Mungo National Park is one of Australia 's most unique natural and historical destinations . Located in the remote region of New South Wales, about 850 km from Sydney, this park is not only famous for its wild landscape but also a treasure trove of archaeological sites, proving the existence of humans more than 50,000 years ago.
Some features of Mungo National Park Australia
Mungo National Park, located in southwestern New South Wales, Australia, is one of the most important natural and historical sites in the country. The park is famous for its arid lake system and distinctive sand dunes, including unique landforms such as the "Walls of China" - a series of high and long sand dunes that create a majestic and surreal scene. This area is not only attractive for its natural beauty but also for its deep historical and cultural value.
Mungo National Park Australia. Photo: @nealdalgliesh
Mungo National Park is home to the remains of ancient civilisation, with evidence of human presence dating back more than 40,000 years. This is where the oldest human remains ever discovered in Australia, “Mungo Man” and “Mungo Lady”, were found, providing valuable information about the lives of early Aboriginal communities. These discoveries have led to the park being designated a World Heritage Site and becoming an important site for archaeological and anthropological research.
In addition to its historical value, the park is also an ideal destination for those who love nature and exploration. Visitors can join tours led by Aboriginal people, explore the amazing landscapes and learn about the local Aboriginal culture. With its wild and quiet space, Mungo National Park offers visitors a unique and unforgettable experience of a land rich in tradition and mystery of Australia.
The ideal time to visit Mungo National Park
The ideal time to visit Mungo National Park is during autumn (March to May) and spring (September to November). During these times, the weather is mild and pleasant with temperatures not too hot during the day and cool at night.
Autumn: Cool weather, little rain and beautiful natural scenery, especially the sand dunes with gentle sunlight, creating a very impressive scene.
Spring: Spring brings a fresh start to the season with blooming wildflowers and plants, making the landscape vibrant and colorful. It is also an easy time to explore archaeological sites and enjoy outdoor activities.
Summer (December to February) is often very hot with temperatures that can exceed 40°C, making outdoor sightseeing difficult and uncomfortable. Winter (June to August) is colder, especially at night, but can still be an option if you prefer a quieter atmosphere and fewer tourists.
In short, autumn and spring are the best times to fully enjoy the beauty and magic of Mungo National Park.
Photo: @arnhem.co
Transportation to Mungo
To get to Mungo National Park , visitors need to combine many means of transportation because the park is located in a quite remote area in southwestern New South Wales, Australia.
By plane: The most convenient way to get close to Mungo National Park is to fly into one of the nearby airports. Mildura Airport in Victoria is the closest airport, located approximately 110 km southwest of the park. You can fly direct to Mildura from Sydney or Melbourne.
By car: Once you arrive at Mildura Airport, you can hire a car and drive to Mungo National Park. The drive from Mildura to the park takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. The roads into the park are mostly dirt and gravel, so a vehicle with off-road capability is essential, especially during the wet season when roads can be difficult to navigate.
By bus or tour: If you don't want to drive, you can also take guided tours from Mildura. These often include transfers, guided tours of the park and highlights such as the "Walls of China" and archaeological sites.
Because the park is located in a remote area, visitors should prepare carefully before going, including checking the weather, preparing food and water, and ensuring the car has enough fuel and a spare tire.
The park is located in a rather remote location. Photo: @motherthemountainWildlife of Mungo National Park
Colorful parrots: Mungo's many colorful parrots create a vivid contrast to the outback landscape. See the mulga parrot, or multi-colored parrot, in all its primary shades.
Rose-crested Cockatoo: You don’t have to be a birdwatcher to get excited when you catch a glimpse of this fascinating creature, also known as the Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo. Mungo National Park is one of the best places to see these cake-coloured Battenberg cockatoos, with their brilliant pink, orange and yellow crests, and you can sometimes see them in the hundreds, especially when they fly here at night to roost.
Megafauna: The Willandra Lakes were once home to large animals. Evidence of this is found buried in the sediments of the Mungo Basin, from wombat-like diprotodons to giant short-faced kangaroos or procoptodons. Squint your eyes and imagine these magnificent beasts roaming the land when Lake Mungo flooded completely some 50,000 years ago, during the Pleistocene.
Red Kangaroo: Not only is the red kangaroo one of Australia's most iconic animals, it's also the world's largest marsupial. And Mungo is the perfect place to spot one or a group, almost camouflaged by the landscape.
The park is home to kangaroos. Photo: @australiangeographic
Things to do in Mungo National Park
Watch the sunrise at Red Top Lookout
Mornings at Red Top Lookout are dreamy, changing from the night sky to a golden sunrise. You can visit Red Top Lookout and many other areas yourself via the Mungo Self Drive Tour – a 70km road around Lake Mungo.
The lookout is located on the edge of the lake, about a 15-minute drive from the campsite and lodge. The sun rises over the horizon just behind the rocks, so it's the perfect place to start a day in Mungo National Park .
Watch the sunrise at Red Top Lookout. Photo: @nationalparks.nsw.gov.au
Watching the sunset from the "Great Wall"
Over thousands of years, the sand and clay on the eastern shore of the lake have been shaped by wind and rain, revealing unique rock formations known as the Mungo 'Great Wall of China'. This area of the lake is also known as the Mungo lunette because of the tall, crescent-shaped sand dunes that curve around the dry lake bed.
There is a viewing platform and short boardwalk in front of the walls that you can drive up to. Visit at sunset and watch the colours light up in the rocks. As the day goes on, each layer of sediment becomes more and more visible.
This part of Lake Mungo is accessible only by walking across the lunette with a professional guide. To get past the lookout and onto the rocks, join a sunset tour from Mungo Lodge.
Watching the red sunset. Photo: @lillyraemediaWatch the full moon rise and set
On your first morning in Mungo National Park , drive past a vast, dry lake. The sun is just starting to rise over one edge and the moon is still setting on the other. It’s dreamy to see them both in the sky, suspended in orange light.
Because Lake Mungo is so large, you can view the moon on the horizon from almost any angle, making it appear very large compared to the lunettes, kangaroos and bushes. Mungo Lookout is a good vantage point to get a clear view of the moon rising over the lake.
Watch the full moon rise and set. Photo: @oindrilaclicks
Find wildlife
It’s fascinating to see what can live and thrive in the clay and salt of Lake Mungo, which dried up around 14,000 years ago. On the tour, visitors can spot kangaroos, cassowaries and goats around Mungo National Park.
The easiest way to spot kangaroos is to drive past the lake early in the morning, just after sunrise or just before sunset. The kangaroos are usually in the bush and not too far from the road at these times of day, so drive carefully.
White parrots live in the park. Photo: @kerryn_buckley_photography
Walk
There are quite a few walking trails in Mungo National Park as it is often quite hot and dry during the day, it is best to walk early in the morning or late in the afternoon, whichever is less exposed to the sun, and bring a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses and plenty of water.
These walks are great for wildlife watching and experiencing the natural landscape on foot. The Zanci Pastoral Heritage Loop is the longest and most historic loop, taking you to some historic sheep shearing farms and starting at the Mungo Visitor Centre.
Walking tour. Photo: @nationalparks.nsw.gov.auFor those who love exploring history, nature and culture, Mungo National Park is a must-see destination.
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