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List of islands within the Murray River in South Australia facts for kids

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The Murray River is Australia's longest river, and it flows through South Australia before reaching the ocean. Along its path, especially near its mouth and in the lakes it connects to, you can find many interesting islands! This list will take you on a journey to discover these islands, from the river's end at Encounter Bay all the way to where South Australia meets New South Wales and Victoria. We'll also explore islands in the nearby lakes: the Coorong, Lake Albert, and Lake Alexandrina.

LowerLakes2004
Aerial view of Lakes Albert and Alexandrina, showing where the river meets the lakes.

Islands in the Coorong

The Coorong is a long, shallow lagoon system that runs parallel to the coast, connected to the Murray River mouth. It's a special place, and all the islands listed here are part of the Coorong National Park, protecting their unique environment. The islands are listed from west to east.

Name Location Fun Facts
Sam Island 35°44′42″S 139°14′31″E / 35.74496787°S 139.24189437°E / -35.74496787; 139.24189437 (Sam Island)
Needles Island 35°50′39″S 139°21′17″E / 35.84407827°S 139.35480084°E / -35.84407827; 139.35480084 (Needles Island)
Goat Island 35°50′50″S 139°20′52″E / 35.84723052°S 139.34768843°E / -35.84723052; 139.34768843 (Goat Island)
Snake Island 35°51′02″S 139°21′57″E / 35.850670°S 139.365840°E / -35.850670; 139.365840 (Snake Island)
Rabbit Island 35°51′37″S 139°22′42″E / 35.860210°S 139.3784°E / -35.860210; 139.3784 (Rabbit Island)
Bluff Island 35°53′03″S 139°23′22″E / 35.884060°S 139.3895°E / -35.884060; 139.3895 (Bluff Island)
Bull Island 35°54′56″S 139°25′18″E / 35.915620°S 139.421670°E / -35.915620; 139.421670 (Bull Island)
Cow Island 35°55′52″S 139°27′03″E / 35.93104990°S 139.45079703°E / -35.93104990; 139.45079703 (Cow Island)
Long Island 35°56′08″S 139°27′27″E / 35.935640°S 139.457560°E / -35.935640; 139.457560 (Long Island)
Round Island 35°56′28″S 139°27′44″E / 35.941030°S 139.462180°E / -35.941030; 139.462180 (Round Island)
Swan Island 35°56′40″S 139°28′09″E / 35.944510°S 139.469190°E / -35.944510; 139.469190 (Swan Island)
Stony Well Island 35°57′44″S 139°29′28″E / 35.962280°S 139.491090°E / -35.962280; 139.491090 (Stony Well Island)
Cattle Island 36°00′25″S 139°32′04″E / 36.00705859°S 139.53448578°E / -36.00705859; 139.53448578 (Cattle Island)
Teal Island 36°02′13″S 139°33′30″E / 36.036880°S 139.558470°E / -36.036880; 139.558470 (Teal Island)
North Pelican Island 36°02′40″S 139°33′31″E / 36.04435402°S 139.55871543°E / -36.04435402; 139.55871543 (North Pelican Island)
Halfway Island 36°03′06″S 139°34′01″E / 36.05166457°S 139.56690284°E / -36.05166457; 139.56690284 (Halfway Island)
Pelican Island 36°03′27″S 139°33′48″E / 36.057460°S 139.563460°E / -36.057460; 139.563460 (Pelican Island)
Mellor Island 36°04′06″S 139°34′30″E / 36.068370°S 139.574870°E / -36.068370; 139.574870 (Mellor Island)
Seagull Island 36°05′03″S 139°35′25″E / 36.084270°S 139.590410°E / -36.084270; 139.590410 (Seagull Island)
Wild Dog Island 36°07′24″S 139°37′41″E / 36.123280°S 139.627990°E / -36.123280; 139.627990 (Wild Dog Island)

Islands in Lake Albert

Lake Albert is a freshwater lake connected to Lake Alexandrina. It has one main island.

Name Location Fun Facts
Bascombe Island 35°43′35″S 139°15′49″E / 35.72648039°S 139.26348163°E / -35.72648039; 139.26348163 (Bascombe Island) This island is found in a bay at the southern end of the lake, called Bascombe Bay.

Islands in Lake Alexandrina

Lake Alexandrina is a large freshwater lake where the Murray River spreads out before reaching the ocean. Many islands are found here, especially near the southern end.

