park note wyperfeld national park

7/29/2019 Park Note Wyperfeld National Park

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Wyperfeld National Park

Visitor GuideDalkaiana 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 offering

a 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.

Ornithologist Arthur Mattingly describes Wyperfeld asparadise for nature lovers. It is a place of tranquillity andinspiration for everyone.

Welcome to CountryAs I travel through mallee country I feel the OldPeople with me and I know I am home. SuzieSkurrie, Wotjobaluk.

Through their rich culture the Wotjobaluk Peoplehave been intrinsically connected to Country -

including the area now known as Victoria andthe States parks and reserves - for tens ofthousand of years.

Parks Victoria recognises this connection andacknowledges the Traditional Owners andAboriginal Communities of these areas.

Enjoying the park

Driving

2WD and 4WD vehicles can use the park. Dayvisitors and campers can enjoy the J ames BarretNature Drive in the south, while 4WDs may enjoy

a visit to the snow-white sand dunes of Snowdriftin the north at Pine Plains area.

Facilities and accommodation

Campground facilities include picnic tables,fireplaces and toilets. General supplies andaccommodation are available in Hopetoun,Rainbow, Patchewollock, Walpeup, Underbooland OSullivans Pine Plain Lodge. Camping feesapply only at Wonga Campground.

Wonga Campground in the southern end of thepark is spacious and has a Park InformationCentre, three self-guided interpretive walks, ascenic nature drive and basic camping facilities.

Casuarina Campground in the northern PinePlains area of the park is set amid Pine-Bulokewoodlands and vast open lakebeds surroundedby Mallee sand dunes and a circular-walkingtrack to Bracky Well.

Snowdrift DayVisitors area is 4WDaccess only and is set alongside one of thelargest white sand dunes in the area. Fireplaces,toilet and tables are available.

Location and accessThe park is 450 km north-west of Melbourne andmay be reached;

via Patchewollock off the Sunraysia Highway

via Hopetoun on the Henty Highway

via Underbool on the Mallee Highway

via Rainbow from the Western Highway atDimboola.

A sealed road gives access from Rainbow orHopetoun to Wonga Campground in thesouthern park area - the main camping andpicnic area.

Casuarina Campground, in the northern parkarea, is reached from Patchewollock by 2WD orUnderbool along Gunners Track or Wonga by4WD.

4WD access from Wonga Campground to PinePlains area - check with rangers about currenttrack conditions, call 13 1963.

Wyperfeld park information

A visit to the park information centre at WongaCampground helps to ensure you get the mostfrom your stay. Displays include insights into theindustrious Malleefowl, along with general

natural and cultural history.

Be fire ready and stay safe

Many parks and forests are located in high firerisk areas. On days of forecast Code Red FireDanger this park will be closed for public safety.

If you are already in the park you should leavethe night before or early in the morning for yourown safety.

Closure signs will be erected and rangers willpatrol when possible, however you may notreceive a personal warning that the park isclosed so check the latest conditions by calling13 1963 or visit www.parkweb.vic.gov.au

For up to date information on fires in Victoria orgeneral fire safety advice call the VictorianBushfire Information Line on1800 240 667.

December 2010Printed on Australian-made 100% recycled paper


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Drinking Water: Be self-sufficient and

carry water in, and/or know how to makeuntreated water safe for drinking.

JAMES

BARRETT

James Barrett

James Barrett

Drive along James Barrett Nature


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For further informationParks Victoria InformationCentre 13 1963 or visit the

Parks Victoria websitewww.parks.vic.gov.au

Wyperfeld National ParkRMB 1465

Yaapeet Vic 3424Tel: (03) 5395 7221

Mildura

Visitor Information(Alfred Deakin Centre)180-190 Deakin Avenue

Mildura Vic 3500Ph: (03) 5021 4424

Freecall 1800 039 043Email:

[email protected]

HorshamVisitor Information Centre

20 OCallaghan ParadeHorsham Vic 3400

Tel: (03) 5382 1832Freecall 1800 633 218

Caring for the

environmentPlease take rubbish homewith you for recycling and

disposal

Keep to tracks, for your ownsafety and to protect soils

and vegetation

Dogs and other pets are notpermitted in the park

Firearms, generators andchainsaws are prohibited

FireWyperfeld National Park is

in the Wimmera and MalleeTotal Fire Ban District

It is your responsibility toknow if it is a day of

Total Fire Ban.

If in doubt call the VictorianBushfire Information Line:

1800 240 667

Fires may only be lit infireplaces provided.

No fires/flames, (includinggas or fuel stoves/lanterns

in tents, campers andcaravans) may be lit ondays ofTotal Fire Ban.

