KINCHEGA National Park, August 7th

Kinchega National Park is situated between the mighty Menindee Lake and the River Darling on the Eastern Boundary and encompasses Cawndilla Lake to the South and West and beyond. Approximately 44 000 Hectares in area, there are camping sites, scenic drives and historical locations to enjoy in typical semi-desert surrounds. After thousands of years as traditional Aborigine occupancy, the Park was once the 800 000 Hectares Kinchega-Kars Pastoral Lease; from 1870 to 1967 when the Kars Lease was dedicated as a national park. Instead of sheep, the park is now home to Kangaroos and Emu, numerous birds and apparently, a lot of desert reptiles of which we managed to keep clear.
The Park has several highlights, the original homestead site and the old original shearing shed is really something to see. In the shed are the left over overhead pulleys that drive the shears, old wool press and the steam-boilers that powered the original machines of the shed. The old shearing quarters have been restored and made into conference rooms, accommodation and catering facilities.
There are three self-guided drives around the park, subject to weather conditions, can be done with a 2-wheel drive vehicle. However, it only needs a little rain to make some areas very sloppy and boggy. The River Drive would be worse affected if wet. This drive though, proved to be the most interesting to us. After visiting the Shearing Shed, we found our way onto the river-side track and as the river winds itself in a serpentine manner, there were many scenic spots to photograph. The river over time has cut deep into the flat plains at the edge of the Park and most of the banks were quite steep to the water’s edge. There are pointers on the track indicating the floods of 1976 and 1983-1984, several feet above the existing banks of the river. Bird-life, Emu dad with chicks and the odd lazy kangaroo added to the pleasure of the drive. The “road” around the river is a 2-wheel track with dips, tight turns and overhanging trees. A highlight of the River Drive is the wreck of the Paddle Steamer Providence, Australia’s only inland ship-wreck. Only part of the boiler remains where it was blown to when an explosion demolished the boat and killed members of the crew. It seems that the crew had been sampling the delights of the Menindee pubs before stoking the boiler fire but forgetting to fill the water tank.
There are about 35 allocated camping spots along the river, ideal for tents and camper trailers but not suitable for our caravan; the sites are ok, just getting there would be dicey. Weir 32 is a popular spot and here we spotted several anglers that were actually catching fish.
Caravans can be camped at the Cawndilla Lake site; this is a good area at the lake side that should appease canoeists or bird watchers alike. Sunsets over the huge lakes are spectacular and when the air is still, the reflections of the submerged trees, clouds and the flaming red rays of the sun make for one of nature’s most beautiful sights.
Kinchega National Park, a place to visit again.

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