MurrayRiverParklands
CampingGuide
The Murray River, with its majestic River Red Gums, sandy beaches and a large variety of wildlife,provides the ideal backdrop for camping and a range of water-based recreation. You can help protect the river environment, and enhance the enjoyment and safety of visitors by following a few simple guidelines.
“The Murray River is hometo this speedy birdof prey.”
Peregrine Falcon For thousandsofyears, local indigenous people
have livedalong the Murray River. When exploringyoumaydiscover shell middens (kitchen hearths), burials andscar trees testifying to a rich human historyspanning more than 10,000years. Please respect these Australian heritage sites –protected by law.
Today, the Murrayis a major source of domestic water for around 1.25 million people and is often referred to as the “food bowl”of Australia. Some products of Murrayirrigation include fruit (fresh, dried, cannedand juiced), dairyproduce, vegetables, rice and other cereals,wine, meat and vegetableoil, many ofwhich are exported.
Keeping the Parklands cleanis important to ensure the qualityof this food andwater. The enclosedguidelineswillhelpyou to protect the environment, and enhanceyour enjoyment and safety whilst visiting these magnificent Parklands.
“A clean and healthy environment equals a clean and healthy water and food supply.”
EnjoyingtheRiver Parklands
Walking, cycling, birdwatching, fishing, boating, scenic drives and campingare just some of the popular activities along the river.
Preparing the ideal holiday
Camping opportunities along the River range from formal campgroundswith facilities to basic bush camping.
Beforeyou leave home, decide on the type of camping thatyouwantto do and prepare accordingly.
Many of the sites listed haveseparate Parknotes providing moredetailed information.
Just a click away-Use Parkwebto planyour visit.Access and download information about parks, rivers and bays - print parknotesand discoverwho the local tour guides are.
Ahavenforplantsandanimals
The MurrayRiver Parklands, withtheir majestic River Red Gums and forestsprovide an important habitat for a variety of plants and animals. Kangaroos, emus and koalas are common.
Over 200 species of birds have been recorded and the river isone of the largest breeding grounds forwaterbirds in Victoria. The river is also a breeding ground for native fish species such as the MurrayCod andGolden Perch.
FormoreinformationcalltheParksVictoriaInformationCentre
on131963orvisitourwebsiteat
RegulationsandGuidelines
Following these simple guidelineswill ensure thosewho visit afteryouwill enjoytheir stay.
“Thebestcampsitesarefound,notmade”
Campsites
•All camps mustbe at least 20metresfrom anywaterway
•Camping is not permitted in designated “Day Visitor” areas or licensedwater frontagesadjacent to private property
•Permanent structures or camps and unauthorisedworks are not permitted
•Maintainyour campsite ina clean and tidymanner at all times and ensure that all traces of litter are removed prior to leaving
Toilets
•Satisfactorytoilet facilities must be provided
•Portable chemical toilets are recommended
•Earth pit toiletsare permitted,but must be located at least 100 metresfrom the high bank of any waterway and must be backfilled prior to leaving.
Fires
Campers are encouraged to use gas stoveswherever possible. Smallfires are permitted forwarmthand cooking, provided the following regulations are followed:
•No fires, including gas barbecues, stoves, fridges and lights, are to be lit on a day ofTotal Fire Ban.
•Fires must only be lit in a properlyconstructed fireplace or pit 30cm deep.
•Trenches must be backfilled before leaving the campsite.
•All flammablematerial,withina 3-metre area, must be cleared and the fire must be no larger than1 metrein diameter.
•Fires must not be left unattended.
•Fires must be completelyextinguishedwithwater before leaving the campsite.
•Generators should have a 1.5 metreclearance of flammable material right around them.
•Avoid lighting fires onwindy days.
“Whenitiscooltotouchitissafetoleave!”
Rubbish- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Every year, over 6,000 cubicmetresof rubbish is removed from the Parklands. That’s 25,000wheelie bins. Most parks operate undera “Carry in, Carryout” policy,which means that anythingyou bring into the parkmust be taken home, to the local tip, or a designatedrubbish collectionpoint.
