Ulupna Island

Ulupna Island lies at the eastern end of Barmah State Park which is a part of the largest river red gum forest in Victoria. The island is bounded by the Murray River and its anabranch, Ulupna Creek. It is located in Northern Victoria, with the nearest town being Strathmerton.

The island is popular as a camping destination and is rich in wildlife, with many Goannas, Eastern Grey Kangaroos and Koalas visible all year.

The Ulupna Island Flora Reserve^[1] is heritage listed as a place of natural significance on the Register of the National Estate. The Statement of Significance cites "Unlike the remainder of the Barmah forests, Ulupna Reserve has suffered remarkably little from the impacts of grazing and logging. Therefore it is an important reference area for studies of the impacts of these activities on the red gum forests of the region"^{[2] [3]}.

Day 4 & 5 ~ Thursday 9th & Friday 10th April 2009

With basic camping essentials loaded in the tray of our trusty rodeo dual cab, and Pop Bourke's trusty boat hooked on, we travelled with friends to Ulupna Island for a camping adventure. Caleb, Jaida and Jaxon excited to be going back to the place where koalas can be seen amongst the river red gums, sandy river beaches and fast flowing water. Anticipating how soon we will arrive and be set up at camp.

There has been talk of rampant blue /green algae, but the river flows so rapidly along this stretch (due to shallow sandy outcrops in the river (someplaces you can almost walk entire across the great Murray out here.)) that algae did not pose a problem for water fun!

Ready for a roam, we take the boat out once we're set up and settled, first the little people Jaida and Jack, heading downstream for a meander, then Caleb and Shaylee with Michelle upstream :) I was poised at the front of the boat on sumberged log watch, although many evident outcropping from the water, the danger lurked below, because we would need to glide and lift hte propellor of the boat where necessary, this is not a place for speedboats and skiers, for jet skis, caution is required, at some points steady and slow navigation. Its' amazing how quickly a complete sandback ripples under the surface. Its' relaxing, the breeze in blowing wisps in your face, the everchanging scenery around you. Campers still coming in and setting up along the banks, across sandy beaches that stretch for miles. All seeking solace, space, an Easter adventure of the great outdoor kind.

Murray River at Ulupna Island, taken while cruising downstream

Thursday night watching the sun sinking in the west, skies tainted glorious hues of pinks, oranges as it settles in for the night, to the east the a bright moonlight sky evolves, it sneaks up, at times masked by sheer cover clouds, tiny hints of glowing light escaping and streaming down through giant and historic red river gums. We settle in around our campfire, basking in the glory of such a sense of stillness around us, friends together, enjoying a night of wilderness, and of course no camping trip without cooking marshmellows in the glowing embers of our campfire :)

Good Friday, what a surprise to have a fire truck roll in to the campsite collecting for the Good Friday Appeal. Caleb's eyes glowing as the fire truck nears, running excitedly towards us. This little boy lives, dreams, eats, breathes firemen and their shiny red vehicles. They are his heroes, his role models and his efforts were rewarded with the screeching of the siren (after mummy politely requested it from the CFA accompanying the vehicle.) ... What a way to start the day!

Friday afternoon (after I'd walked about 4.4km with the girls) we took Jaxon, Caleb and Jaida and meandered upstream as far as we could seek out. Eventually being forced to turn and go back with no way through the shallow, rippling currents, swirls and eddies' of the river, logs above and below stopping our grand tour.

Where the river ended our grand touring ...

Like all good fun, it soon comes to an end, with family coming for lunch on Saturday, our roamings were over, too soon for me, yet its' always nice to come home and have a hot shower and wash the dust of the land away ...

There will be more camping fun, that can be assured around here.

More Ulupna Island Camping photos can be found on my Facebook HERE