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The 8892ha Gunbower National Park is a unique and diverse wonderland of waterbirds, wildlife and The 8892ha Gunbower National Park is a unique and diverse wonderland of waterbirds, wildlife and The 8892ha Gunbower National Park is a unique and diverse wonderland of waterbirds, wildlife and aquatic plants. With a backdrop of the Murray River, majestic River Red Gums and sandy beaches, the aquatic plants. With a backdrop of the Murray River, majestic River Red Gums and sandy beaches, the aquatic plants. With a backdrop of the Murray River, majestic River Red Gums and sandy beaches, the park is ideal for camping and a range of water-based recreation. park is ideal for camping and a range of water-based recreation. park is ideal for camping and a range of water-based recreation. Boating and canoeing - The five kilometre canoe Boating and canoeing - The five kilometre canoe Boating and canoeing - The five kilometre canoe trail at Safes Lagoon near Koondrook in the trail at Safes Lagoon near Koondrook in the Koondrook in trail at Safes Lagoon neartake about twothe adjacent State Forest will take about two hours to adjacent State Forest will hours to adjacent State Forest will take about two hours to complete (return). Bring your own canoe, and complete (return). Bring your own canoe, and your own canoe, complete (return). Bringaccess before youand See check water levels and access before you go. See check water levels and go. check water levels and access before you go. See DSE trail brochure for information. DSE trail brochure for information. trail brochure for information. DSE Swimming is popular, particularly at the numerous Swimming is popular, particularly at the numerous Swimming is popular, particularly at the numerous sandy river bend beaches. sandy river bend beaches. sandy river bend beaches. Note: Take care when swimming - cold water and Note: Take care when swimming - cold water and Note: Take care when swimming - cold water and fast currents can be hazardous and there may be fast currents can be hazardous and there may be there may be fast currents can be hazardous andinto the water submerged logs. Diving or jumping submerged logs. Diving or jumping into the water submerged logs. Diving or jumping into the water can be dangerous. can be dangerous. can be dangerous.
Walking There are many short and long walks Walking There are many short and long walks Walking the area. A new 14km walking track throughoutThere are many short and long walks throughout the area. A new 14km walking track throughout the area. take you past walking track A new 14km near Koondrook will take you past the Eagle Tree near Koondrook will take you past the Eagle Tree neara number of will Koondrook cultural sites. ContactEagle Tree the and a number of cultural sites. Contact the and a number of cultural sites. Contact the and the Department of Sustainability and Environment Department of Sustainability and Environment Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) for further information. (DSE) for further information. (DSE) for further information. Scenic drives A leisurely half day drive, starting Scenic drives A leisurely half day drive, starting Scenic drives A leisurelyof historical, cultural half day drive, starting at Cohuna links a number of historical, cultural at Cohuna links a number of historical, cultural at Cohuna links a numberoverleaf). and ecological sites (see overleaf). and ecological sites (see overleaf). and ecological sites (see Fishing - The river is a breeding ground for native Fishing - The river is a breeding ground for native Fishing - The riveras Murray Codground for native is a breeding fish species such as Murray Cod and Golden fish species such as Murray Cod and Golden fish species such and Golden Perch. Perch. Perch. A current NSW Freshwater Recreation Fishing A current NSW Freshwater Recreation Fishing A current NSW FreshwaterMurray River. A Recreation Fishing Licence is required for the Murray River. A Licence is required for the Murray River. A Licence is required for Fishing Licence is required the Victorian Recreational Fishing Licence is required Victorian Recreational Fishing Licence is required Victorian Recreational for fishing in waters south of the Murray River. for fishing in waters south of the Murray River. for fishing in waters south of the Murray River. Camping - Basic bush camping is available Camping - Basic bush camping is available Camping -the Murray River and is availableCreek Basic bush camping alongside the Murray River and Gunbower Creek alongside the Murray River and Gunbower Creek alongside Gunbower on the island. on the island. on the island.