Name Location Fun Facts
Goose Island 35°29′30″S 138°49′53″E / 35.49172152°S 138.83152770°E / -35.49172152; 138.83152770 (Goose Island) This island was covered by water when barrages (special dams) were built in the 1930s to control water levels. It's part of the Currency Creek Game Reserve.
Billygoat Islands 35°29′18″S 138°50′11″E / 35.48844308°S 138.83643637°E / -35.48844308; 138.83643637 (Billygoat Islands) This is a group of small islands. Many of them were also covered by water after the barrages were built. They are also within the Currency Creek Game Reserve.
Reedy Island 35°31′53″S 138°50′39″E / 35.531270°S 138.844230°E / -35.531270; 138.844230 (Reedy Island) Located in the Goolwa Channel, south of Hindmarsh Island, and within the Coorong National Park.
Rushy Island 35°32′08″S 138°50′59″E / 35.535440°S 138.849680°E / -35.535440; 138.849680 (Rushy Island) Also in the Goolwa Channel, south of Hindmarsh Island, and part of the Coorong National Park.
Hindmarsh Island 35°30′58″S 138°52′34″E / 35.51618332°S 138.87616566°E / -35.51618332; 138.87616566 (Hindmarsh Island) This is a well-known island in the lake.
Bird Island 35°33′10″S 138°53′44″E / 35.55288311°S 138.89542664°E / -35.55288311; 138.89542664 (Bird Island) Found in the Coorong Channel, south of Hindmarsh Island, and within the Coorong National Park. It's also known as Gull Island.
Varcoe Island 35°32′31″S 138°54′04″E / 35.541960°S 138.901010°E / -35.541960; 138.901010 (Varcoe Island) Located in the Mundoo Channel, between Hindmarsh and Mundoo Islands.
Lucerne Island 35°31′54″S 138°55′31″E / 35.53156940°S 138.92519926°E / -35.53156940; 138.92519926 (Lucerne Island)
Mundoo Island 35°32′47″S 138°56′02″E / 35.546510°S 138.9339°E / -35.546510; 138.9339 (Mundoo Island)
Goose Island 35°30′05″S 138°56′09″E / 35.50127164°S 138.93570995°E / -35.50127164; 138.93570995 (Goose Island) Located east of the town of Clayton Bay.
Goat Island 35°30′15″S 138°56′37″E / 35.504110°S 138.943560°E / -35.504110; 138.943560 (Goat Island) Also located east of Clayton Bay.
Ewe Island 35°33′23″S 138°56′49″E / 35.556260°S 138.947020°E / -35.556260; 138.947020 (Ewe Island) In 1877, this island and Long Island were thought to be one island called Reedy Island.
Rat Island 35°31′13″S 138°57′33″E / 35.520140°S 138.959110°E / -35.520140; 138.959110 (Rat Island) Sometimes called Ram Island.
Long Island 35°32′15″S 138°59′06″E / 35.537480°S 138.98487346°E / -35.537480; 138.98487346 (Long Island) Also known as Ram Island and Grindstone Island. Like Ewe Island, it was once considered part of a larger Reedy Island.
Tauwitchere Island 35°34′28″S 138°59′22″E / 35.574560°S 138.989540°E / -35.574560; 138.989540 (Tauwitchere Island) This island has an area of about 144 hectares (356 acres). It's also known by names like Towagery and Talwadjeri Island.
Myrtle Island 35°34′08″S 138°59′32″E / 35.5689°S 138.992280°E / -35.5689; 138.992280 (Myrtle Island) Found within the Mud Islands Game Reserve.
Snake Island 35°33′41″S 138°59′49″E / 35.56143004°S 138.99698025°E / -35.56143004; 138.99698025 (Snake Island)
Mud Island 35°33′51″S 139°00′43″E / 35.564130°S 139.011910°E / -35.564130; 139.011910 (Mud Island) This island is about 17 hectares (43 acres) and is part of the Mud Island Game Reserve.
Reedy Island No 2 35°33′22″S 139°00′43″E / 35.5560°S 139.012070°E / -35.5560; 139.012070 (Reedy Island No 2)
Pomanda Island 35°24′58″S 139°18′29″E / 35.41600826°S 139.30799221°E / -35.41600826; 139.30799221 (Pomanda Island) Located just south of where the Murray River flows into Lake Alexandrina.

Islands from Wellington to Morgan

This section lists islands found in the main channel of the Murray River, moving from the town of Wellington north to the town of Morgan.

Name Location Fun Facts
Miss Gawler Island 35°08′50″S 139°18′35″E / 35.14728707°S 139.30978°E / -35.14728707; 139.30978 (Miss Gawler Island) This island is located southeast of Murray Bridge and sits right under the Swanport Bridge.
Long Island 35°07′48″S 139°17′59″E / 35.130070°S 139.299730°E / -35.130070; 139.299730 (Long Island) This island is directly opposite Murray Bridge and is part of the Long Island Recreation Park. The Ngarrindjeri people, who are the traditional owners of this land, consider this island to be very important culturally.
Nott Island 34°22′44″S 139°37′30″E / 34.37875552°S 139.62503174°E / -34.37875552; 139.62503174 (Nott Island) Located about 3 kilometers (2 miles) south of the town of Blanchetown.
Reedy Island 34°17′43″S 139°38′12″E / 34.29535698°S 139.63662083°E / -34.29535698; 139.63662083 (Reedy Island) About 7 kilometers (4 miles) north of Blanchetown, it's across the river from the Roonka Conservation Park and just south of Julia Island.
Julia Island 34°17′30″S 139°38′24″E / 34.291560°S 139.639870°E / -34.291560; 139.639870 (Julia Island) Right next to Reedy Island and also across the river from the Roonka Conservation Park.

