Barmah State Forest The Barmah State Forest is located in the Murray Daring Basin, and runs along the Murray River in Victoria. It includes the town of Barmah, with surrounding towns such as Nathalia (22 km from Barmah), Strathmerton, Echuca (33 km from Barmah), Shepparton (63 km from Barmah) and Numurkah close by. Historically the Barmah State Forest was occupied by the Yorta Yorta indigenous tribe. Today there is a small indigenous settlement across the Murray River in New South Wales, while a small township of Barmah remains in the area. The Barmah State Forest is administered by National Parks and Wildlife but prior to 2010 it was under the authority of the state. This change in management altered many recreational and industrial uses of the area. In 1878 the Barmah common was established, then in 1882 it was handed over to the farmers in the region to manage. For years cattle grazed the areas around the forest and each year a large muster took place in which the cattle were sorted into each owner's pens and the young cattle released back to graze for another year. Today the park is used for multiple recreational activities, including boating, fishing, camping, river cruises, bush walking, and is home to a large number of natural flora and fauna, as well as Aboriginal cultural and historical sites. The forest is mainly Redgum trees, which regenerate only after floods. Before the area was declared a national park the Redgums were logged, and cut to sleepers which were used for railway lines and the wood used to fire paddle steamers. .