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Mitchell River
National Park
Mitchell River National Park surrounds
the spectacular Mitchell River where it passes between high cliffs.
There are several gorges, including the Den of Nargun mentioned in
Aboriginal Legends. Remnants of temperate rainforest line some of the
gorges. The park is 11,900 ha in size and contains some of Gippsland's
best forest country.
Things to Do
- Canoeing or rafting provides the
easiest access to much of the park and there are long walks through
the Mitchell River Gorge. The river offers the canoeist short day
trips or extended touring through tranquil pools and turbulent
rapids down to the Gippsland Lakes. The best time is from July to
December.
- The Mitchell River Walking Track
follows the west bank of the river downstream from Angusvale through
the gorge to the Den of Nargun. This is a two-day walk of 17 km.
Half way through the gorge is Billy Goat Bend with a spectacular,
semi-circular cliff known as the Amphitheatre.
- It is possible to drive to the car
park and picnic ground of the Den of Nargun at the southern end of
the park. Steep but well made walking tracks lead to the actual
cave.
- Hunting is permitted in accordance
with the regulations
- A circuit walk takes in the Bluff
Lookout and the Mitchell River.
Facilities
- Den of Nargun picnic ground has
barbecues, toilets and water.
- Billy Goat Bend Lookout has tables
and barbecues.
- Augusvale camp has pit toilets.
- A commercial caravan park off
Dunbar Road is accessible from the Den of Nargun car park.
Heritage
Aboriginal people hunted in the area
and often spoke of the Den of Nargun, a shallow cave beneath a small
waterfall on the Woolshed Creek. Aboriginal legend describes the
Nargun as a beast that was all stone except for its hands, arms and
breast. The fierce creature would drag unwary travellers into its den,
and any weapon directed against it would be turned back on its owner.
Australian Paper Manufacturers Ltd
donated 143 ha to the State in 1963 to preserve the environment.
Glenaladale National Park was formed, and in 1986, additions were made
to create Mitchell River National Park.
Fauna
More than 150 bird species and 25
mammal species have been recorded in the park including 6 species
which are rare or threatened in Victoria. The satin bowerbird
frequents the rainforest.
Vegetation
Giant kanooka trees grow out of the
water amid a tangle of vines, ferns sprouting in profusion. Within the
gullies grow pittosporum, lillypilly and yellow-wood, their trunks
covered with ferns and mosses. On the ridges above the river a drier
forest of wattle and eucalypt predominates.
Looking After
the Park
- Light fires in cleared areas and
keep them small.
- Please take your rubbish with you.
Precautions
- The river should be attempted only
by experienced canoeists and not when in flood.
How to Get
There
Mitchell River National Park is 300 km
from Melbourne (Melway ref: 508 C9). From the Princes Highway (west of
Bairnsdale), approach the park via Lindenow or Fernbank along the
Bairnsdale-Dargo Road to Waller Road.
For further information go to Parks
Victoria web site.
Mitchell River N.P. |
