Gunbower National Park
The wetlands and billabongs of the Gunbower forest are internationally recognised. When water flows along Little Gunbower Creek, the area is known for its spectacular birdlife. This is a great park for camping, fishing and relaxing on the bends of the Murray River.
Enjoying the Park
Walking
There are many short and long walks in the area. A 14km walking track near Koondrook will take you past the Eagle Tree and a number of cultural sites.
Scenic Drives
A leisurely half day drive, starting at Cohuna, links a number of historical, cultural and ecological sites.
The River Red Gum Drive is one of Victoria's Iconic Four Wheel Drives and follows River Track through the park. Information about the drive is available at visitor information centres.
The Gunbower Heritage River Trail is a 35km loop highlighting significant Indigenous and European cultural heritage sites. Map of Trail.
12 interpretive signs along the trail tell the stories of the forest families. Mostly wood cutters and timber workers that lived in simple shelters made from bush materials. Many survived on fish, rabbits and swan eggs. The 35 km circuit from Gunbower includes Torrumbarry Weir, Gunbower National Park and Master's Landing on the banks of the Murray River. Gunbower Island is internationally recognised as a wetland of significance for its importance to birdlife, native mammals and amphibians. The Gunbower National Park and Murray River Parks provide preservation for Red gum and Boxwood forests.
Gunbower forest drive
1. Ramsar Convention - Gunbower Island formed as the result of earth movements caused by the Cadell Fault around 20,000 years ago. The sign here explains the Ramsar Convention and why Gunbower Island is recognised as a significant wetland area.
2. Timber cutters steps - Here you can see large old stumps with slits cut into the sides. Woodcutters placed planks in these slits so that they could fell the tree at a height where the tree's girth was narrower.
3. Shillinglaw's Regulator - This regulator is used to control the flow of water through the forest, allowing water to flow from the Murray River along Yarran Creek. Water slowly dispersed through the forest along runners that you may have noticed crossing Five Sleeper Track.
4. Grey's Mill - This site was originally called Block 24 from which a mill operated in the 1870s. A fire in 1919 destroyed everything on Block 24. The area is now known as Grey's Mill after Frederick Charles Grey who ran the mill from 1905 until his death in 1912.
When the mill was in operation, this was a thriving community with a state school with an average of 19 students. Across the road you can see a water levy bank, thought to have been created by residents to prevent their homes from flooding.
5. Graham's Hut - This is the last remaining hut on the Victorian frontage of the Murray River from Torrumbarry to Swan Hill. Timber to build the hut came from the original Strachan farmhouse and was transported by horse drawn dray.
6. Wattle Creek - This damper area, covered in fallen timber, is a refuge for small animals. The tall trees provide nesting sites for many birds.
7. Cemetery Bend - The picket fenced graves are a reminder of the harshness and isolation of life in the forest.
8. Robsons Mill - This was the site of the first licensed mill on the island founded in 1875. The mill produced timber for the suburban market in Melbourne and the steam boilers on riverboats.
9. Nursery Bend - An extensive experimental nursery was planted here by the Forest Commission. A variety of trees such as Mountain Ash and Monterey Pine can still be seen.
10. Nursery Track - Notice the vegetation change from River Red Gum on the lower, sandier soils to Black Box at higher elevations where the soil has a higher clay content.
Fishing
The river is a breeding ground for native fish species such as Murray Cod and Golden Perch. A current NSW Freshwater Recreation Fishing Licence is required for the Murray River. A Victorian Recreational Fishing Licence is required for fishing in waters south of the Murray River.
Camping
Basic bush camping is available along the Murray River and Gunbower Creek on the island. A designated campsite with toilet facilities is also available downstream from Masters Landing.
Boating and Canoeing
The five kilometre canoe trail at Safes Lagoon, near Koondrook in Gunbower State Forest, will take about two hours to complete (return). Bring your own canoe and check water levels and access before you go.
Swimming
Swimming is popular, particularly at the sandy river bend beaches. Note: Take care when swimming - cold water and fast currents can be hazardous and there may be submerged logs. Diving or jumping into the water can be dangerous.
Significant Wetlands
Gunbower Forest, including Gunbower National Park and Gunbower State Forest, is an internationally significant floodplain system and the second largest River Red Gum forest in Victoria. Spanning 20,000ha, the forest has long been regarded as a valuable natural resource and supports habitat for endangered birds, animals, native fish and plants; internationally significant Ramsar wetlands; Indigenous and European cultural heritage sites; and River Red Gum, Black Box, and Grey Box communities.
Through the Living Murray program, environmental water is delivered to Gunbower Forest to maintain several permanent and semi-permanent wetland complexes, protect and enhance the River Red Gum communities and provide breeding opportunities for colonial water birds.
Environmental watering and recent flood events triggered significant breeding events of the Great Egret. Other significant bird species that utilise Gunbower Forest during periods of inundation are Little Pied Cormorant, Little Black Cormorant, White-necked Heron, Spoonbills, Darters, Australian White Ibis, Australasian Grebe and White-Bellied Sea-Eagle.
River Red Gums respond to environmental watering and natural flooding with flushes of new growth and some regeneration of understorey vegetation.
Hundreds of records were made from several frog species including Spotted Marsh Frog, Barking Marsh Frog, Perons Tree Frog, Pobblebonk and Plain Froglet. All species successfully bred in the flooded areas of the forest.
During flooding events and environmental watering, some parts of Gunbower National Park and Gunbower State Forest are closed to prevent damage to roads and tracks and for your safety. Please respect these closures and stay off wet and flooded tracks. Tracks will be re-opened when it is safe to do so.
History
Gunbower Island was frequented by two clans - the Barapa Barapa and the Yorta Yorta.
The Barapa Barapa and Yorta Yorta people have long connections with the area now known as Gunbower National Park. The area was known as Kanbowro - twisting and tortuous like the necks of the Black Swans. When exploring you may discover shell middens (kitchen hearths), burial sites and scar trees. These Australian heritage sites are protected by law.
In 1860 Fredrick Masters left Echuca in a rowing boat for Swan Hill, making camp at the site now known as Masters Landing. Fredrick built himself a permanent shelter from the bark of Grey-box trees. The house is still standing today, more than 150 years later.
In the 1870s, Paddle Steamers worked up and down the river six or seven months of the year. Goods were off-loaded at Masters Landing and taken to Gunbower by horse-drawn dray or wagon. Produce was brought to the site for the return trip to Echuca or loaded onto boats headed up the Darling River.
Access for Dogs
Dogs and other pets are not permitted in the park.
Accommodation
Nearby towns of Koondrook, Cohuna, Gunbower, Torrumbarry and Echuca have caravan parks, motel and bed and breakfast accommodation.
How to get there
Gunbower National Park lies along the Murray River between Echuca and Koondrook around 250km north of Melbourne. Access to the major entrances is via the Murray Valley Highway.
Location
Brereton Road, Gunbower 3566 Map
Web Links
→ Gunbower National Park (Parks Victoria)
→ Gunbower National Park - Park Notes (PDF)
→ Gunbower National Park - Map (PDF)
