Wallpolla Island Murray-Sunset National Park notes Visitor...
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For more information call Parks Victoria on 13 1963 or visit www.parks.vic.gov.au park notes Wallpolla Island Murray-Sunset Naonal Park Visitor Guide Wallpolla Island, in the north of Murray-Sunset Naonal Park, highlights the Mallee’s relavely untouched earth in a dry climate, waing for the occasional flooding to bring it to life. Apostlebirds are highly conspicuous and are oſten found in groups Enjoying the park Picnics Many delighul picnic spots can be found throughout the area. Walking Short informal bushwalks can be enjoyed along established tracks. Be aware of high summer temperatures. Camping There are few designated campgrounds, but many of the tracks lead to perfect shady sites along the river and creeks. Beware of falling River Red Gum limbs when camping. See overleaf for camping guidelines. Fishing Fish from the water’s edge or launch a small boat on Wallpolla Creek or one of the many other creeks at the western end of the island. Fish include Golden Perch, Murray Cod, Redfin, Yabbies and the introduced European Carp. . A current Victorian Recreaonal Fishing Licence is required for fishing in waters south of the Murray River. A NSW Freshwater Recreaon Fishing Licence is required for the Murray River. Driving – Access to the island is via the Old Mail Road, an unsealed road running between Meridian Road and Lock 9 Road. Two-wheel drive vehicles can access the island in dry weather, however four-wheel drive vehicles are recommended. All tracks are dry weather only and gates will be closed during flooding. Many months of dry access allow you to visit a variety of scenic locaons including sand bars and meandering creeks. Canoeing – Excellent canoeing can be enjoyed throughout the islands. Negoang fallen mber and river bends can be challenging, but the scenery is superb. Birdwatching – The islands have significant populaons of both dryland and wetland species. Keep a look out for the elusive Spoed Bowerbird. Be fire ready and stay safe On days of forecast Code Red Fire Danger this park will be closed for public safety. If you are already in the park you should leave the night before or early in the morning for your own safety. Closure signs will be erected and rangers will patrol when possible, however you may not receive a personal warning that the park is closed so check the latest condions by calling 13 1963 or visit www.parks.vic.gov.au. For up to date informaon on fires in Victoria or general fire safety advice call the Victorian Bushfire Informaon Line on 1800 240 667 or visit www.emergency.vic.gov.au.
Transcript of Wallpolla Island Murray-Sunset National Park notes Visitor...
For more information call Parks Victoria on 13 1963
or visit www.parks.vic.gov.au
Healthy Parks Healthy People
Visiting a park can improve your health, mind, body and
soul. So, with over four million hectares of parkland available to Victorians, why not escape
to a park today!
pa
rkn
ote
s
Healthy Parks Healthy People
Visiting a park can improve your health, mind, body and
soul. So, with over four million hectares of parkland available to Victorians, why not escape
to a park today!
Wallpolla IslandMurray-Sunset National Park
Visitor GuideWallpolla Island, in the north of Murray-Sunset National Park, highlights the Mallee’s
relatively untouched earth in a dry climate, waiting for the occasional flooding to bring
it to life.
Apostlebirds are highly conspicuous and are often found in groups
Enjoying the park Picnics Many delightful picnic spots can be found throughout the area. Walking Short informal bushwalks can be enjoyed along established tracks. Be aware of high summer temperatures. Camping There are few designated campgrounds, but many of the tracks lead to perfect shady sites along the river and creeks. Beware of falling River Red Gum limbs when camping. See overleaf for camping guidelines. Fishing Fish from the water’s edge or launch a small boat on Wallpolla Creek or one of the many other creeks at the western end of the island. Fish include Golden Perch, Murray Cod, Redfin, Yabbies and the introduced European Carp. .
A current Victorian Recreational Fishing Licence is required for fishing in waters south of the Murray River. A NSW Freshwater Recreation Fishing Licence is required for the Murray River.
