The Mallala coastline is also a place of high environmental importance. Our beaches, tidal creeks and sabkahs provide suitable habitat for thousands of migratory and resident shorebirds and is an important terminal summer feeding area the migratory shorebirds.  Large areas of saltmarsh and mangroves are important for areas for fish, reptiles and birds such as the rare Samphire Thornbill.

In 2013, coastal land within the Adelaide Plains Council was identified for inclusion within a 60 kilometre bird sanctuary stretching along Adelaide’s northern coast.

International Bird Sanctuary Website

Adelaide International Bird Sanctuary Goes Virtual

To celebrate the 2019 Adelaide Shorebird and Dolphin Festival, NRM Education is pleased to launch the Adelaide International Bird Sanctuary (AIBS) - Winaityinaityi Pangkara - Virtual Tour. The online tour uses 360° photographs (called photospheres) to showcase the range of habitats and features that can be found within the sanctuary. Key locations featured in the tour include Thompson Beach, Port Gawler and St. Kilda.

The virtual tour has been created as a resource for educators (but is also applicable and useful for the general public) to assist with student learning in the outdoors. Each 360° photosphere contains information specific to the site, links and suggestions for further resources and a set of provocation questions. The provocation questions are designed to get students critically thinking, researching and discussing issues relevant to the AIBS and further afield. Educators can use the virtual tour as a pre and post excursion resource. It is also a great resource for students to use in the classroom who may be unable to travel to the AIBS in person.

Click here to view the virtual tour.