BARMAH NATIONAL PARK

Barmah National Park (28,521ha), together with the adjoining Millewa forest in New South Wales, forms the largest River Red Gum forest in the world. The complex ecology of the forest is closely linked to the Murray River and its flooding regime, creating a diverse natural habitat for a variety of wildlife, particularly waterbirds.

The Victorian Government created Barmah National Park in April 2010 to protect and enhance the River Red Gum forests in Victoria. River Red Gum forests have high natural, cultural and economic values. These forests are under increasing pressure from climate change, drought and reduced water flows in the northern rivers.
Protecting this precious environment relies on balancing the economic and recreational activities with preserving its natural beauty and values.

Things to Do
• Walking: Tracks near the Barmah Lakes and Dharnya include Loops Track and Yamyabuc Discovery Trail. Many longer walks are available as most of the forest is accessible by foot. Download the visitor guide for more information.

• Camping: Popular along much of the 112km frontage to the Murray River. Beware of camping under trees, as River Red Gums drop branches without warning.

• Boating and canoeing: Popular on the Murray River, Barmah Lakes and adjoining creeks. There are several boat launching areas.

• Swimming: Popular, particularly at the numerous sandy river bend beaches. Take care when swimming - cold water and fast currents can be hazardous and there may be submerged logs. Diving or jumping into the water can be dangerous.

• Fishing: Murray Cod, Yellow Belly, Golden Perch, Cat Fish and Yabbies make angling here a popular pastime.

A current NSW Freshwater Recreation Fishing Licence is required for the Murray River. A Victorian Recreational Fishing Licence is required for fishing in waters south of the Murray River.

Facilities
The Barmah Lakes area has toilets, fireplaces and tables. Dispersed camping is permitted elsewhere along the river, with basic facilities at Ulupna Island.
Nearby Barmah, Nathalia and Strathmerton have motels, hotels, lodges and caravan parks. Supplies and petrol are available at these centres.

Heritage
The Yorta Yorta people have a long association with the forest. Scarred trees, mounds, stone artefact scatters, middens and burial sites can all be found in the park.
Dharnya, on Sand Ridge Track near Barmah, is a significant place where you can see evidence of Indigenous living as well as European settlement. Interpretative signage as well as a fire pit, flagpole, picnic facilities and more make this the perfect place to learn about the heritage and ecology of the forest as well as enjoy Indigenous events and celebrations.
Aboriginal Cultural Officers can provide interpretative tours of the forest for schools and other groups. Call the Parks Victoria information centre on 13 1963 for bookings.

European settlement

The area was first explored in the late 1830s and settled soon after. Sheep and cattle were grazed throughout the region and the rich Red Gum forest was harvested for timber. Paddlesteamers on the Murray River were the key mode of transport and heavily utilised by the wool and timber trade.

Fauna
The forest provides an important local habitat, particularly for waterbirds. Over 200 species of birds have been recorded, and it is one of Victoria’s largest waterbird breeding areas. Other abundant animal life throughout the forest include grey kangaroos, emus and koalas.

Vegetation
The park protects 38 rare or threatened plants including fruit Saltbush and Winged Peppergrass. Yellow and Black Box grow on the ridges.
Ulupna Island, bounded by the Murray River and Ulupna Creek, is higher than other parts of the forest and provides an excellent example of less frequently flooded River Red Gum forest. Mixed box woodland is also common on the sandy ridges.

Looking After the Park
Help us look after your park by following these guidelines:

• Please take rubbish with you for recycling or disposal
• Campsites must be 20 metres from any river, creek or billabong
• Campfires must be contained in a pit atleast 30cm deep, no larger than 1 metre square with a 3 metre clearance
• Collect only dead wood from the ground for campfires
• All plants, animals, historical and archaeological sites and geographic features are protected by law
• Bardie grubbing is prohibited
• Dogs and other pets are not permitted in Barmah National Park - they are permitted in the Murray River Park, but must be kept under control at all times
• Firearms are prohibited
• Vehicles, including motor bikes, may only be used on formed open roads
• Major tracks in the park are suitable for two wheel drive vehicles
• Four wheel drive vehicles may be required when wet or on secondary tracks
• Seasonal road closures occur in wet periods

Precautions
This park has been assessed to have a high level of bushfire risk and will be closed for public safety on days of Code Red (Catastrophic) Fire Danger Rating.
No fires, including barbecues, may be lit on a day of Total Fire Ban. Barmah National Park is in the North East Fire Ban District.

• Avoid resting, picnics or camping under or close to River Red Gum trees. They may drop heavy branches at any time without warning. Find out more about how to avoid tree risks here.
• Swimming in the Murray can be hazardous because of currents, hidden snags, cold water and shifting sands
• Do not dive or jump into the river or use any kind of swing attached to trees or other structures
• Be self-sufficient with drinking water. Carry it in and/or know how to make untreated water safe for drinking. For more information contact Parks Victoria on 13 1963 or visit the Department of Human Services Better Health website www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au
• The park is isolated with limited phone coverage

How to Get There
Barmah National Park enterance is only 7kms from the Barmah town (225km notrh from Melbourne) Access is available from Moira Lakes Rd.

Barmah Lakes
This informal camping and picnic area is on the banks of the lake. There are no formal paths around the campsite, but the ground is fairly flat. Access to the water is generally good, as the slope is gentle. There is no designated accessible toilet.

Ulupna Island
There is a section at the western end of Carters Beach on Ulupna Island where a vehicular path leads directly onto the foreshore camping and picnic areas, and onto the beach. This area in particular has been assessed here. The facilities are very basic, consisting of a couple of picnic tables and pit toilets.

Education
The Barmah-Millewa forest is an internationally recognised wetland listed under the Ramsar Convention and represents all of the four freshwater wetland types in Victoria.
River Red Gums line the Murray River for most of its length. These iconic trees can reach 45 metres and live for more than 500 years. The trees need periods of flooding and can survive inundation for months. Their seeds are washed onto higher ground during a flood and germinate and grow before the next flood reaches them. Hollows and broken branches provide nesting for galahs, cockatoos, cockatiels and various parrots; while fallen branches provide habitat for other animals.