River Red Gum Drive + Mungo NP

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE SECOND PART OF THE TRIP IS FULL DUE TO THE CAMPING AVAILABILITY AT THE MUNGO NP.

ONE  SPACE IS   STILL AVAILABLE FOR THE FIRST PART AND POSSIBLY MORE SPACES MAY BE AVAILABLE DEPENDING ON THE   CAMPING  AVAILABLE AT THE YANGA NP. 

Description:   The trip is in two parts. 

The first part is over 4 days commencing from the Barmah National Park, north east of Echuca on the Friday morning and finishing at the Yanga National Park, near Balranald on the Monday afternoon. 

This trip will follow generally the route of the Victorian Iconic 4WD Adventures- River Red Gum Drive, commencing in and exploring the tracks and roads of the Barmah National Park, then travelling downstream along the Murray River to Koondrook- Barham, along the NSW side of the river. At Koondrook-Barham, we cross the river and travel upstream on the Victorian side through the Gunbower National Park to the Torrumbarry Weir, where the drive finishes.  Details of the River Red Gum Drive can be found at - www.4wdvictoria.org.au/iconic4wd/river-red-gum-drive. The River Red Gum Drive follows the Murray River, winding its way through the Murray River floodplain landscapes within the world's largest River Red Gum forests.  Stops will be made along the way at the many points of cultural, historic and natural interest associated with the Murray River.

We then travel back to Koondrook on the Murray Valley Highway via Cohuna and continue to follow the Murray River downstream along back roads to Swan Hill before travelling north to the Yanga National Park, near Balranald. Entry into the park is free.

We will be bush camping on the Friday and Saturday nights at campgrounds along the Murray River and in the Yanga National Park on the Murrumbidgee River on the Sunday night. Camping in the Yanga NP is $6/campsite/night. Upon registration, the trip leader will make  a  booking.

The Yanga National Park is one of the newest parks in NSW. On the Monday morning, we will visit the Yanga Homestead which was the home to one of the Riverina’s most productive pastoral stations. Located in the Yanga National Park and part of the Murrumbidgee Valley National Park, the homestead was built around 1870, along with station outbuildings including stables, a gardener’s shed and station store. There are also rose gardens, restored and maintained by volunteers.  We will also visit the Cook’s Cottage exhibition and wander around the grounds and view the homestead’s unique Murray pine ‘drop log’ design. There is then an opportunity to explore the surrounding area along the Yanga Lake walking track and stand on the viewing deck to see evidence of the lake’s Aboriginal heritage and birdlife. Details of the park can be found at- www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/yanga-national-park.

This first part of the trip will finish on the Monday afternoon allowing sufficient time for those returning home.

The second part is a trip for an additional 2 days, to continue onto the Mungo National Park on the Monday afternoon. When registering, please note in the comments line if you are interested in continuing onto the Mungo National Park

For those continuing onto the second part, we will stay in the Mungo National Park on Monday and Tuesday nights and return to Balranald on the Wednesday afternoon, allowing sufficient time for those returning home. 

Entry fee to the Park is $8/car /day.  There is an optional guided walk of the Walls of China ($50/person).  We plan to do the self-drive (easy standard) tour of Mungo on the Tuesday.

Camping in the Mungo NP is $12 /person/night. Upon registration, the trip leader will make  a  booking..

Within the Mungo National Park, artefacts of the ancient Aboriginal culture have been found within the vicinity of Lake Mungo dating back over 50,000 years across the expanses of the last ice age. This makes Mungo one of the oldest places outside of Africa to have been occupied by modern humans since ancient times. It is where the remains of the Mungo Man were found, dating back some 42,000 year and considered to be the oldest human remains found in Australia.  Details of the Mungo National Park can be found at www.visitmungo.com.au

Covid-19 :  The trip is subject to any State cross border travel restrictions.  A Victorian government travel permit will need to be obtained for cross border travel.  It is applied for and given automatically on-line and lasts for 14 days and provides unlimited access into Victoria during that period.  The Covid situation will be assessed closer to the time.

Weather:  Autumn so expect mild days and cool nights

Equipment:  The River Red Gum Drive is on unsealed forest roads and tracks. However, should wet weather be encountered, normal recovery gear may be required and therefore is to be carried, with vehicles needing to have low range 4WD capability, good all-terrain tyres and be UHF radio equipped. Ideally, a second spare tyre should be carried. Similarly, for the trip to the Mungo NP

Camper trailers or off-road caravans can be taken.

Trip Standard:  Easy. 

Distance:  Approximately 1400 km for the total trip. 

Duration: 4-6 days, depending on the option taken 

Convoy limit: 8 vehicles 

Meeting arrangements:  We will meet at one of the (to be advised) campgrounds within the Barmah National Park, near as possible to the township of Barmah at 9.00am on Friday 2nd April. The campground will be where the trip leaders, who be travelling up on the Thursday, will be staying on the Thursday night. 

Trip Leaders:  Graeme and Carolyn Allen.  Contact Graeme on 0477488434 or at graeme. allen86@gmail.