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Use your imagination around the water's edge. Fifty thousand years ago the buffalo sized Zygomaturus would be grazing right where you stand. Walk back in time as you visit ancient Aboriginal camp sites. Discover 10,000 years of wombat remains revealed by the drifting sands. Get your camera ready to capture vast white sand dunes contrasting against the red outback sun! 40,000 Years - not that long ago Mungo National Park is steeped in ancient history. The park covers most of this ancient dry lakebed on the plains of western New South Wales. You are looking at lakes that preserve the longest continual record of Aboriginal life in Australia, dating from 40,000 years ago. Due to the evidence of past climatic conditions preserved in the park's landscapes and in recognition of its Aboriginal heritage, Mungo National Park was added to the World Heritage list in 1981. See for yourself the 'walls' containing extremely well preserved campfires, cooking hearths and now exposed hairy-nosed wombat burrows. In fact, evidence of the oldest recorded cremation in the world has been found at Mungo. Mungo man has recently been redated
using thermo luminescent dating techniques to 63,000 years old.
Be amazed by the magnitude of the great crescent shaped dune - or lunette - along the eastern shore of Lake Mungo. The layers of clay and sand in this, and other lunettes in the region, are like a weather gauge, recording past climates. Up until 15,000 years ago, the rivers in this area ran high and the lakes were full. Then the climate changed and the lakes have been dry ever since. Investigate the change in vegetation from the slightly salty soil of the lakebeds supporting Salt and Bluebush to the Belah trees found on the sand plains. The vegetation of Mungo National Park is typical of the dry plains of western New South Wales, as is the wildlife. Red and Western Grey kangaroos and echidnas are found in the park. Lizards include shinglebacks, bearded dragons and geckos. Native birds such as emus, pink cockatoos and orange and white fronted chats can also be seen. Enjoying the Park is Easy A Visitor Centre near the park's entrance provides a range of information about the park facilities and accommodation. Pick up a Visitor's Guide while you're there and explore the well marked driving and walking tours at your own leisure. In dry weather, the roads at Mungo are easily negotiated. Mungo offers you plenty of spots to enjoy a relaxing picnic with all the amenities. Or, during school holidays, you might like to take advantage of the daily ranger-guided tours. Mungo is a step back in time and an indication of things to come. No doubt, each time you visit, there will be more to see and a better understanding of what history lies beneath the impressive landmarks. Just watch out for the Zygomaturus!
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Reading
the Land
