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A Cultural Step Back in Time: Exploring Mungo National Park
Australia is renowned for its strong Aboriginal history and culture, and one place where this is clearly evident is in the Mungo National Park. This rare treasure captures the soul and beauty of the land as it was in the dream times. Located 110 kilometers from Mildura in south west New South Wales, Mungo National Park is well worth the drive if you are keen to experience Aboriginal culture at its best. Be sure to bring plenty of water, petrol, and food as civilization ends at the beginning of this cultural step back in time.
Nature and Wildlife Conservation
Positioned within the Willandra Lakes World Heritage Area, Mungo National Park is largely focused on the conservation and preservation of the natural wildlife and atmosphere. The main campsite here is located just off Arumpo Road near the Mungo Visitor Centre and is a popular place to stay. Facilities are basic but the surroundings are visually stunning. Hot showers and toilets are a stone’s throw away at the Visitor Centre ensuring a small slice of civilization. Camping under the stars away from the city is a special experience that will keep you wanting more.
Alternative Accommodations
An alternative to staying in the heart of the outback is to set up camp in Mildura, which is only a short drive from the park. Here, the Murray River offers great accommodation options such as the All Seasons Holiday Park, located in a prime location near the river and town. You might want to hire a houseboat for a day or so and enjoy the birdlife and beauty of the great Murray. Or, if you have hired a campervan, you can pick and choose where to set up for the night!
Exploring Ancient, Sacred Grounds
After visiting the Mungo National Park, whichever destination you choose to visit next, you will be met with walks that take you on ancient, sacred ground with the past a lot closer than you may realize. Fossil sightings are prevalent along the tracks, with ancient stories seemingly woven around every boulder and shadow.
Famous Natural Attractions
One of the most famous natural attractions in this area is the Walls of China, which stretches for over thirty kilometers and brings the appearance of a lonely moonscape. This is a photographer’s dream, especially at dusk and dawn, when scenery is at its best. In order to preserve this amazing area, strict monitoring is present which means that you will need to stick to the tracks and resist the urge to take keepsakes from here home. However, you will be able to capture these sights with your camera, so be sure to bring it along.
Lake Mungo and Shearing Shed
Lake Mungo is somewhat misleading in its title, as it is now completely dry and filled with salt bush. There are a number of theories explaining why the lake dried up, most popular being that the extensive sheep properties surrounding the lake were a literal drain on the environment. The Mungo shearing shed has been restored to resemble this time in history and is worth a visit for a step back in time.
Aboriginal Culture and Sunset Tours
Mungo National Park is most popular as a cultural step back in time, widening appreciations of the land and its people, with Aboriginal guides happy to explain meaning behind the beauty. If you do choose to take a tour, consider the sunset tours, that demonstrate the radiant colors that daily transform the horizon. The Visitor Centre offers displays that will give you a greater understanding about the history of the park, and just driving and enjoying the wild scenery is what brings people back.
The fact that this park is run by the Aboriginal people signifies its importance and significance to Australia. Not only is this a place of beauty, but history, culture and amazing diversity. Come prepared and you will bring home a lifetime of memories that you can cherish forever.