Xplore

Australia is a parched and dry continent surrounded by ocean and is notable for many things. Unique wildlife abounds, rainforest canopies reach out to coral reefs in our northern parts, deep blue skies touching red sand dunes in our deserts lands.

It is also a country that has had the footprint of time etched into its landscape over the Millennia by a proud people, Australia’s first Nation People and in more recent times by European settlement.

Heading north after a very pleasant stay at the Homebush Hotel in Penarie we continue our journey through the western parts of New South Wales to the World Heritage Willandra Lakes Region and our destination, Mungo National Park.

For many, this is a special place in our landscape, both physically and spiritually and is home to the oldest human remains in Australia.  Buried in the land are artefacts and evidence of a continuous record of aboriginal occupation for over 50,000 years.

On our travels we usually take a kayak to assist us in exploring our waterways, whether it be our spectacular coastline, an inland river or lake, or even a billabong or waterhole nestled in the landscape.  However, there is no water in this area of note, in fact Lake Mungo hasn’t had water flowing into it for thousand’s of years.

Consequently, the red dust accumulated from days of outback travel remains encrusted on the kayak…!

The park, which is run and managed by Aboriginal Rangers, only reopened in the days leading up to our visit. With the potential for the Covid-19 virus to weave its tentacles into our indigenous communities many national parks in the area have been closed over the past few weeks.

Our campsite at Mungo Lodge, a private facility situated just outside of the National Park, is a wonderful base to explore the area from. A highlight is the magnificent ‘Mungo Lunette’ that stands out on the horizon.

There is a large woolshed on display and a loop drive through the park where you can marvel at the tenacity of the Cob and Co Coach drivers’ who guided their horses and rigs over the soft sand dunes as they made their way to these remote settlements.

 It would have been no mean feat…

We have endeavoured to capture some of the beauty of this region in our photographs, taken at the Lunette on sunset, and there is much that can be written about Mungo and the Willandra Lakes Region.

However, we feel it is a story better told through the eyes of the people who have left their footprints in this sandy landscape over the Millennia – since their ‘Dreamtime’.

Be sure to visit to learn more…!

Photos: Janet & Baz

About us…

We love the colours of the Australian Outback, the ochre red earth touching a deep blue sky on a faraway horizon; and the fabulous coastline of our sunburnt country, where a golden sandy beach is washed over by a turquoise blue sea; and the characters you meet in a quiet country pub, where it is nothing flash, but you are enriched by the encounter…

A few years ago we decided it was time to graduate from work and re-enter the classroom of life, where an education is guaranteed and all that is needed is an open mind.

Thanks for joining us in the adventure…!

Cheers, Baz & Janet