Islands from Morgan to the Border

This section covers islands in the Murray River channel from the town of Morgan all the way to the borders with New South Wales and Victoria.

Name Location Fun Facts
Hart Island 34°10′33″S 140°03′17″E / 34.17590386°S 140.05461270°E / -34.17590386; 140.05461270 (Hart Island) East of Waikerie. It used to be called Wigleys Island and has been known by its current name since at least 1888, possibly named after a pastoralist (someone who raises livestock) named J. Hart.
Sandy Island 34°10′57″S 140°05′04″E / 34.182510°S 140.084360°E / -34.182510; 140.084360 (Sandy Island) This island was shown on an atlas from 1877, but as of 2015, it wasn't on "current mapping."
Ball Island 34°10′59″S 140°20′27″E / 34.183180°S 140.340790°E / -34.183180; 140.340790 (Ball Island)
Thurk Island 34°13′05″S 140°22′02″E / 34.21804118°S 140.36710836°E / -34.21804118; 140.36710836 (Thurk Island) East of Kingston-on-Murray and across from the Loch Luna Game Reserve. It was once known as Chambers Island.
Moorook Island 34°17′13″S 140°22′12″E / 34.28693766°S 140.36996279°E / -34.28693766; 140.36996279 (Moorook Island) Located opposite the town of Moorook. Also known as Moorook Isle or Moorik Isle.
Nynes Island 34°19′58″S 140°23′11″E / 34.33285356°S 140.38643302°E / -34.33285356; 140.38643302 (Nynes Island) Previously known as Pyap Island.
Forbys Island 34°26′36″S 140°30′00″E / 34.44320925°S 140.50006195°E / -34.44320925; 140.50006195 (Forbys Island)
Katarapko Island 34°24′20″S 140°33′22″E / 34.40566248°S 140.55608657°E / -34.40566248; 140.55608657 (Kataropko Island) This island is part of the Murray River National Park. It used to be called Cragg Island.
Kapunda Island 34°26′54″S 140°33′36″E / 34.44846740°S 140.55998258°E / -34.44846740; 140.55998258 (Kapunda Island) Located northwest of Loxton and within the Kapunda Island Conservation Park. In 1994, it was reported to be about 1 hectare (2.5 acres) in size and only reachable by boat.
Rilli Island 34°23′37″S 140°34′40″E / 34.39356053°S 140.57769733°E / -34.39356053; 140.57769733 (Rilli Island) Part of the Rilli Island Conservation Park. It was also known as Riley Island. In 1994, it was about 4 hectares (10 acres) and usually only accessible by boat, unless the river was very low, then you could walk to it from the south bank.
Media Island 34°25′46″S 140°35′17″E / 34.429540°S 140.588180°E / -34.429540; 140.588180 (Media Island) Southeast of Loxton and within the Media Island Conservation Park. It was called Medea Island. In 1994, it was about 1 hectare (2.5 acres) and also mostly accessible by boat, or by foot during low river flows.
Punkey Island 34°15′15″S 140°42′24″E / 34.25412471°S 140.70654564°E / -34.25412471; 140.70654564 (Punkey Island) Also known as Penky Island.
Cemlell Island 34°14′20″S 140°42′27″E / 34.238870°S 140.707420°E / -34.238870; 140.707420 (Cumlell Island) Also known as Gumlell Island.
Muklemuk Island 34°14′11″S 140°43′52″E / 34.236460°S 140.731150°E / -34.236460; 140.731150 (Muklemuk Island) Also known as Muckle Muk Island.
Reny Island 34°03′33″S 140°44′09″E / 34.05910722°S 140.73577007°E / -34.05910722; 140.73577007 (Reny Island)
Nelbuck Island 34°06′05″S 140°44′47″E / 34.10144157°S 140.74633239°E / -34.10144157; 140.74633239 (Nelbuck Island) This island is next to Bulyong Island and was officially named in 1996 by the Minister of Environment.
Nelwart Island 34°12′55″S 140°44′56″E / 34.215280°S 140.749°E / -34.215280; 140.749 (Nelwort Island) Also called Nelwart Island.
Goat Island 34°11′14″S 140°45′08″E / 34.18720150°S 140.75220533°E / -34.18720150; 140.75220533 (Goat Island)
Bulyong Island 34°07′21″S 140°45′51″E / 34.122540°S 140.764160°E / -34.122540; 140.764160 (Bulyong Island) This island is part of the Murray River National Park.
Kylie Island 34°08′12″S 140°45′51″E / 34.13679281°S 140.76420893°E / -34.13679281; 140.76420893 (Kylie Island) Its name comes from the last name of the people who owned the land.
Causeway Island 34°10′08″S 140°45′56″E / 34.168880°S 140.765420°E / -34.168880; 140.765420 (Causeway Island)
Longwang Island 34°08′53″S 140°46′15″E / 34.14815204°S 140.77084040°E / -34.14815204; 140.77084040 (Longwang Island)
Sandy Island 34°15′20″S 140°47′34″E / 34.255650°S 140.7927°E / -34.255650; 140.7927 (Sandy Island) Also known as Sandy Ridge.
Hunchee Island 34°03′07″S 140°47′36″E / 34.051840°S 140.7933°E / -34.051840; 140.7933 (Hunchee Island)
Little Hunchee Island 34°01′57″S 140°49′28″E / 34.03257899°S 140.82436519°E / -34.03257899; 140.82436519 (Little Hunchee Island) Part of the Chowilla Game Reserve.
Chowilla Island 33°59′19″S 140°52′44″E / 33.98870183°S 140.87895483°E / -33.98870183; 140.87895483 (Chowilla Island) Located within the Chowilla Game Reserve.
Monoman Island 33°59′19″S 140°52′44″E / 33.98870183°S 140.87895483°E / -33.98870183; 140.87895483 (Monoman Island) Also located within the Chowilla Game Reserve.
Reedy Island 33°57′51″S 140°54′15″E / 33.964280°S 140.9043°E / -33.964280; 140.9043 (Reedy Island) Found within the Chowilla Game Reserve.
Boat Creek Island 33°57′09″S 140°54′45″E / 33.952530°S 140.912580°E / -33.952530; 140.912580 (Boat Creek Island) Located within the Chowilla Game Reserve.
Slaney Island 33°57′00″S 140°55′51″E / 33.949990°S 140.930850°E / -33.949990; 140.930850 (Slaney Island) Part of the Chowilla Game Reserve. Also known as Stanley Island.
Newena Island 33°57′44″S 140°55′55″E / 33.96218883°S 140.93196606°E / -33.96218883; 140.93196606 (Newena Island) Located within the Chowilla Game Reserve; also called the Isle of Man.
Punkah Island 33°56′45″S 140°58′04″E / 33.945940°S 140.967860°E / -33.945940; 140.967860 (Punkah Island) Found within the Chowilla Game Reserve.
Wilpena Island 33°59′50″S 140°59′00″E / 33.99718402°S 140.98329388°E / -33.99718402; 140.98329388 (Wilpena Island) Located within the Chowilla Game Reserve.
Grand Junction Island 33°58′50″S 140°59′22″E / 33.980640°S 140.989340°E / -33.980640; 140.989340 (Grand Junction Island) Part of the Chowilla Game Reserve.
Hypurna Island 34°00′12″S 140°59′57″E / 34.00344271°S 140.99915737°E / -34.00344271; 140.99915737 (Hypurna Island) This island is partly in the Chowilla Game Reserve and also sits right on the border with New South Wales.

