Wyperfeld National Park Track Tobracky Well
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Wyperfeld National Park Visitor Guide ‘Dalkaiana wartaty dyadangandak’; We are glad that you have come to our Country. This vast Mallee park is a place of endless space with three distinct landscapes each offereing an new experience: Big Desert country to the west; Mallee to the east; and floodplains and shifting sand dunes to the north. Autumn, winter or spring is the best time to visit and there is plenty of country to cover for 4WD enthusiasts. Snowdrift Day Visitors area is 4WD access only and is set alongside one of the largest white sand dunes in the area. Fireplaces, toilet and tables are available. n o t e s Location and access The park is 450 km north-west of Melbourne and Ornithologist Arthur Mattingly describes Wyperfeld as may be reached; “paradise for nature lovers”. It is a place of tranquillity and inspiration for everyone. • via Patchewollock off the Sunraysia Highway • via Hopetoun on the Henty Highway Welcome to Country • via Underbool on the Mallee Highway ‘As I travel through mallee country I feel the Old • via Rainbow from the Western Highway at People with me and I know I am home.’ Suzie Dimboola. Skurrie, Wotjobaluk. A sealed road gives access from Rainbow or Through their rich culture the Wotjobaluk People Hopetoun to Wonga Campground in the have been intrinsically connected to Country - southern park area - the main camping and including the area now known as Victoria and picnic area. the State’s parks and reserves - for tens of Casuarina Campground, in the northern park thousand of years. area, is reached from Patchewollock by 2WD or Parks Victoria recognises this connection and Underbool along Gunners Track or Wonga by 4WD. p a r k acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Aboriginal Communities of these areas. 4WD access from Wonga Campground to Pine Plains area - check with rangers about current Enjoying the park track conditions, call 13 1963. Driving Wyperfeld park information 2WD and 4WD vehicles can use the park. Day A visit to the park information centre at Wonga visitors and campers can enjoy the James Barret Campground helps to ensure you get the most Nature Drive in the south, while 4WDs may enjoy from your stay. Displays include insights into the a visit to the snow-white sand dunes of Snowdrift industrious Malleefowl, along with general in the north at Pine Plains area. natural and cultural history. Be fire ready, stay safe Facilities and accommodation Be aware of the forecast Fire Danger Rating for this Campground facilities include picnic tables, fireplaces and toilets. General supplies and area when planning your trip. Plan to leave early on accommodation are available in Hopetoun, hot, dry and windy days, as these conditions may Rainbow, Patchewollock, Walpeup, Underbool cause the closure of some park areas for public and O’Sullivans Pine Plain Lodge. Camping fees safety. apply only at Wonga Campground. Before you visit a park check the latest conditions by Healthy Parks Healthy People Wonga Campground in the southern end of the calling 13 1963 or visit www.parkweb.vic.gov.au. park is spacious and has a Park Information Visiting a park can improve Centre, three self-guided interpretive walks, a For updated information on fires in Victoria or general your health, mind, body and scenic nature drive and basic camping facilities. fire safety advice, please call the Victorian Bushfire soul. So, with over four million Information Line on 1800 240 667 or listen to a Casuarina Campground in the northern Pine hectares of parkland available local ABC/ACE radio station or visit to Victorians, why not escape Plains area of the park is set amid Pine-Buloke to a park today! woodlands and vast open lakebeds surrounded www.CFA.vic.gov.au. by Mallee sand dunes and a circular-walking track to Bracky Well. For more information call the Parks Victoria Information Centre on 13 1963 or visit our website at www.parkweb.vic.gov.au Drive along James Barrett Nature James Barrett JAMES James Barrett BARRETT Drinking Water: Be self-sufficient and carry water in, and/or know how to make untreated water safe for drinking. For further information Murray Sunset National Park Parks Victoria Remote area access Stretching from the Murray River south to the Information Centre Looking for 4WD opportunities? Call in at the Pink Lakes, this park is one of the world’s few 13 1963 park office to check routes and track conditions. or visit the remaining relatively untouched semi-arid Parks Victoria website Access to the remote western park areas is via regions. It has a wealth of animal and bird life, www.parkweb.vic.gov.au Murrayville-Nhill Road, but check with rangers Red and Western Grey kangaroos, vast Wyperfeld National Park for current track conditions, especially after wet landscapes offering breathtaking sunsets and RMB 1465 weather and during high fire danger periods. starry nights. 