Guide · Outback New South Wales ·
Mungo National Park: Walls of China and Lake Mungo
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Mungo National Park is a dry, wind-carved corner of outback New South Wales, about 110 km north-east of Mildura. It is the heart of the Willandra Lakes Region, which UNESCO listed as a World Heritage property in 1981. The park is best known for the Walls of China, a long ridge of sand and clay, and for the burials found beside the dry bed of Lake Mungo.
This guide covers the drive from Mildura, road conditions, the guided walk to the Walls of China, fees and what to bring.
Sources for this section: UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Willandra Lakes Region; NSW National Parks, Mungo National Park; Visit Mungo, Getting there.
Why Mungo matters
NSW National Parks calls Mungo the home of Mungo Lady and Mungo Man. It says they were buried on the shore of Lake Mungo more than 42,000 years ago. UNESCO describes a cremation of around 40,000 years ago at Willandra as the oldest ritual cremation site in the world. It also says people had reached Australia by 42,000 years ago.
The land is of great importance to the Ngyiampaa, Mutthi Mutthi and Southern Paakantyi peoples. NPWS works with elders from the three groups to manage the park together. The World Heritage property covers about 240,000 hectares, and the park is one part of it.
Sources for this section: NSW National Parks, Mungo National Park; UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Willandra Lakes Region.
Getting to Mungo from Mildura
Mildura is the easiest starting point. The drive north-east is 20 km on sealed road and 88 km on unsealed road. Plan on a full morning or afternoon in the car each way. Rental cars are available in Mildura.
| Starting point | Route |
|---|---|
| Mildura | 20 km sealed, then 88 km unsealed |
| Wentworth | Sealed road 119 km to Pooncarie, then an unsealed turn-off 22 km before it, and 59 km to the park |
| Balranald | About 150 km, mostly unsealed |
| Ivanhoe | About 170 km south-west on mostly unsealed back roads |
All routes use two-wheel-drive unsealed roads, so you do not need a 4WD in dry weather. There is no mobile coverage in the park. Carry a good paper map, and a satellite navigation device if you like.
Sources for this section: Visit Mungo, Getting there; NSW National Parks, Mungo National Park.
Road conditions and closures
Roads are the main risk on this trip. Rain can close the unsealed council roads that lead to the park, and roads inside the park too. Visit Mungo says access to the Walls of China can close even if you got through the council roads.
- Check road conditions on 03 5027 5040 before you leave.
- Check the current alerts on the NSW National Parks Mungo page.
- Ask at the Mildura, Wentworth or Balranald visitor information centres. Mildura's is open every day except Christmas Day.
- If rain is forecast, have a plan to stay put or turn back.
NPWS says the park is always open but may close in poor weather or high fire danger. Conditions change fast, so check again on the morning you drive.
Sources for this section: Visit Mungo, Getting there; NSW National Parks, Mungo National Park.
The Walls of China walk
You can only walk onto the Mungo lunette, the Walls of China, with a guide. NPWS says access to the lunette is by guided tour only. An NPWS Aboriginal guide leads the walk and tells the story of more than 40,000 years of history at Lake Mungo.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Length | 2 hours, walking 2.5 km |
| Grade | Medium, on formed track, boardwalk and soft sand |
| When | Most days, with times shown when you book |
| Meet | Behind Mungo Visitor Centre, 15 minutes before the start |
| Adult | A$50 |
| Concession or child 5 to 16 | A$35 |
| Family (2 adults, 2 children) | A$135 |
| Under 5 | Free |
You drive your own car behind the NPWS vehicle to the Walls of China car park. Bookings are required, by phone on 1300 072 757 or online. The park takes no cash. If NPWS cancels a tour for bad weather, extreme heat or a park closure, you get a full refund. There is no wheelchair access.
Sources for this section: NSW National Parks, Mungo lunette guided tour.
Fees and where to stay
Park entry is A$8 per vehicle per day. You pay with a self-registration envelope outside Mungo Visitor Centre. Different fees apply to tour operators and vehicles with eight or more seats.
NPWS lists a main campground and Belah campground in the park. It also lists the Mungo Shearers' Quarters for a roof over your head. Other stops in the park include the Mungo Visitor Centre, the Mungo self-guided drive tour and the Zanci Homestead site. Many visitors base themselves in Mildura and make the trip in a day, but the long drive means camping gives you more time on the lunette.
Sources for this section: NSW National Parks, Mungo National Park.
What to pack
- Water and food for the whole day, because there is no mobile coverage and the roads are long.
- A paper map and a charged satellite navigation device.
- Sun protection and sturdy shoes for soft sand.
- A full tank of fuel and a spare tyre.
- The booking confirmation for your tour.
Check the weather forecast before you go. If the roads close, the tour may not run, and you should not push on.
Sources for this section: Visit Mungo, Getting there; NSW National Parks, Mungo lunette guided tour.
Sources
- NSW National Parks, Mungo National Park: nationalparks.nsw.gov.au
- NSW National Parks, Mungo lunette guided tour: nationalparks.nsw.gov.au
- Visit Mungo, Getting there: visitmungo.com.au
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Willandra Lakes Region: whc.unesco.org