Driving – Access to the island is via the Old Mail Road, an unsealed road running between Meridian Road and Lock 9 Road. Two-wheel drive vehicles can access the island in dry weather, however four-wheel drive vehicles are recommended. All tracks are dry weather only and gates will be closed during flooding. Many months of dry access allow you to visit a variety of scenic locations including sand bars and meandering creeks. Canoeing – Excellent canoeing can be enjoyed throughout the islands. Negotiating fallen timber and river bends can be challenging, but the scenery is superb. Birdwatching – The islands have significant populations of both dryland and wetland species. Keep a look out for the elusive Spotted Bowerbird. Be fire ready and stay safe On days of forecast Code Red Fire Danger this park will be closed for public safety. If you are already in the park you should leave the night before or early in the morning for your own safety. Closure signs will be erected and rangers will patrol when possible, however you may not receive a personal warning that the park is closed so check the latest conditions by calling 13 1963 or visit www.parks.vic.gov.au. For up to date information on fires in Victoria or general fire safety advice call the Victorian Bushfire Information Line on 1800 240 667 or visit www.emergency.vic.gov.au.
For more information call Parks Victoria on 13 1963
or visit www.parks.vic.gov.au
Healthy Parks Healthy People
Visiting a park can improve your health, mind, body and
soul. So, with over four million hectares of parkland available to Victorians, why not escape
to a park today!
pa
rkn
ote
sHealthy Parks Healthy People
Visiting a park can improve your health, mind, body and
soul. So, with over four million hectares of parkland available to Victorians, why not escape
to a park today!
For further informationCall Parks Victoria on 13 1963or visit www.parks.vic.gov.au
Mildura Visitor Information (Alfred Deakin Centre)180‐190 Deakin Avenue
Mildura Vic 3500Freecall: 1800 039 043
Tel: (03) 5018 [email protected]
Caring for theenvironment
Help us look after your parkby following these guidelines:
Please take rubbish with you forrecycling or disposal
All plants, animals, historical andarchaeological sites and
geographic features are protectedby law
Dogs are not permitted in Murray‐Sunset National Park
Vehicles, including motor bikes,may only be used on formed
designated roads. Drivers must belicensed and vehicles registered
and roadworthy
Firearms are prohibited
FireCollect only dead wood from the
ground for campfiresNo fires are permitted on a day of
Total Fire Ban. Built in andportable gas or electric barbecues
may be used provided:
the fire is in a properlyconstructed fireplace or a30cm deep trench and nomore than one metre in
diameter a 3 metre area is cleared of
anything flammable at least 10 litres of water is
available for immediate use an adult is in attendance at
all times
It is your responsibility to know ifit is a day of Total Fire Ban.
Murray‐sunset National Park is inthe Mallee Total Fire Ban District
ToiletsChemical toilets are preferred. Pittoilets must be at least 100m fromthe water’s edge. Bury toilet paper
and waste appropriately
A rich human history For thousands of years Indigenous people were sustained by the rich waters and woodlands of the Murray River’s floodplain. Shell middens, hearths and scar trees found throughout the park reveal much about the lifestyle and rich culture of the people. Early European settlers soon followed the inland watercourse and later the floodplain was grazed by cattle and sheep. The island was added to Murray‐Sunset National Park in June 2010 with all grazing ceasing by 2014.
Plants and animals The island's floodplains are a haven for wildlife. River Red Gums grow close to the Murray River and along smaller creek beds. Black Box woodlands give way to dense Lignum on clay flats ‐ a haven for Robins and Fairy‐wrens. Pelicans and Wedge‐tailed Eagles soar overhead while Emus and Red and Western Grey kangaroos roam the drier plains. The elusive, endangered Paucident Planigale, a small native mammal, shelters in clay fissures. Regent Parrots flash through the trees and waterbirds wade in the creeks.
The Great Egret relies on the vast landscapes of Wallpolla Island to survive.
Exploring the Mallee region The Victorian Mallee parks cover over one million hectares and are extremely important for nature conservation because of their relatively undisturbed state. They protect a range of plant and animal species adapted to the dry Mallee environment and contribute significantly to Australia’s biodiversity. Autumn, winter and spring are the best times to visit.
Environmental Watering Environmental regulators have been installed at Lindsay and Mulcra Islands to return more natural flooding patterns to creeks and billabongs. Plans are underway to install similar structures at Wallpolla Island to improve the health of floodplain vegetation, improve habitat for waterbirds and provide improved breeding opportunities for threatened species such as the iconic Murray Cod.
Murray Cod – photo Jason Higham
Location and access Wallpolla Island is about 570km north‐west of Melbourne and 350km east of Adelaide.
Access to the island is via the Sturt Highway from Mildura and South Australia.
October 2014 Printed on Australian‐made 100% recycled paper
