The Murray River & Around - Melbourne and Victoria - page 632

Hattah-Kulkyne
National Park
The vegetation of the beautiful and diverse Hattah-Kulkyne National Park ranges from
dry, sandy mallee-scrub country to the fertile riverside areas closer to the Murray, which
are lined with red gum, black box, wattle and bottlebrush.
The Hattah Lakes system fills when the Murray floods, which is great for waterbirds. The
many hollow trees here are perfect for nesting, and more than 200 species of birds have
been recorded in the area. There are many native animals, mostly nocturnal desert types
and wetland species, such as the burrowing frog, which digs itself into the ground and
waits until there's enough water to start breeding. Reptiles here include the mountain dev-
il, the inspiration for the Australian saying, 'flat out like a lizard drinking', because it
draws surface water into its mouth by lying flat on the ground.
The main access road is from Hattah , 70km south of Mildura on the Calder Hwy. There
are two nature drives , the Hattah and the Kulkyne, and a network of old camel tracks that are
great for cycling , although you'll need thorn-proof tubes. Tell the rangers where you're go-
ing, and carry plenty of water, a compass and a map.
You can camp (unpowered sites $16.50) at Lake Hattah and Lake Mournpall, but there's lim-
ited water and the lake water is undrinkable. Free camping is possible anywhere along the
Murray River frontage.
Hattah-Kulkyne National Park visitor centre ( 03-5029 3253) , 5km into the park, is a cool build-
ing with posters, tables and chairs. Ring the ranger to find out if the tracks are passable.