4WD vehicles are best here. Lindsay Island is in the northwest corner of of Yaapeet Vic 3424 Caution: On the following tracks, vehicles must Tel: (03) 5395 7221 the park - enjoy fishing and yabbying in have good ground clearance, as tracks are deep billabongs and creeks of the Lindsay River Mildura sand and narrow. Smaller 4WD vehicles may system. Visitor Information have difficulty: North South Access, Milmed (Alfred Deakin Centre) 180-190 Deakin Avenue Rock, Chinamans Well, Gunners and North Hattah - Kulkyne National Park and Mildura Vic 3500 Callitris Track. Murray - Kulkyne Park Ph: (03) 5021 4424 Please note: No vans or trailers. Freecall 1800 039 043 These delightful parks feature the merging of Email: rolling mallee dunes with the Murray River. [email protected] People, plants and animals Other features include a series of tranquil lakes Horsham The Wotjobaluk People regularly travelled along (intermittent) which are protected under the Visitor Information Centre ‘Tyakil-ba-Tyakil’ (Outlet Creek) visiting lakes Ramsar Convention, a heritage style Visitor 20 O’Callaghan Parade and swamps, as they travelled their region. Information Centre, nature drive and self-guided Horsham Vic 3400 European settlers followed the same route to nature walk. When flooded, enjoy great Tel: (03) 5382 1832 establish pastoral runs from the 1860s. The opportunities for canoeing, walking, picnicking or Freecall 1800 633 218 usually dry Outlet Creek snakes its way through just relaxing in the great open spaces. the centre of the park. Lake Hindmarsh to the Caring for the Lake Albacutya Park n o t e s environment south fills and overflows into this creek system. Adjoins the southern end of Wyperfeld National Pressure from naturalists inspired the Help us look after your Park. When flooded the lake is a significant parks by following these government to reserve 3,900 hectares in 1909. wetland, recognised under the RAMSAR guidelines: Wyperfeld National Park was proclaimed in 1921 Convention for protection of wetlands and Please take rubbish home and now covers 360,000ha. The name is of migratory birds. with you for recycling & German origin and was probably given by disposal German settlers who came to the Big Desert Wilderness Park Dogs and other pets are not Wimmera/Mallee from South Australia. One of the most remote and least disturbed permitted in the park Spring is the best time to see wildflowers, areas in Victoria protecting 142,300 hectares of Firearms, generators and although in dry years the displays may not be as the Mallee. Vehicles are not permitted and 4WD chainsaws are prohibited spectacular. Around 450 species of native plants access through the Big Desert outside the Light fires only in fireplaces occur in Wyperfeld and many are in distinct Wilderness Park is via the Murrayville Track. provided. Keep fires small communities. Bushwalkers must be experienced and self - to reduce habitat disturbance. Gas or fuel River Red Gum and Black Box woodlands cover reliant stoves are preferred the floodplains of Outlet Creek and its lakes, Lake Hindmarsh Reserve while Pine-Buloke grow on nearby dunes. p a r k No fires, (including gas or When full, this is Victoria’s largest body of fresh fuel stoves in tents, Mallee eucalypts cover most of the eastern water, fringed by River Red Gums and host to campers and caravans) section of the park, with rolling sand plains may be lit on days of waterbirds. Enjoy boating, fishing and swimming. covered with heathland in the western section. A Access from Rainbow or Jeparit. Check for Total Fire Ban. birdwatcher’s delight, Wyperfeld has recorded Wyperfeld National Park is current conditions before visiting - it may be dry! in the North Western over 200 species. Total Fire Ban District Little Desert National Park Keep to tracks, for your own Bearded Dragon Most famous for its Malleefowl. Features the safety and to protect soils Wimmera River at Dimboola, Mallee dunes and and vegetation wonderful spring wildflowers. Opportunities for Mobile phones: you may walking, 4WD and birdwatching abound. Enter not be in network range in the park via Western Highway at either some park areas. To be Dimboola or Kiata (the main campground). connected to emergency Exploring the Mallee region services call 000. The Victorian Mallee parks cover over one Get Involved - hands on! If you are not in range dial 112 then press the million hectares and are extremely important for Hanging out with friends can be good for your ‘Yes’ key. nature conservation because of their relatively mind, body and soul. Restoring habitat diversity undisturbed state. can have healthy benefits to you and your community and volunteering is a great way to Autumn, winter and spring are the best times to visit. The main picnic and camping areas are get involved in your environment.