Murray Sunset National Park
Murray Darling National Parks By Kayla Reid
Where is Murray Sunset National Park?
The Murray Sunset National park is located in Victorias far North-West corner.
Animals you may see
You may see Mallee fowl, Red-Rumped Parrots, Pink Cockatoos and White-Browed Treecreepers. Emus and Western Grey kangaroos can be seen grazing in the surrounding woodlands at dawn and dusk. Walkers may catch a glimpse of the reptile -Bearded Dragon, basking in the sun on a warm day. If you're interested in fishing, bring your rod and reel. A fishing trip to Lindsay Island, the Lindsay River or Mullarroo Creek may yield a feed of delicious Golden Perch, Murray Cod, Redfin and Yabbies!
Facts about Murray Sunset National Park
The park was created in 1991, and expanded to encompass Pink Lakes State Park in 1999. The lakes are dubbed "pink" after the beta-carotene pigment that colours it in late summer, caused by the algae Dunaliella salina. This area was the site of a major salt industry from 1916 to 1975. At its peak, ten thousand tons of salt was harvested and railed from Lake Crosbie, Lake Becking and Lake Kenyon to the nearby town of Linga
Plants in the Murray Sunset National Park
Over 600 species of plants have been recorded. Notable plants include Murray Lily, Silvery Emu-bush, saltbush, Buloke, porcupine grass, Blue-leaved Mallee and other mallee eucalypts. In spring, wildflowers include spider orchids, Azure Sun Orchids, Desert Heath-myrtles and Poached-egg Daisies.
Attractions
The park is attractive to bushwalkers as the nearest semi-arid region to Melbourne. Walks include circuits of Lake Crosbie and Lake Kenyon, and the three day Sunset walking track. Groundwater is scarce, and hikers generally rely on water tanks maintained by rangers.
The Pink Lakes are medium sized salt lakes. In late summer a red pigment, carotene, is secreted from the alga Dunaliella salina and gives a distinct pink colour to the lakes.
About Murray Sunset National Park
Murray Sunset National Park is Victoria's second largest national park and contains four designated wilderness zones. Discover the park's vast open spaces, isolation, abundant wildlife and colourful spring wildflowers. Plan a longer stay to experience the breathtaking sunsets and starry nights.The park is one of the few remaining semi-arid regions in the world where the environment is relatively untouched and is home to Victoria's largest flower, the Murray Lily, and Australia's rarest bird, the Black-Eared Miner. Explore diverse habitats, including billabongs and floodplains near the Murray River, grasslands, native pine woodlands, Mallee covered dunes and saltbush flats.
How to Get There
The park can be approached from Murrayville and Ouyen in the south and Red Cliffs, Mildura and Renmark in the north
Heritage
Several Aboriginal communities have lived in the region for thousands of years, leaving shell middens, scar trees, oven mounds and burial grounds that testify to a rich and varied lifestyle. Salt was commercially harvested between 1916 and 1975 from the Pink Lakes. The area was declared a National Park in 1991.