Mungo National Park
Host: Mike Whitney
During the last ice age, Lake Mungo was one of a series of freshwater lakes along Willandra Creek. Now known as Mungo National Park, the area covers an ancient dry lakebed and is the tourism centre of the Willandra Lakes World Heritage area. The region is located on the plains of western NSW, near Wentworth and Balranald.
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Mungo National Park is best known for the discovery of Mungo Man and Mungo Lady. The finding provided some of the oldest evidence of modern humans (homo sapiens) in the world. In addition, hunting tools, shell middens and bones of prehistoric megafauna have been discovered including the Genyornis newtoni, a flightless bird with legs as solid as those of a horse; Procoptodon goliah, the towering short-faced kangaroo, and the buffalo-sized Zygomatrurus trilobus (big wombat).
The striking 33km Walls of China were created by erosion which sculpted the sand and clay into dramatic formations. The landforms and sediments at Mungo provide a record of events during the Pleistocene period and are relatively undisturbed.
Harry Nanya Tours
"Harry Nanya Tours is an accredited Australian Aboriginal owned and operated multi award winning business including most recently the 2005 & 2006 BEA Business Excellence awards, 2002 NSW Tourism Award for Business Excellence, Mildura Murray Outback Golden Tourism Award 2001 and Award for Distinction for 2000 NSW Awards for Excellence in Tourism. The business is a member of Aboriginal Tourism Australia (ATA) Tourism Alliance Victoria, Mildura Tourism, Outback Regional Tourism.
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Mungo National Park contains the longest continuous record of Aboriginal life in Australia dating back 60,000 years ago to the present day. Join our local Paakantyi Aboriginal tour guide for an unforgettable experience. Your guide for the day will pick you up at your accommodation in an air-conditioned bus, along the 110km journey of unsealed road to Lake Mungo where they will explain the native flora and fauna of the area. Arriving at Mungo you stop at the Western lookout where you can overlook the lake from afar and enjoy a morning tea.
From here your guide will drive you through the now dry lake bed to the Walls of China lunette, a 30km crescent of sand dunes that were once shores to the lake. Join them on a 2km walk back in time as they show you ancient remnants and campfires, clear evidence of the oldest human occupation of the Aboriginal people.
Mungo now stands with breathtaking sceneries and eroding pinnacles of sand and clay in vibrant colours of the earth. After your walk relax for a while as lunch is served amidst the natural beauty of the lake.
Before the journey home visit Mungo’s information centre where your guide will share with you their dreamtime stories and interpret the history on display and take a short stroll through Mungo’s Historic Woolshed built by Chinese labourers back in 1869."
[Source: www.harrynanyatours.com.au]
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More Information Harry Nanya Tours of Mungo National Park Telephone: (03) 5027 2076 Tours from $80 to $155pp (based on 4 people). Price varies on whether you have your own transport or not. |
Prices correct as at 07/06/08
Mungo Lodge
“Undoubtedly the importance of the discoveries of Mungo Man and Mungo Woman and more recently the uncovering of the 20,000 year old footprints haven given prominence to the popularity of the World Heritage Listed: Mungo National Park. But this unspoilt paradise, located only 110km from Mildura has another evolving theme and is now home to a growing food scene.
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Mungo Lodge at the entrance to Mungo National Park has recently undergone a multi-million redevelopment of accommodation and experiences. It has 17 4 ½ star units, a quality restaurant, conference facilities and opportunities for indoor and outdoor dining. The restaurant area and bar are considered a ‘meeting place’ by locals, visitors to Mungo National park and guests of the Lodge. A melting pot of cultures and conversation, there is always a story or a local ‘yarn’ to be told.
The significance and the importance of food at ‘Mungo’ goes back in time. For about 15,000 years, Lake Mungo was a real lake and the site of a thriving aboriginal community. The fish in the lake provided plenty of food, as did the "mega fauna" of giant kangaroos and wombats ashore. There is evidence of ancient campfires and fossilised bones are not difficult to find for the astute visitor today.
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With food and wine continuing to be a valued guest experience, Mungo Lodge now boasts a menu of which focuses predominantly on quality regional food and wine, with reference to Aboriginal cuisine. With the move to environmental consciousness and carbon offsetting, consideration is given to reduce ‘food miles’ and where possible purchases made from the farm gate.
Set in such a unique environment, careful consideration has been given to ensure that the dining experience is enhanced. From: full moon dinners, dining under the stars, gourmet sunrise and sunset picnics, to selecting from the restaurants extensive menu, Mungo Lodge is a gastronomic delight.
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Environment
Given the remote location of Mungo Lodge the importance of implementing environmental sustainable practices is viewed a key element to the future sustainability and longevity of the business.
With our continuing drought conditions, water conservation is a number 1 priority to Mungo Lodge Management. Mungo Lodge operates solely on rain water. Rain is collected through a specially designed water catchment area (4,000m2), of which a second will soon be installed and also from the Lodge and cabin roofs (3,000m2). Tank storage capacity is 1.3 mega litres. Since implementing the first catchment area, 4 years ago, Mungo Lodge has collected 3.76 million litres of rain water. This unique design has ensured Mungo Lodge has not had to buy-in water and saved tens of thousands of dollars in operation costs.
Share the Mungo Secret
Mungo Lodge is a place of solitude and sophistication where guests will embrace and experience the true Australia. Whether they are exploring the National Park with an Aboriginal Guide, sharing in their stories, searching for bush tucker, or taking a tour of an outback working station with a local, this truly is an up close and personal Australian outback experience.
Come and experience this special part of Australia! It truly is secret to be shared!"
[Source: www.mungolodge.com.au]
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More Information Mungo Lodge Arumpo Road, via Mildura Telephone: (03) 5029 7297 Cabins start from $240 per night for up to 3 people. |
Prices correct as at 07/06/08