Murray River National Park
- Introduction
- Fact file
- A look at the past
- Aboriginal culture
- Natural features
- Native plants
- Wildlife
- DEH (08) 8204 1910
- NPWSA Berri (08) 8595 2111
- GO birdwatching around the peaceful lagoons of the Katarapko wetlands
- PADDLE a canoe along Katarapko Creek
- HIRE a houseboat and experience life on the river
Introduction
Located alongside the peaceful waters of the Murray River, this national park is three separate areas of braided creeks, shady riverbanks and riverine flood plains and includes some of the most beautiful of Australia’s river environments.
Fact file
Access
From Adelaide via Sturt Hwy to Waikerie then Berri or Renmark
Best Season
Autumn to spring
Location
180 km north-east of Adelaide
Park Information
Permits
Camping permit required; fi shing restrictions apply (08) 8347 6100 (www.pir.sa.gov.au/fi shing)
Size
13 100 ha
Where to Stay
Berri (08) 8582 5511
Renmark (08) 8586 6704
A look at the past
Charles Sturt, in 1830, was the first European to explore the river, rowing with a party of seven in a whaleboat down to the river mouth below Lake Alexandrina. Paddlesteamers began plying the river in the 1850s, transporting stock and produce for the burgeoning pastoral industry. The river trade reached a peak in the 1880s, to be replaced by rail and road transport. In 1887, after the founding of Renmark, vines and fruit trees were established with the help of irrigation schemes. Soldier settlement schemes after both world wars saw more irrigated farmland developed. In the late 1960s conservation parks were proclaimed to protect some of the islands; in 1991 three areas of the river were incorporated in Murray River National Park.
Aboriginal culture
The river region in South Australia was home to the Ngawaik, Erawirung, Ngintait, Maruara and Danggali people for thousands of years. The plentiful water and food resources enabled populations to fl ourish and the river also formed a natural highway along which groups could travel by canoe – numerous canoe trees along the Murray are part of the legacy of these times. Along with edible plants and roots, eggs and animal meat, the people lived off mussels, waterbirds and tortoises, catching them with nets and spears. There are countless cultural and historic sites along the river, including shell middens, burial grounds, campsites and scarred trees.
Natural features
The park has three separate sections: Katarapko, adjacent to Loxton, is the largest area, with a mosaic of permanent and semipermanent wetlands; Lyrup Flats fl ood plain, upriver and bordering Lyrup, lies on the northern side of the river; Bulyong Island and Ral Ral Creek, north of Renmark, form a third part of the park. Ral Ral Creek, an anabranch of the Murray, separates the island from the mainland. In the large Katarapko section, the low-lying Katarapko Island is surrounded by the Murray River and Katarapko Creek, while the flood plain to the north is a network of channels and billabongs including The Splash, a stretch of Eckert Creek. The quiet backwaters and horseshoe lagoons in the central and eastern parts of the island and the riverine woodland are of particular importance to the conservation of over 140 species of birds.
Native plants
The rivers and lagoons are lined with magnifi cent river red gums, while on the flood plains there are stands of black box. At Katarapko, irrigation levees have caused the river red gums to decline, but new trees are growing in other places. Grasslands are interspersed with tussocks of sedge, and lignum and reed swamps. At Lyrup, river red gums and black box have been affected by water-level changes.
Wildlife
The river’s fringing forests and quiet backwaters attract spoonbills, white-faced herons, sacred kingfishers, yellow rosellas, regent parrots, striped and blue-faced honeyeaters, pelicans, ibis and darters. Katarapko Island’s undergrowth is home to brush-tailed bettongs, the result of a release program begun in 1999. At Bulyong Island there are western grey kangaroos, brushtail possums, shingleback lizards, lace monitors, brown snakes and tiger snakes. In Ral Ral Creek look for eastern snake-necked turtles, eastern water dragons and water rats. The broad-shelled river turtle is also common throughout the Murray–Darling system.
Featured Activities in the National Park
Introduction
isitors to the park can bush camp or stay in a houseboat, relax under shady river red gums, swim in Australia’s largest river, canoe along the backwaters, watch out for birds or enjoy some good fi shing. Riverbank walks include Craggs Hut and Grave walking trail at Katarapko, which provides information about early European history.
Canoeing and kayaking
he waters around Katarapko Island are excellent for canoeing and the Bulyong Island waters are also popular.
Whale-watching
Anglers can fi sh for the prized Murray cod or silver perch and catfi sh. A hand line near some overhanging trees is all you will need to catch golden perch (also known as callop). There are also yabbies. River Murray crayfi sh are rare and must be returned to the water. Rules apply to bag limits and protected species (see Fact File/Permits).
Campsites
Bulyong Island camping area (boat-based camping)
Eckerts Creek Section camping area
Katarapko Extension Section camping area
Katarapko Section camping area
Murray River camping area (bush camping)
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