Hermann Gass Bird Sanctuary - Mannum

The Hermann Gass Bird Sanctuary is a wetland area on the banks of the Murray River at Mannum, South Australia. This area is protected from the main river channel by gum trees and reeds and is home to a variety of bird life.

We were staying at the Mannum Caravan Park and set out to explore the Hermann Gass Bird Sanctuary on the Fanatic Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board (SUP).  What a beautiful place to explore and as you can see from the photos we saw a lovely family of swans among the grass. Canoes are available for hire in Mannum and this another great way to explore this quiet part of the Murray River - remember that you will need to wear a life jacket.

The Bird Sanctuary can also be accessed form Purnong Road where there is plenty of car parking available and a boardwalk with viewing platform built out from the banks of the river. What a peaceful spot to sit and enjoy the scenery. The parkland along the river has shaded picnic tables and garbage bins.

Hermann Gass was the Manager of the Mannum Club and during his retirement he would come down to this spot to feed the pelicans and the sanctuary was aptly named after him.