Barmah State Park (7,900 ha) and Barmah State Forest (21,600 ha) are on the Murray River flood plain between Echuca and Tocumwal, about 225 km north of Melbourne. Access the park from the Moira Lakes Road or Barmah-Picola Road, or via the Murray Valley Highway from Echuca and/or Strathmerton.

Together the parks make up the largest River Red Gum forest in Victoria. The area could almost be called a wetland as much of it is frequently flooded.

There are developed picnic and camping grounds with toilets, barbecues and picnic tables at Barmah Lakes and Ulupna Beach. Bush camping is permitted elsewhere.

As well as being an information and education centre, the Dharnya Centre on Sand Ridge Track near Barmah offers accommodation for groups. It was established in the 1980s to enable groups and individuals to learn about the heritage and ecology of the forest. Aboriginal Cultural Officers help visitors appreciate the history and culture of communities in the area.

The Strathmerton district includes Ulupna which is best known for the Ulupna Island reserve on the Murray River with several river beaches and a flora and fauna reserve. South-west of the island is Coonanga homestead (1866), of slab construction and comprising twelve rooms. There are original fruit trees in the ground, and the homestead is run by the Numurkah and District historical society. It is on both the Australian and Victorian historic buildings registers.

Ulupna has had a hotel, a creamery and two district schools. It is now a dairy and grazing district. Aboriginal artefact sites found on Ulupna Island are considered to be important.

The rich environment along the Murray River supported large numbers of Aboriginal people over many thousands of years. Descendants of these people still live in the area and are involved in recovering their heritage and in managing the natural environment.

Heavy cutting of trees began in the 1860s with the building of the railway line from Bendigo to Echuca. The durability of River Red Gum and its resistance to termites made it suitable for railway sleepers, building foundations, fencing, wharves and mine timbers. It was also used to fuel river boats. Some 2000 workers fed the sawmills, devastating the forest until regulations in 1877 introduced more controlled logging. Settlers began grazing their stock in the forest, and this practice continues.

The forest evolved in conditions of regular winter and spring flooding but modern water management has altered this. Water control subjects some parts of the forest to long and unseasonable flooding, and this has led to speculation about the future of the red gums.

The varied environment supports 219 species of birds as well as numerous mammals, reptiles and amphibians. The forest is on a major flightpath for migratory birds as well as being an internationally significant wetland breeding ground for waterbirds. Platypuses can sometimes be spotted in quiet backwaters.

The oldest River Red Gums in Barmah Forest are probably over 500 years old. They often grow to 30 metres, some reaching 45 metres. More than 80 per cent of the forest is covered by these sturdy trees, whose trunks develop a gnarled, rock-like character. They tend to grow out and branch more heavily than other trees. Old rotted limbs and hollows in the trees are nesting places for birds and animals.

The best times to visit are late spring, summer and early autumn.

Things you can do include:

• River Tours - Visit the Tourist Information Centre in Echuca for more information.
• Take the 60 km (two hour) self-drive tour to sites of historical interest in the Forest, including the Muster Yard, Punt Paddock Lagoon, Cornalla Landing and Green Engine.
• Learn more about the Aboriginal people and their culture at the Dharnya Centre, open from 10.30am - 4.00pm every day except Christmas Day, Good Friday and NAIDOC day (National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee).
• Follow the walking tracks, varying in length from four to seven km, signposted near the Dharnya Centre. Walking is most enjoyable on cool, sunny days, but tracks in the forest can be impassable after rain.
• See 500-year-old river red gums in Barmah Forest.
• Try canoeing or fishing on the Murray River.

Stuff you should know:

• Campsites must be 20 metres from any river, creek or billabong.
• Satisfactory toilet facilities must be provided (chemical toilets are recommended).
• Fires are permitted in properly constructed fire places or a pit at least 30 cm deep.
• You need to take all rubbish away with you.
• Keep to roads and tracks open to public vehicles.
• River red gums can drop their limbs in any weather - do not camp directly beneath them.
• After rain, check the condition of tracks with the rangers before walking in the forest.

Barmah Lakes
This informal camping and picnic area is on the banks of the lake. There are no formal paths around the campsite, but the ground is fairly flat. Access to the water is generally good, as the slope is gentle. There is no designated accessible toilet.

Dharyna Centre
Several walking tracks commence from the Dharyna Centre, leading through the red gum forest. These tracks are rough gravel but are reasonably wide and flat. Access to the river is good throughout the park, with the land sloping to the water's edge. The Centre, with interesting displays on the Aboriginal and European history of the Barmah Forest, is generally accessible, though car park and paths are unsealed.

Ulupna Island
There is a section at the western end of Carters Beach on Ulupna Island where a vehicular path leads directly onto the foreshore camping and picnic areas, and onto the beach. This area in particular has been assessed here. The facilities are very basic, consisting of a couple of picnic tables and pit toilets.

Nearby Parks
- Terrick Terrick National Park
- Warby Range State Park
- Whipstick Kamarooka State Park
- Leaghur State Park