About Barmah National Park
Barmah National Park is a 28,500-hectare protected area on the Victorian side of the Murray River near the town of Barmah in the Shire of Moira, Victoria. It protects the largest intact River Red Gum forest in the world within the Barmah-Millewa floodplain. Notable for its Ramsar-listed wetlands, diverse birdlife and Murray River frontage, it offers camping, walking, canoeing and cultural interpretation at the Dharnya Centre.
Visitors guide
Visitors can expect a flat floodplain landscape dominated by River Red Gum forest, wetlands, lakes and anabranches of the Murray River. The park has sandy river beaches, seasonal floodwaters, walking and cycling tracks, riverside campgrounds, picnic areas and boat ramps. Activities include bushwalking, birdwatching, fishing, canoeing and kayaking on the Murray River and creeks, and visiting the Dharnya Centre for interpretation of the natural environment and Yorta Yorta culture.
Key highlights
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Largest intact River Red Gum forest in the world within the Barmah-Millewa floodplain
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Murray River frontage with sandy beaches, creeks and Ramsar-listed wetlands
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Dharnya Centre cultural and environmental interpretation centre
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Extensive birdwatching with more than 200 recorded species including waterbirds and raptors
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Riverside camping and picnic areas such as Barmah Lakes and Ulupna Island access
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Canoeing, kayaking and fishing on the Murray River and Barmah Lake
History of Barmah National Park
The area was formerly Barmah State Forest, historically used for timber harvesting of River Red Gum, grazing and river trade. It was reserved as Barmah National Park in 2010 as part of the Victorian River Red Gum parks creation to protect the floodplain forest and wetlands. The park includes sites associated with historic river navigation, timber mills and pastoral use along the Murray River.
Culture & Context
The park lies on Yorta Yorta Country and is of deep cultural significance to the Yorta Yorta people as traditional lands with connections to the Murray River, wetlands and forest resources. The Dharnya Centre within the park provides interpretation of Yorta Yorta culture, heritage and ongoing connection to Country, as well as the ecological values of the floodplain.