•Do not burn orbury rubbish as animals can dig it up afteryou leave
•Avoid glass containers – broken glass can cause serious injuries. Use canswhere possibleas theycan be crushed and recycled
•Tryto avoid plastic and polystyrene packaging that is not recyclable or biodegradable
•Always bring strong rubbish bagswithyou.
Vehicles
•All vehicles, including motorbikes, may onlybe usedon formed open roads
•Driving off-road is an offence and fines apply
•Drivers must be licensedandvehicles registered and roadworthy
•Normal traffic laws apply
•Remember that drivers,walkers, bike ridersand horse riders can all share the sametracks in the park
Dogs and other pets
Ensure thatyou andyour pets enjoy your holiday.
•Checkwhetherdogs and other pets are permitted in the area before leaving home
•In some parkspets are permitted, but must be kept under control at all times
•Pets can carry diseases that can harm nativewildlife and maycause injuryor disturbance to other park users.
Fishing and Shooting
•Fishing Licencescan beobtained fromyour local tackle or sports shop
•Firearms are prohibited in most MurrayRiverParklands
•Call 13 1963to checkwiththe local Parks Victoria office
•Fishing alongtheMurrayRiver
•A NSW Amateur Fishing Licenceis requiredfor fishing in the Murray River
•Visit the NSW Fisherieswebsite
orcall1300369 365
•Fishing in Rivers and lakes in Victoria
•A Victorian Amateur Fishing Licenceis required for fishing inwaters southof the Murray River
•Visit the Department of Sustainability and Environment website call136168
FirewoodandVegetation
•Cutting downanytree, alive or dead, is anoffence and penaltiesapply. It can also be extremely dangerous
•Native trees and other forest produce are protected by law and must not be removed
•Bringyour ownfirewood to use atyour campsite as there
•is limitedwoodonthe ground
•Do not drag orsnig logswith vehicles
•A permit is required to removewood from allocated areas for domestic use
•Spray-paintingdirectional arrowsand nameson trees is unsightlyand in some casespermanently scar the trees
•Please avoid using nails to pin up directions or hang rubbish bags. Nails can leavetrees permanentlyscarred and in some cases cause them to die
“Designate ameeting place that you can all find and then showyour friends the way to your camp.”
Be safe- take care
•Avoid campingor parking under trees, in particular Red Gums, as they maydrop branches at any timewithout warning
•Deep holes, coldwater, snagsand strong currents are common in the MurrayRiver. Life jackets are recommended
•Do not use swings attached to trees or anyother structure
•River cliffs arealso erodableand slumping can occur at any time
•If you see a snake, don’t panic. Stand still. Snakes nearly always move away when they feel footstep vibrations. Remember snakes are protected so don’t try to kill them
•Discuss and agree on an evacuation plan incase of bushfires
Nature and History
All plants, animals, historical and archaeological sites and geographic features are protected by lawand must not be
•removedor disturbed.
Further information:
GatewayVisitor Information Centre GatewayVillage LincolnCauseway WodongaVic 3690
Freecall: 1800800 743
E-mail:
information@alburywodong
atourism.biz
YarrawongaMulwalaVisitor Information
Centre Irvine Parade
YarrawongaVic 3730
Freecall: 1800062 260 E-mail:
Cobram/BaroogaVisitor Information Centre 2-4 Station Street
CobramVic 3644
Freecall: 1800659 258 E-mail:
Upper Murray Visitor Information Centre Hansen Street Corryong Vic 3707
Phone: 02 6076 2277
SwanHill Development
andVisitor Information Centre
306 Campbell Street
SwanHill Vic 3585 Freecall: 1800625 373
Email:
Echuca-MoamaVisitor Information Centre 2 HeygarthStreet
EchucaVic 3564
Freecall: 1800804 446
E-mail:
Alfred DeakinCentre 180-190 Deakin Avenue
MilduraVic 3500
Freecall: 1800039 043
E-mail:
ExploringtheMurrayRiver
*SeparateParknote available
HeadwaterstoYarrawonga
Corryong - Jack Riley, known as “The Man FromSnowyRiver”, is buried in the cemetery at Corryong. There is an excellent collection of local memorabilia housed at the museum.
Lake Hume -Lake Hume, near Albury, is the main operatingstorage of theMurray River system and more than four times the size of SydneyHarbour.
