Barmah National Park: Collection of Guides for Seasonal Planning and Regional Landscape Study

World's largest river red gum floodplain forest on the Murray River

Barmah National Park

Barmah National Park represents one of Victoria's most ecologically significant protected areas, preserving a remarkable floodplain ecosystem that has shaped both the natural and cultural history of the Murray River region. The park's landscape is dominated by river red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) forest forming an open woodland with a distinctive upper canopy and sparse understory of native grasses, sedges, and rushes. This forest type is interspersed with expansive treeless freshwater marshes that transform dramatically with seasonal flooding cycles. The park forms part of the broader Barmah-Millewa Forest, which at 60,000 hectares spans across the border into New South Wales and constitutes the largest continuous river red gum forest anywhere on Earth. The ecological importance of this landscape is underscored by its designation as a Ramsar wetland of international importance, recognizing the critical role it plays in supporting waterbird populations and maintaining floodplain processes. Visitors are drawn to Barmah for camping, walking, fishing, boating, canoeing, and swimming opportunities that allow them to experience this unique environment firsthand. The park's proximity to the Murray River provides additional recreational possibilities while connecting visitors to the broader river system that has defined the region's identity for millennia.