Air Adventure Australia

Destination Profile - Naracoorte, South Australia

Located in the Limestone Coast region, Naracoorte and its surrounds offer the visitor a variety of attractions from the breathtaking scenery, abundance of wildlife, wetlands of international importance and South Australia's only World Heritage Area. It is home to the largest living red gum, the biggest Field Days, fresh local produce, fine wine and unique attractions.

Naracoorte was named in 1869, following a decision to merge the two neighbouring towns of 'Narracoorte' and 'Kincraig'. Its name is believed to have been derived from the Potaruwutjil word 'ngarankort', meaning 'the place of the stone axe'. The Aboriginal people traded these and other tools during ceremonies at nearby swamplands over many hundred of years.The Park preserves 600 hectares of remnant vegetation, with 26 caves contained within the 305 hectare World Heritage Area.

The Naracoorte Caves World Heritage inscription recognises the extensive fossil record of the park. The caves have acted as pitfall traps, collecting animals for at least 500,000 years, preserving the most complete fossil record we have for this period of time.

There are 26 known caves at the National Park. Many of them contain extensive speleothem development (such as stalactites and stalagmites). They provide important habitats for bats and other cave-dwelling creatures.

Bool Lagoon

Located only 21 kms south of Naracoorte is this bird lover's and photographer's paradise. This Wetland of International Importance contains one of the largest and most diverse freshwater lagoon systems in South Australia, containing one of the most significant bird habitats in the country. With the spectacular brolga just one of 155 recorded species known to inhabit the lagoon, there are specially created boardwalks and bird hides to enable the visitor the ability to observe the wildlife at a closer range.

Bool Lagoon comprises three interlinked basins, with the water in the wetlands artificially manipulated, being used as an equalisation basin for flood mitigation, acting as a sump for the catchment. The wetland dry out about once every two years.

This destination is part of the Unseen Centre Australian Adventure.