Lake Moodemere, northof Rutherglen,was reserved as a wildlife sanctuaryin 1912.
Lake Mulwalais a haven for birds and native fish and is used allyear for a variety ofwater sports. Work on the lakebegan in the1930swith the damming of the MurrayRiver at YarrawongaWeir as part of the Murray-Darling Irrigation Scheme.
YarrawongatoBarmah
This stretch of the river boasts approximately 50 sandy beaches, some of the best on the Murray. Around Yarrawongathere’sForges, Brucesand BourkesBends.Cobramhas Thompson’s Beach day usearea and the veryaccessible Dead River Beach and many more.
There are boatramps at Yarrawonga,Cobramand Tocumwal.Experience classic Murray River sceneryandabundantwildlife along the many walking tracks.
UlupnaIsland*lies at the eastern end of BarmahStatePark and hasmanysandyriver beaches making it ideal for swimming, camping and picnics.
Barmah Forest* -Listed as aWetland of International Importance, Barmah Forest
comprises290square kilometresof River Red Gum and is home to abundant native birds and animal life. TheDharnya Centrehasdisplays about the historyand culture of the indigenous and Europeancommunities living in the district, aswellas information about the forest, its inhabitants andthe river.
Echuca toRobinvale
ThePort of Echucawasonce the biggest inland port in Australia. Enjoy sightseeing, strolling around the historic precinct, visiting local crafts ortrytravellingdown the Murray on a paddle steamer.
SwanHill-Swan Hill Pioneer Settlement is an authentically recreated nineteenth century Mallee town.
GunbowerIsland, near Cohuna, lies on the floodplain between the Murray and GunbowerCreek and features a great varietyofwaterbirds. Until damming, the red gum and box forests were flooded every year and today still depend on the occasional inundation.
Tyntynder Homestead,north of Swan Hill, was the first brick veneer building in Australia. It is furnished in the style of the squatter period of the 1870s.
ViniferaRiverMurrayReserve- 24km from SwanHill, is mainlyRiver RedGum forestwith some Black Boxwoodland, scatteredwith billabongs that flowas creeksat times of high river.
NyahState Forest -Almost entirelyRiver Red Gumwitha groundcover of native and introducedgrasses, the ParneeMallooCreek flowswhen theriver is high and remains as a series of billabongs at other times.
The Major Mitchell Trailpasses North of Piangil. Major MitchellLagoons,where Major Mitchell camped, has a car park overlooking the lagoons.Passage Camp is another areawhere Major Mitchellcamped.
Robinvale toMildura
Robinvale - The land surrounding Robinvalewas taken upunder the soldier settlement scheme afterWorld War 2 and used for vines, citrus fruits, almonds, olivesand vegetables.
Hattah-KulkyneNational Park* andMurray- KulkyneParklie in typical malleecountry with extensive lowscrub and opennativepine woodland. A number of freshwater lakes seasonallyfilled bycreeks connected to the Murray providefood and shelter forwaterbirdsand fish.
The sandyKaradoc Beachesprovide good access for canoeing, boatingand swimming. Informal camping and horse riding are permitted and dogs are allowed in the area.
Red CliffsScenic Reserve-Excellent photo opportunities awaityou at theRedgumGully carpark and boardwalk on the Murray. This reserve is fivekilometreseastof Red Cliffs.
Kings BillabongWildlife Reserve* features a large, sleepybillabong thatwas, for many years, the mainwatersupply for nearbyvineyards and orange groves. Take the self-guidedwalk tothe historic Psyche Bend Pumphouse(the oldest intact irrigationstation in Australia)and enjoy wonderful birdwatching alongtheway.
Mildura to South Australia
Wallpolla Islandnear Merbeinis 9800ha of floodplain vegetation includingRed Gum, saltbush plains, seasonal lakes and grasslands. Activities include fishing, boating and camping.
Lake Cullulleraineis a natural lake, kept filled from Lock9on the Murray River to supplywater to nearby properties. Black Boxand reed beds fringe the lake.Activities include swimming, picnicsand camping (powered sites available).
LindsayIsland* lies in the far northwest corner of Victoriawhere the river flowsinto South Australia. The island’s floodplains are a haven forwildlife.
January 2005