“Gulpa Gaka Anganya – Gaka Yawal Ngulla Yenbena Yorta Yorta Woka,” welcome friend – come walk with us the people on Yorta Yorta Country. Barmah National Park is on the lands of the Yorta Yorta people, and they ask that you treat it with respect and care for it as an extension of yourself. Explore the park via the walking trails through the forests and along the waterways, following pleasant winding creeks and the Murray River. Visitors can see remnants of the long heritage and use of this landscape by the Traditional Owners in the various oven mounds used for cooking. These are found along the Lakes Loop Track and Broken Creek Loop Track. The waters of this park are popular for fishing, swimming, boating and canoeing. Visitors can choose from one of the many camping areas along the river within the Dungalla (Murray River) zone of the park.

The park protects 38 rare or threatened plants, including Fruit Saltbush and Winged Peppergrass. Yellow and Grey Box grow on the ridges. River Red Gums line the Murray River and lower lying areas, and these iconic trees can reach 45m 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, where they germinate and grow before the next flood reaches them.

Hollows and broken branches provide nesting for galahs, cockatoos, cockatiels and various parrots. The park is even more to a healthy population of the endangered superb parrot. The forest also provides important habitat for waterbirds, with more than 200 species of birds recorded here. It is one of Victoria’s largest waterbird breeding areas. Birdwatchers can spot a number of captivating species, including Brolgas, Night Herons, Spoonbills, Sea Eagles and Azure Kingfishers. Other wildlife abounds throughout the forest, where Grey Kangaroos, Emus and Koalas are common.