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Learn more about why this park is special
Zanci Homestead site is in Mungo National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
Incomparable history
Walk in the footsteps of the Ngyiampaa, Mutthi Mutthi and Southern Paakantyi Aboriginal people who have lived here for millennia. Come and share this ancient place and stand at the history-making sites where the world's oldest human cremation was unearthed and 20,000 year old human footprints and trackways have been found. Join an Aboriginal ranger on a Discovery Tour and learn about Mungo's exceptional heritage and continuing importance. You can also download the Mungo Stories - Walk Together app to use in the park and hear cultural stories at specific locations.
- Guided 4WD outback adventures in Corner Country Explore the fascinating outback region known as Corner Country with the friendly guides of Outback Spirit on a 14-day 4WD adventure taking in scenic wonders from Adelaide to Alice Springs.
- Lake Mungo and Culpra Milli immersion Stage 5 students (Years 9 to 10) will make meaningful connections with First Nations People in this excursion. It’s tailor-made for Aboriginal Studies. Students travel to Mungo National Park for a 5 t...
- Mungo lakebed loop trail Get your heart rate up on this 35km mountain biking journey through the heart of the Willandra Lakes World Heritage region in Outback NSW. Ride across the dried base of Lake Mungo and past spectacular...
- Mungo lunette guided walk Join an Aboriginal Discovery ranger in Mungo National Park, Willandra Lakes World Heritage Area, for Stage 2 (Years 3-4) History excursion. Explore the ancient layers within the Mungo lunette. Learn a...
- Mungo lunette guided walk Join an Aboriginal Discovery ranger in Mungo National Park, Willandra Lakes World Heritage Area, for Stage 3 (Years 5-6) History excursion. Explore the ancient layers within the Mungo lunette. Learn a...
A landscape like no other
Gaze in awe at scenery moulded by the elements and discover how climatic changes since the last ice age have shaped the land's geography. The park's lunette is perhaps its most astonishing feature. Comprising four layers of sand and silt deposited over tens of thousands of years, this majestic sight almost defies description. Walk the ancient dry lakebed of Lake Mungo and photograph the spectacular etched dunes of the Walls of China. At night, sit back and be amazed at star-filled skies unlike anything you've seen before.
- Lake Mungo and Culpra Milli immersion Stage 5 students (Years 9 to 10) will make meaningful connections with First Nations People in this excursion. It’s tailor-made for Aboriginal Studies. Students travel to Mungo National Park for a 5 t...
- Mungo landscapes photography workshop Join Adam Edwards Photography on an exciting, multi-day photography workshop in Mungo National Park. Designed for all skill levels, you’ll learn how to capture unforgettable landscape photos.
- Walls of China viewing platform The iconic views from wheelchair-accessible Walls of China viewing platform are some of the best in World Heritage-listed Mungo National Park in Outback NSW.
Outback animals
With its thriving kangaroo and emu populations, Mungo's the perfect place for an up-close glimpse of Australia's coat of arms. You're sure to be amazed by the sight and sound of pink cockatoos in their hundreds, or the vision of harmonious bird species taking turns drinking from ground tanks. There's a good chance you'll see a mallee ring-neck parrot - look for its striking green/gold colouring.
- Rosewood picnic area Enjoy lunch and some birdwatching at this picnic spot. It’s well-positioned near walking tracks, and is a great place to contemplate Mungo’s scenery and Aboriginal history.
- Round Tank picnic area Round Tank picnic area offers a picnic spot on Mungo Self-guided Drive tour, with excellent birdwatching opportunities in outback NSW in Mungo National Park.
World Heritage wonders
Mungo National Park is part of the Willandra Lakes Region World Heritage Area. The region abounds in ancient cultural and archaeological treasures, the scale of which is almost impossible to grasp without a visit. Findings include human skeletal material, tools, middens and animal bones, along with relatively undisturbed landforms spanning several thousand years.
- Guided 4WD outback adventures in Corner Country Explore the fascinating outback region known as Corner Country with the friendly guides of Outback Spirit on a 14-day 4WD adventure taking in scenic wonders from Adelaide to Alice Springs.
- Mungo lakebed loop trail Get your heart rate up on this 35km mountain biking journey through the heart of the Willandra Lakes World Heritage region in Outback NSW. Ride across the dried base of Lake Mungo and past spectacular...
- Mungo lunette guided walk Join an Aboriginal Discovery ranger in Mungo National Park, Willandra Lakes World Heritage Area, for Stage 3 (Years 5-6) History excursion. Explore the ancient layers within the Mungo lunette. Learn a...
- Zanci Homestead site Lose yourself in Mungo’s pastoral heritage. The Zanci Homestead site is a fascinating part of the Willandra Lakes region’s heritage, and can be accessed by mountain bike.
Plants and animals protected in this park
Animals
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Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae)
The largest of Australian birds, the emu stands up to 2m high and is the second largest bird in the world, after the ostrich. Emus live in pairs or family groups. The male emu incubates and rears the young, which will stay with the adult emus for up to 2 years.
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Wedge-tailed eagle (Aquila audax)
With a wingspan of up to 2.5m, the wedge-tailed eagle is Australia’s largest bird of prey. These Australian animals are found in woodlands across NSW, and have the ability to soar to heights of over 2km. If you’re bird watching, look out for the distinctive diamond-shaped tail of the eagle.
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Red kangaroo (Macropus rufus)
The red kangaroo is one of the most iconic Australian animals and the largest marsupial in the world. Large males have reddish fur and can reach a height of 2m, while females are considerably smaller and have blue-grey fur. Red kangaroos are herbivores and mainly eat grass.
Plants
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Saltbush (Atriplex nummularia)
A hardy Australian native plant, the saltbush is a small spreading shrub that can withstand dry salty soils such as those found in the desert plains of western NSW. It is grey-white in colour and has small spear-shaped succulent leaves. It flowers from December to April.
Look out for...
Wedge-tailed eagle
Aquila audax
With a wingspan of up to 2.5m, the wedge-tailed eagle is Australia’s largest bird of prey. These Australian animals are found in woodlands across NSW, and have the ability to soar to heights of over 2km. If you’re bird watching, look out for the distinctive diamond-shaped tail of the eagle.
Environments in this park
School excursions (3)
- Lake Mungo and Culpra Milli immersion , Stage 5 (Years 9-10), Aboriginal Studies
- Mungo lunette guided walk, Stage 3 (Years 5-6), History
- Mungo lunette guided walk, Stage 2 (Years 3-4), History