Balranald Area - Balranald
Balranald is considered to be the Gateway to Mungo National Park and was the first national park to be World Heritage Listed in Australia. Mungo National
Park covers most of an ancient dry lakebed on the plains of western New South Wales. During the ice ages, Lake Mungo was one of a chain of fresh water
lakes strung along Willandra Creek and then the main channel of the Lachlan River flowing to the Murrumbidgee.
Today, a great crescent-shaped dune (lunette), the Walls of China, stretches along the Eastern Shore of Lake Mungo. These dunes have been continually
eroding over time by wind and water carving out spectacular fragile formations comprised of sand and clay.
This continual erosion by the wind and water has also uncovered extensive evidence of the Aboriginal occupation of this area. These lakes preserve the
longest continual record of Aboriginal life in Australia dating from 40 000 years ago through to the present.
Visitors to Balranald can see spectacular sunsets, the oasis in the great Cumbungi Swamp (One of New South Wales' largest wetland areas), a vast variety
of birds, flora and fauna providing a smorgasbord of opportunities for professional and amateur photographers and birdwatchers alike. Balranald offers
some of the best fishing in Australia with five rivers all within 30 minutes drive of the main street.
