The game reserve occupies land in sections 474, 475 and 476 in the cadastral unit of the Hundred of Moorook which covers Wachtels Lagoon and low-lying land to the south-east.[1][3] It was proclaimed on 2 September 1976 under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972.[3] The Loch Luna Game Reserve immediately adjoins the game reserve's northern boundary. It and the Loch Luna Game Reserve are reported as providing "significant wildlife habitat and are popular recreation sites, particularly for river-based activities and camping".[5] As of 2018, it covered an area of 12.44 square kilometres (4.80 sq mi).[4]
In 1980, the game reserve was described as follows:[6]
Moorook Game Reserve is an area of wetland habitat in the River Murray floodplain 9kms west of Barmera (3km south of Kingston-on-Murray). It has been reserved for the management and conservation of waterfowl, particularly native game species. Shooting of some species is permitted during restricted open seasons…
Moorook Game Reserve encompasses a large open swamp, Wachtel's Lagoon, fringed by river red gums (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) and river box (Eucalyptus largiflorens). It is situated on the western bank of the River Murray, 3km. south of Kingston-on-Murray. Development of a small area of the Reserve for controlled production of waterfowl food crops is planned for the near future. These crops will be grown in the southwestern corner of the Reserve…
Mostly unmodified, although irrigation drainage and some local effluent seep into one corner of the Reserve.
