Irymple - Kings Billabong Wildlife Reserve - Mallee

Irymple - Kings Billabong Wildlife Reserve

Bordered by a wide stretch of the Murray River just minutes from Mildura, Kings Billabong Park is an ideal place to discover local river wetlands, nature and history. The park is home to majestic River Red Gums and a fantastic variety of birdlife.

Many of the tracks in this park lead to perfect shady sites along the Murray. It is a great place for camping. Once camp has been set up, the days can be spent canoeing, kayaking, fishing and bushwalking.

Enjoying the Park

Walking

Walking tracks cater for all fitness levels.

Kings Billabong Nature Walk
In 1889, Canadian engineers George and Ben Chaffey set about irrigating Mildura. Invited by the Victorian Government to establish an irrigation system for the new settlement, the brothers installed huge pumps at Psyche Bend and began pumping water from the Murray River to Kings Billabong. The billabong was the central water distribution point for what would eventually become a huge wine and fruit-growing district.

Now a 2,000 hectare wildlife reserve, Kings Billabong is a popular spot for walking, cycling and birdwatching. To find the start of the walk, turn east onto 11th Street from Deakin Avenue in Mildura. Follow 11th Street for approximately 5 kilometres and turn left into Irymple Avenue and follow for 4 kilometres. Turn right off Irymple Avenue at Kings Billabong Wildlife Reserve sign and follow the Parks Victoria wooden signs to the walk. Follow the 4 kilometre loop track past river red gums, keeping an eye out for the region's waterbirds, including ducks, spoonbills and kingfishers, and birds of prey such as whistler kites and marsh harriers.

Distance : 4km
Duration: 2 hours return
Start and Finish: Kings Billabong Wildlife Reserve, Mildura

The track through Kings Billabong continues on to the original Psyche Bend Pump house. The oldest intact irrigation station in the country, the pump house used to deliver 6.4 million litres of water an hour to the billabong. The new pump station stands alongside.

Extension - Psyche Bend Pumphouse
Distance: 8km
Duration: 2 hours one way
Start: Eleventh Street Irymple Avenue, Mildura
Finish: Psyche Bend Pump house

Kings Billabong Lookout
Take a short 200m loop walk down to the water's edge and enjoy spectacular panoramic views over the Billabong.

Bird Hide Loop Walk
Starting at the Billabong Walks car park, this is an easy 3.5km loop walk for the whole family. View the abundance of waterbirds living on the largest part of the Billabong from the bird hide.

Ducks Foot Lagoon Walk
This moderate 9.5km loop walk, also starting at the Billabong Walks car park, offers fantastic photographic opportunities and a longer walk for those with more time to explore the park.

Canoeing

The Billabong is excellent for canoeing and kayaking. Enquire at the Mildura Visitor Information Centre for opportunities to explore the Billabong with local licensed tour operators.

Bird watching and photography

The Billabong is a birdwatchers' paradise with Australian Pelicans, Black Swans, Herons and many species of ducks. A bird list for the Mallee area is available from the Mildura Visitor Information Centre.

Picnics

Enjoy the many picnic facilities provided throughout the park, offering delightful views of both the Murray River and the Billabong.

Camping

Camping in Kings Billabong is dispersed, meaning you can select your own site. Many of the tracks lead to perfect shady sites along the Murray River. An area just downstream of Psyche Pumps caters for caravans and campervans.

Fishing

A New South Wales Freshwater Fishing Licence is required to fish in the Murray River. A Victorian Recreational Fishing Licence is required in Victorian waters. Certain exemptions are available. Contact fisheries officers for details.

Psyche Pump Station

The steam-powered pump was built in 1891 by the Chaffey Brothers from Canada to meet the needs of the Mildura Irrigation Settlement. The pump was replaced in 1959 by an electric pump.

The restored steam-powered pump at Psyche Bend operates on key holiday weekends. Check with the Mildura Visitor Information Centre for opening hours.

No camping is permitted around the Psyche Pump Station

Kings Billabong Wildlife Reserve

Access for Dogs:

Dogs are permitted in the park and must be kept on a leash.

Location and Access

Kings Billabong is on the Murray River floodplain 8km south-east of Mildura, in the north-west corner of Victoria. It can be accessed via Eleventh Street.

Review:

The best place to start walks seems to be the Billabong Walk car park which is reached via quite a rutted and rough road. If you reach the intersection of Irymple Road and Billabong Road, continue down the gravel road along the Murray River and follow the signs to the Billabong Walk car park. This car park has toilets and unshaded tables and is the starting point for a range of walks varying from 1 hour to 4 hours return.

We did the Bird Hide Loop Walk which was 4.3 km in length. There are seats and information boards along the route and a bird hide overlooking the billabong. The view at the Bird Hide was slightly obstructed by reeds. We saw pelicans, cormorants and ibis at the hide and plenty of birds flitting through the trees along the route. The path is wide and well formed and the route is well sign posted with directions and maps.

Photos: