About the Sanctuary

Along Adelaide's northern coastline lies one of Australia's most important coastal landscapes. Stretching from Barker Inlet to Price on the Yorke Peninsula, the Adelaide International Bird Sanctuary is a place where mudflats, mangroves, saltmarsh and tidal wetlands support an extraordinary diversity of wildlife.

Each year, more than 29,000 migratory shorebirds travel over 12,000 kilometres from Alaska, Siberia, Mongolia and northern China to feed and rest here before beginning their return journey north. The sanctuary also provides vital habitat for resident birds and countless other plants and animals, making it a recognised Key Biodiversity Area and an important link in the East Asian–Australasian Flyway.

The National Park

At the heart of the sanctuary lies the Adelaide International Bird Sanctuary National Park – Winaityinaityi Pangkara, a Kaurna name meaning Country of the Birds.

Extending from St Kilda to Parham, the National Park protects over 14,000 hectares of tidal mudflats, mangroves, saltmarsh, samphire and coastal wetlands. These habitats provide essential feeding and roosting areas for migratory shorebirds, as well as many resident birds and native wildlife.

The National Park plays a vital role in conserving these unique coastal ecosystems while providing opportunities for people to explore, learn and connect with nature.