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| Sulphur-crested cockatoos |
After getting supplies in Mildura, we set off, passing many vineyards on the way, including Lindemans. This area is referred to as the food bowl of Australia because it grows 95% of its dried fruit, 69% of table grapes and 21% of citrus fruits. It also grows a significant portion of the country’s almonds, pistachios, olives, carrots and asparagus.
We drove to the Hattah-Kulkyne National Park and almost immediately kangaroos were running in front of the vehicle and a group of emus trotted past, quickly followed by a fox - but he may have been after the rabbits we had seen.
After visiting the Visitor Centre and chatting to the Ranger, we went along 4WD tracks crossing dried up riverbeds and creeks. The Hattah-Kulkyne park is an area of lakes, creeks and billabongs which flood occasionally when the Murray floods its banks. At the moment they are all dried up and there is concern that flooding is far les frequent, partly because of the long drought but also due to diverting water from the Murray for agricultural and domestic purposes. We saw some of the huge River Red Gum trees that grow by the river and creek beds, and walked across a completely dried up creek.
We got to the basic campsite about 6 p.m. and immediately noisy miner birds and beautiful blue-faced honeyeaters came to visit. On Saturday and Sunday there is a cull of the wild goats and pigs in the park, so certain areas will be cordoned off. The parks in Victoria are very tightly managed to ensure that any damage to vegetation, woodland and animals is minimized by either humans or animals. This area has been cordoned off by a kangaroo fence to limit the numbers of kangaroos inside the park.
WILDLIFE: Crested pigeon, Kangaroos, emus, fox, rabbits, green parrot, noisy miner bird, blue-faced honeyeater.
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