Murrumbidgee Valley

Murrumbidgee Valley National Park is a semi-arid river red gum and woodland park in the Riverina region of south-western New South Wales, protecting significant stretches of the Murrumbidgee River floodplain and adjacent woodland between Narrandera and Hay. Covering approximately 17,740 hectares, the park preserves important examples of river red gum forest, black box woodland, and semi-arid shrubland typical of the inland river systems of south-western NSW. The park protects critical habitat for waterbirds, colonial nesting species, and the unique flora and fauna of the Riverina floodplain.

Murrumbidgee Valley National Park supports diverse wildlife of the inland river system. During floods, the river red gum forests become productive waterbird breeding colonies with straw-necked ibis, royal spoonbills, herons, cormorants, and egrets nesting in large numbers. The Murray-Darling turtle and Murray cod inhabit the river. Eastern grey kangaroos and eastern wallaroos are common on the woodland margins. Superb parrots and regent parrots visit the woodland in season. Platypus occur in permanent reaches of the river.

River red gum forest dominates the active floodplain, with large, ancient trees that may be several hundred years old. Black box woodland occupies the higher floodplain terraces. Semi-arid shrubland with chenopod saltbush and bluebush extends across the drier interfluves. Native grasses and ephemeral wildflowers carpet the woodland understorey after flooding. The plant communities are adapted to the boom-and-bust cycles of flood and drought that characterise the inland river system.

The park is situated on the Riverina Plain, underlain by alluvial sediments deposited by the Murrumbidgee River over millions of years. The flat alluvial plain is crossed by the river and its tributaries, with the floodplain subject to periodic inundation. Ancient river channels and billabongs are preserved in the park's landscape.

The park has a semi-arid continental climate. Annual rainfall is approximately 350 to 450 millimetres, falling mainly in autumn and winter. Summers are very hot, typically 32 to 40°C. Winters are cold with overnight frosts. Flooding typically occurs in late winter and spring following snowmelt in the high country.

The Wiradjuri and Nari Nari peoples are the traditional custodians of the Murrumbidgee River country. The river provided abundant fish, waterbirds, and freshwater resources year round. European pastoralists established the Riverina pastoral industry in the 1840s, and irrigation development has transformed the surrounding landscape.

Murrumbidgee Valley National Park was established to protect the semi-arid river floodplain communities and the significant waterbird breeding habitat. The park preserves examples of the original Riverina floodplain ecology that has been extensively modified by irrigation development.

Waterbird watching during and after floods is outstanding, with large colonial nesting events among Australia's most spectacular wildlife events. The river red gum forests provide excellent camping in a semi-arid setting. Fishing for Murray cod and golden perch is popular. Canoe camping along the river is possible.

The park has basic camping areas with limited facilities. Access is via roads from Narrandera and Hay. Narrandera provides visitor services. The park is approximately 450 kilometres south-west of Sydney. A national parks pass applies.

Environmental flows for the Murray-Darling Basin are critical to maintaining the floodplain ecology and waterbird breeding habitat. Managing feral pig and carp populations is important. The park's river red gum communities are nationally significant and listed as a threatened ecological community.