Gunbower Island was frequented by two clans Gunbower Island was frequented by two clans Gunbower Island was frequented by two clans the Barapa Barapa and the Yorta Yorta. the Barapa Barapa and the Yorta Yorta. the Barapa Barapa and the Yorta Yorta. The Barapa Barapa and Yorta Yorta people have The Barapa Barapa and Yorta Yorta people have people have The Barapa Barapa and Yorta Yortaknown as long connections with the area now known as long connections with the area now known as long connections with the The area was known as area now Gunbower National Park. The area was known as Gunbower National Park. The area was known as Gunbower National and Kanbowro twistingPark.tortuous like the necks of Kanbowro twisting and tortuous like the necks of Kanbowro twisting and tortuous you maynecks of like the the black swans. When exploring you may the black swans. When exploring you may the blackshell middens (kitchen hearths), burial swans. When exploring discover shell middens (kitchen hearths), burial discover discover shell middens (kitchen hearths), burial sites and scar trees. These Australian heritage sites and scar trees. These Australian heritage sites and protected by law. Australian heritage scar trees. These sites are protected by law. sites are sites are protected by law. The first European settlement occurred at The first European settlement occurred at The first European settlement occurred at Gunnawarra station where squatters grazed Gunnawarra station where squatters grazed where squatters grazed Gunnawarra station the early 1870s the value of sheep and cattle. In the early 1870s the value of sheep and cattle. In the early 1870s the value of sheep and cattle. In timber was realised and the the River Red Gum timber was realised and the the River Red Gum timber was realised and the the River Red began. Timber was first used for timber industryGum timber industry began. Timber was first used for timber industry began. Timber was network. Log first used for railway sleepers to expand the rail network. Log railway sleepers to expand the rail network. Log railway sleepers to expand the rail consuming so transport was expensive and time consuming so transport was expensive and time consuming so time transport was expensive and closest to the river. timber cutters selected trees closest to the river. timber cutters selected trees closest to the river. timber cutters selected trees
Be fire ready and stay safe Be fire ready and stay safe Be fire ready and stay safe
Many parks and forests are located in high fire risk Many parks and forests are located in high fire risk Many parks and of forecastlocatedRed Fire risk forests are in high fire areas. On days of forecast Code Red Fire areas. On days Code areas. On days ofwill be closed for public forecast Code Red Fire Danger this park will be closed for public Danger this park will be closed for public Danger this park safety. safety. safety. If you are already in the park you should leave the If you are already in the park you should leave the If youbefore or early the park you should leave the are already in night before or early in the morning for your own night in the morning for your own night before or early in the morning for your own safety. safety. safety. Closure signs will be erected and rangers will Closure signs will be erected and rangers will Closure signs will be erected and rangers will patrol where possible, however you may not patrol where possible, however you may not patrol where possible, however you park is closed may not receive a personal warning that the park is closed receive a personal warning that the park is closed receive a personal conditions by calling 13 1963 so check the latest warning that the so check the latest conditions by calling 13 1963 so visit www.parkweb.vic.gov.au. check the latest conditions by calling 13 1963 or visit www.parkweb.vic.gov.au. or visit www.parkweb.vic.gov.au. or For up to date information on fires in Victoria or For up to date information on fires in Victoria or For up to date informationcall firesVictorian or on in Victoria general fire safety advice call the Victorian general fire safety advice call the Victorian general fire safety advice the Bushfire Information Line on 1800 240 667. Bushfire Information Line on 1800 240 667. Bushfire Information Line on 1800 240 667.
For more information call the Parks Victoria Information Centre on 13 1963 or visit our website at www.parkweb.vic.gov.au
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Victoria's Wetlands
In a climate characterised by extreme conditions including prolonged periods of drought - wetlands play an important role. As water resources become more scarce, many wetlands continue to provide refuge in an otherwise dry landscape. A wide range of threatened plants and animals depend on healthy wetlands for their survival. When the drought eventually breaks, wetlands assist in moderating floods and erosion by holding and slowly releasing large volumes of water. These areas are particularly valuable for their unique ecosystems and the ecological communities they support. Wetlands also perform vital natural functions such as stabilising shorelines, maintaining water flows, and purifying waterways by filtering sediments and recycling nutrients. There are many other things about our Ramsar wetlands that many people are unaware of. For example, did you know: Victoria's Ramsar sites are home to as many as 1,300 species of native plants and 450 species of native animals, including more than 100 species of waterbirds? Lake Corangamite, part of the Western District Lakes Ramsar site, is the largest permanent saltwater lake in Australia? The Western Port Ramsar site contains three of Victoria's 13 Marine National Parks?
Tens of thousands of migratory birds (some weighing in at less than 30 grams) travel from the Northern Hemisphere to visit our coastal wetlands each year? Since European settlement, Victoria has lost more than 37 per cent of its wetland areas to degrading processes such as land clearing and draining. An alarming 90 per cent of this loss has occurred on private land. Natural resource managers, together with the community, need to work harder than ever to protect our remaining wetlands before they are lost forever.
Accommodation
Nearby towns of Koondrook, Cohuna, Gunbower, Torrumbarry and Echuca have caravan parks, motel and bed and breakfast accommodation.