The natural and man-made attractions of Canunda National Park were recently explored by 192 students from schools across the region.

The Friends of Canunda and Beachport Parks combined with staff from the Department for Environment and Water and organised a successful on-park event entitled, “March into May” held near Lake Bonney.

Ever since the first march in 2003, the aim of the event near the Coola Outstation has been to provide the students with environmental education in a variety of settings in the national park, as well as to have fun and increase their fitness level.

The activity involved walking an interesting 8.5km walking trail loop to the ruins of the historic Coola outstation with students stopping at several sites along the way. At these stops, a Friends of Canunda and Beachport Parks volunteer or a DEW staff member explained the historical or environmental aspects of that site.

Talks about Indigenous culture were also given along with a presentation by the Friends of Shorebirds South East. Upper primary students attended from schools in Mount Gambier, Kangaroo Inn and Beachport.

The annual event was cancelled in 2020 owing to COVID protocols.