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Nyah- Vinifera‐ Park

Visitor GuideThe 1370ha Nyah Vinifera Park, on the floodplains of the Murray River, is perfect for recreational activities and provides great opportunities to enjoy the magnificent Murray River and the River Red Gum forests.

Enjoying the parkThe park offers a wide range of popular activities including camping, fishing, boating, four wheel driving, trail bike riding and walking.

Camping -‐ Dispersed vehicle- based camping‐ is available throughout the park with direct access to the Murray River. Camps must be at least 20 metres from the Murray River water line.

Fishing - ‐ The river is a breeding ground for native fish species such as Murray Cod and Golden Perch.

A current NSW Freshwater Recreation Fishing Licence is required for the Murray River. A Victorian Recreational Fishing Licence is required for fishing in waters south of the Murray River.

Boating -‐ The river here is suitable for small fishing boats with a shallow draft. This part of the river is not suitable for water skiing due to snags and reefs.

Swimming is popular throughout the warmer months at the many sandy beaches. Cold water, submerged logs and strong currents exist in the Murray River. Diving or jumping into the water can be dangerous.

Four Wheel Driving is permitted within the park. Vehicles must be registered and remain on formed tracks.

Trail bike riding is permitted within the park. Vehicles must remain on formed tracks at all times. Riders must be licensed and vehicles registered and roadworthy. Recreation registration is permitted.

Flooding in Nyah- Vinifera‐ ParkHigh river flows along the Murray River in recent years have spilled water into parts of Nyah-‐Vinifera Park to water River Red Gums and connect the river to wetlands and creeks.

River Red Gums respond to environmental watering with flushes of new growth and regeneration of understorey vegetation. Where environmental watering has not occurred trees show signs of leaf size reduction, canopy thinning and die back.

Flooding also encourages native fish to spawn in the higher river flows and, with water flowing into the wetlands, they become important nurseries for the species.

Where possible, environmental water delivery is combined with high river flows to produce significant improvements to the health of the park, as well as a return of waterbirds and frogs.

Being a natural wetland, Nyah- Vinifera‐ Park retains floodwater for many months following inundation. During flooding, visitor access is limited, often for long periods. Visit www.parks.vic.gov.au for up- to-‐ date‐ conditions.

Be fire ready and stay safeOn days of forecast Code Red Fire Danger this park will be closed for public safety.

If you are already in the park you should leave the night before or early in the morning for your own safety.

Closure signs will be erected and rangers will patrol where possible, however you may not receive a personal warning that the park is closed so check by calling 13 1963 or visit www.parks.vic.gov.au.

For up to date information on fires in Victoria or general fire safety advice call the Victorian Bushfire Information Line on 1800 240 667 or visit www.emergency.vic.gov.au.

For more information call Parks Victoria on 13 1963or visit www.parks.vic.gov.au

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Swan Hill Gliding Club

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Nyah Vinifera Park

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Nyah-Vinifera ParkTo Piangil

8kms

Lake Goonimur

For further informationCall Parks Victoria on 13 1963or visit www.parks.vic.gov.au

Swan Hill Region

Information Centre

Cnr McCrae & Curlewis StreetsSwan Hill VIC 3585

Freecall: 1800 625 373

Caring for the environmentHelp us look after your park

by following these guidelines:

Please take rubbish with you for recycling or

disposal

All plants, animals, historical and archaeological sites and

geographic features are protected

by

law Firearms are

prohibited

Camps must be at least 20 metres from waterways. Pit toilets must be at least 100

metres fromwaterways

Collect only dead wood from the ground for

campfires

No fires may be lit on a day of Total Fire Ban. Built in or portable gas and electric barbecues may be

used provided:

• a 3 metre area is cleared ofanything flammable

• at least 10 litres of water is available for immediate

use• an adult is in attendance at

all timesNyah-‐Vinifera Park is in the Mallee

Total Fire Ban DistrictIt is your responsibility to know if it is a day of Total Fire Ban. If

in doubt call the Victorian Bushfire Information Line on 1800

240 667

Dogs are permitted in the park but must be kept on a lead at all

times

Vehicles, including motor bikes, may only be used on formed open roads. Drivers

must be licensed and vehicles registered and

roadworthy

Healthy Parks Healthy People

Visiting a park can improve your health, mind, body and soul. So, with over four million hectares of parkland

available to Victorians, why not escapeto a park today! Traditional Owners

The park contains important cultural sites for the Wadi Wadi Aboriginal people. Aboriginal people have lived along the Murray River for thousands of years. When exploring you may discover scarred trees, artefacts, shell middens and oven mounds.

The Wadi Wadi people have a strong connection to this land and play an important role in the protection of Nyah- Vinifera‐ Park. Traditional Owner knowledge assists with management of the land and recognises the unique relationship of the Traditional Owners of the land.

HistoryMany sites along the river remind us of the river’s important history -‐ old sawmills, punt landings and sites associated with the riverboat era.

The Takasuka levee bank is an example of early water diversion to grow rice. Jo Takasuka (pronounced Ta-‐ kaska) was born in Matsuama, Japan in 1868 and came to Melbourne in 1905. In 1906 he was granted 300 acres of Murray River floodplain to pioneer the Australian rice industry. Seed from the Takasuka rice crops was used to breed the rice still grown in

Australia today.

Before European settlement, most of the River Red Gums were huge old forest giants, with the floodplain covered in tall reeds called Cumbungi. Box trees on the edge of the floodplain were prized as posts. Many trees were cut for building and fuel for the steam powered water pumping station, paddle steamers and the local hospital boilers.

Eastern grey kangaroos

Plants and animalsNyah-‐Vinifera Park is noted for its variety of riverine landforms and its significant vegetation communities.

The vegetation is almost entirely River Red Gum with a groundcover of native and introduced grasses. The Parnee Malloo Creek flows when the river is high and remains as a series of billabongs at other times. Most of the forest is seasonally flooded in four out of five years.

River Red Gum forests have high natural, cultural and economic values. These forests are under increasing pressure from climate change, drought and reduced water flows in the northern rivers.

Protecting this precious environment relies on balancing the economic and recreational activities with preserving its natural beauty and values.

Only about 22 per cent of the pre-‐European settlement riverine

forests and wetlands remain. Much of the land has been cleared, fragmented and degraded over the last two centuries.

Without improved environmental flows many of the riverine forests and wetlands may be lost forever.

Protected fauna species found in the area include Inland Carpet Pythons, Grey- crowned‐ Babblers, Australian Shovelers, Intermediate Egrets, Hardheads, Musk Ducks, Royal Spoonbills and Diamond Firetails.

Royal Spoonbill

For your safetyAvoid resting, picnicking or camping under or close to River Red Gum trees. They may drop heavy branches without warning.

Take care when swimming -‐ cold water and fast currents can be hazardous and there may be submerged logs. Diving or jumping into the water can be dangerous. Rope swings are not recommended. Their use may cause injury.

How to Get ThereAccess to Nyah-‐Vinifera Park is via River Road off the Murray Valley Highway between Wood Wood and Vinifera. Two-‐wheel drive access is only available when dry.

June 2014Printed on Australian- made‐ 100% recycled paper