Light fires only in fireplaces

provided. Keep fires smallto reduce habitatdisturbance. Gas or fuel

stoves are preferred

Mobile phones: you maynot be in network range in

some park areas. To beconnected to emergency

services when you are notin range dial 112 then

press the Yes key.

Remote area access

Looking for 4WD opportunities? Call in at thepark office to check routes and track conditions.

Access to the remote western park areas is viaMurrayville-Nhill Road, but check with rangersfor current track conditions, especially after wetweather and during high fire danger periods.

Caution: On the following tracks, vehicles must

have good ground clearance, as tracks are deepsand and narrow. Smaller 4WD vehicles mayhave difficulty: North South Access, MilmedRock, Chinamans Well, Gunners and NorthCallitris Track.

Please note: No vans or trailers.

People, plants and animalsThe Wotjobaluk People regularly travelled alongTyakil-ba-Tyakil (Outlet Creek) visiting lakesand swamps, as they travelled their region.European settlers followed the same route toestablish pastoral runs from the 1860s. The

usually dry Outlet Creek snakes its way throughthe centre of the park. Lake Hindmarsh to thesouth fills and overflows into this creek system.

Pressure from naturalists inspired thegovernment to reserve 3,900 hectares in 1909.Wyperfeld National Park was proclaimed in 1921and now covers 360,000ha. The name is ofGerman origin and was probably given byGerman settlers who came to theWimmera/Mallee from South Australia.

Spring is the best time to see wildflowers,although in dry years the displays may not be asspectacular. Around 450 species of native plantsoccur in Wyperfeld and many are in distinct

communities.River Red Gum and Black Box woodlands coverthe floodplains of Outlet Creek and its lakes,while Pine-Buloke grow on nearby dunes.

Mallee eucalypts cover most of the easternsection of the park, with rolling sand plainscovered with heathland in the western section. Abirdwatchers delight, Wyperfeld has recordedover 200 species.

Exploring the mallee regionThe Victorian Mallee parks cover over onemillion hectares and are extremely important fornature conservation because of their relativelyundisturbed state.

Autumn, winter and spring are the best times tovisit. The main picnic and camping areas aregenerally accessible in 2WD vehicles andopportunities abound for high clearance 4WDs.

Park notes are available for other large andspectacular Mallee national parks that adjoin

similar areas in South Australia and New SouthWales.

Murray Sunset National ParkStretching from the Murray River south to thePink Lakes, this park is one of the worlds fewremaining relatively untouched semi-aridregions. It has a wealth of animal and bird life,Red and Western Grey kangaroos, vastlandscapes offering breathtaking sunsets andstarry nights. 4WD vehicles are best here.Lindsay Island is in the northwest corner of ofthe park - enjoy fishing and yabbying inbillabongs and creeks of the Lindsay Riversystem.

Hattah - Kulkyne National Park andMurray - Kulkyne Park

These delightful parks feature the merging ofrolling mallee dunes with the Murray River.Other features include a series of tranquil lakes(intermittent) which are protected under theRamsar Convention, a heritage style VisitorInformation Centre, nature drive and self-guidednature walk. When flooded, enjoy greatopportunities for canoeing, walking, picnicking or

just relaxing in the great open spaces.

Lake Albacutya ParkAdjoins the southern end of Wyperfeld NationalPark. When flooded the lake is a significantwetland, recognised under the RAMSARConvention for protection of wetlands andmigratory birds.

Big Desert Wilderness ParkOne of the most remote and least disturbedareas in Victoria protecting 142,300 hectares ofthe Mallee. Vehicles are not permitted and 4WDaccess through the Big Desert outside theWilderness Park is via the Murrayville Track.Bushwalkers must be experienced and self -

reliantLake Hindmarsh ReserveWhen full, this is Victorias largest body of freshwater, fringed by River Red Gums and host towaterbirds. Enjoy boating, fishing and swimming.Access from Rainbow or J eparit. Check forcurrent conditions before visiting - it may be dry!

Little Desert National ParkMost famous for its Malleefowl. Features theWimmera River at Dimboola, Mallee dunes andwonderful spring wildflowers. Opportunities forwalking, 4WD and birdwatching abound. Enterthe park via Western Highway at eitherDimboola or Kiata (the main campground).

Park closuresBe prepared to leave early as extreme weathermay cause the closure of some park areas forpublic safety.

Get involved - hands on!Hanging out with friends can be good for yourmind, body and soul. Restoring habitat diversitycan have healthy benefits to you and yourcommunity and volunteering is a great way toget involved in your environment.

You can join the Wyperfeld Friends group incaring for these special places by contacting

Parks Victoria on 13 1963 or visitwww.parkweb.vic.gov.au

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park note wyperfeld national park

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