Images for kids

  • Aerial view of River Murray barrages with superimposed text - PRG-1258-2-546

    Aerial view from the east showing island system adjoining Murray Mouth including locations of barrages (State Library of South Australia - PRG-1258/2/546)

  • Aerial - Goolwa

    Aerial photo of Goolwa, South Australia with Hindmarsh Island on the left side of image

  • River Murray meets Lake Alexandrina at Pomanda Island, South Australia - Feb 2012

    Pomanda Island (at bottom of image)

  • Long Island, Murray Bridge (B 26826)

    Cattle grazing at Long Island, circa 1900 (State Library of South Australia (B 26826)

  • Aerial view of Murray Bridge (B 11533)

    Aerial view of Murray Bridge from the south including the north end of Long Island, circa 1920 (State Library of South Australia B 11533)

  • Swanport Bridge

    Miss Gawler Island is located below the Swanport Bridge

  • Murray River, overlooking Chowilla floodplain from Headings Cliffs, South Australia

    Hunchee Island viewed from Headings Cliff on the opposite of the Murray River.

  • LoxtonRiverMurray

    Katarapko Island as viewed from Loxton.

  • CSIRO ScienceImage 4403 View of Punkah Creek Chowilla SA

    View of Punkah Creek showing both Punkah Island and the mainland.

See also

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List of islands within the Murray River in South Australia Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.