While Hattah-Kulkyne National Park is set to close on Tuesday 23 June for a conservation program, Parks Victoria has confirmed Murray-Kulkyne Park will remain open, including access to camping along the river bends.
That means the river side of River Track — the Murray-Kulkyne Park side — is still an option for those chasing a weekend away on the Murray, provided visitors stay out of the closed national park area and follow all signs on the ground.
And what a part of the river it is.
This stretch has some of the best river camping you’ll find anywhere on the Murray. Big old river red gums, sandy beaches, quiet bends, and those classic winter days where the sun still has a bit of warmth in it before the temperature drops away at night.
I might be a bit biased, but some of the beaches through here would have to be right up there with the best along the whole river. Pull up beside the Murray, find a good patch of sand, watch the light drop through the gums, and it’s not hard to see why people keep coming back.
With cool nights settling in, it’s also prime campfire weather — where allowed and safe, of course. A camp chair, a bit of smoke in the air, something simple on the fire, and the river sliding past in the dark. That’s about as good as a Mallee weekend gets.
Parks Victoria has also advised that works and access changes are happening in parts of the broader area, so visitors should check the latest conditions before heading out, take notice of closure signs, and avoid crossing River Track into closed areas.
In short, the lakes side might be out for this closure, but the Murray side is still very much alive for a winter weekend away.
And if you ask me, a cold night under the red gums beside one of those sandy river beaches is not a bad Plan B at all.