Sometimes when we need some nostalgic magic it’s good to remember special places we’ve visited. For me, there are few places in Australia I’ve travelled to that invoke such a sense of spell-binding wonder than Mungo National Park. There’s something magical, almost spiritual about the outback wilderness of Mungo in NSW.
Friends had told us how special it was. They also said it was hard to describe, that to truly understand you had to experience it firsthand, and they were right. But, I’ll try anyway.
Mungo is an archaeological wonderland. And seeing it for the first time is like stepping foot into another world. It felt as though we were on another planet. Red earth, vast barren plains and a dramatic landscape which transports you out of the ordinary.
Years ago this was a vast lake system. Today there are ancient lake beds and otherworldly shapes of the lunettes carved from ancient lake sand dunes gradually covered in clay over many thousands of years.
Here the oldest human remains were found outside of Africa, dating to around 40,000 years ago, Mungo man and Mungo Lady. These discoveries gave scientists clues on how ancient tribes lived and adapted to climate change more than 40,000 years ago. It’s mind-boggling stuff.
What a place to have a history lesson … learning about our world from Aboriginal elders in such an awe inspiring place. No wonder it has a World Heritage listing.
Such a dramatic landscape during the day
And at night as the sun lowers in the sky the magic intensifies.
Whether you camp under the skies and enjoy the bliss of a camp fire (which is what we did) or stay overnight in the lodge there’s a tangible sense of being somewhere magical.
Travel always transports us – special places invoking all our senses and heightening our experience. Mungo did that for me, it ignited all my senses and left an indelible impression. At night amongst starry clear skies it was easy to meditate and believe we were the only ones here.
Where ever you are today, I hope the magic of life inspires you. May you be transported to a place of beauty in your own world, where ever that may be. Have a magical weekend.
Great post, lovely images!
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Thanks so much.
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We did a day trip from Mildura to Lake Mungo and it was fantastic. I agree with you, it’s a place you have to see because description just doesn’t do it justice. I love your last sunset photo.
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Thank you. Glad you’ve been there for yourself as it’s so hard to capture the magic in photos.
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Excellent post. Your good wishes reciprocated
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Aw, thank you kindly Derrick.
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Gorgeous pictures… and very interesting post. Looks like an amazing place.
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Thanks Sandra, glad you enjoyed Mungo. It really is somewhere special.
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Awesome post, Miriam! And the photos are wonderful. I’ve not been there since I was a kid and to be honest, I’d forgotten all about it. It’s a great and timely reminder of the beauty of our own backyard 🙂
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So true Kim. We’re blessed to have so many spectacular places in Australia, many we forget about. Glad it brought back memories.
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Sure did, Miriam! My folks took me all around our lovely homeland when I was just nine. I’ve done domestic trips since but the Outback & the Bush are unparalleled in beauty.
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I agree, Kim. We went to the Flinders and Arkaroola last year and the scenery was breath taking, just loved it. I’d love to get to the Red Centre and the Kimberleys this year but time will tell.
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The Kimberleys would be stunning! Some beautiful waterfalls up there. I’d love to see Geikie Gorge too. My Dad’s travelled so much & The Kimberleys are his favourite place by far. I hope you make it there this year!
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I hope so too Kim. You’ll know about it if I go!
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Amazing photos! Thanks for sharing.
Hope you are having a magical weekend too 🙂
Arcane owl
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Thank you 🙂
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Welcome 🙂
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You’re right, Miriam 🙂
This place is more than magic
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Thanks, Monica.
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🙂
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Lovely shots. It’s a place I’ve always wanted to visit.
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Hope you get there one day. The photos here don’t really do it justice.
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This world holds so much wonder and today’s technology allows us to travel when we are unable to do so ourselves. The pictures are amazing and your words add so much to them. This is truly inspiring. Have a great weekend, Miriam 🙂
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I’m so glad you enjoyed this and that I was able to share this special place. Happy weekend to you 🙂
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Me too 🙂 Thank you!
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Lovely post, I also believe that it’s possible to feel the magic emanating from certain places. Concrete and cement only conspire to suffocate it.
have a magic weekend,
Dagmar
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Thanks for your lovely comment, Dagmar. Enjoy your weekend as well.
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Hopefully I can visit while on my circumnavigation! I expect diner and I’ll bring the brandy!
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You’ve got a deal!
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Another beautiful place to put on my bucket list…I’m going to need a bigger bucket.
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Haha. I think so, Don.
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Stunning postcards of the those sunsets! Thank you for sharing us your wonderful journey of this beautiful place. You are absolutely right, we always need to strive to feel the magic of Life, it keep us going forward, alive & inspired. Lovely post Miriam.
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Ah, thanks Christina, what a lovely comment.
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You are welcome.
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Gorgeous photos…looks like a unique place.
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Thanks, George. Perfect word to describe it, unique.
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What beautiful photos! Another place I’d like to visit some day!
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Thanks Ann, it really is very unique.
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Such an interesting landscape, for some people I’m sure it can appear almost alien. Thanks for sharing!
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You’re right Darcy. It’s almost like a moonscape, very surreal. Thanks for your comment.
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My pleasure Miriam 🙂
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Very interesting way to discover Mungo ❤ great pictures 👌
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Thanks very much 🙂
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Hi Miriam! Can I tell you a secret? I’ve wanted to visit Australia ever since I was in the third grade. Thank you for sharing a piece of your marvelous country with me today. I *do* feel transported.
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So glad I was able to share a piece of it with you, Lulu. And I really hope that one day you make it out here one day.
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Me too, Lulu! I feel transported as well! 🙂
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Looks awesome, inspiring post and photos Miriam.
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Aw, thank you so much.
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Thanks for sharing this. Being in big open places put things in perspective.
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It most definitely does, Louise.
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These photos are simply amazing. I can’t imagine how magical it must have felt to be there.
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Thanks Josh, yes Mungo is a very special and unique place to visit.
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So beautiful!
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Thank you Jessica.
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How are you doing? We took a mini vacation for the past few days.
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I’m doing okay Jessica. Glad you had a chance for a mini-break, have you come back nice and relaxed?
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Yes ma’am. Saw some breath taking places. Got mountain air in our lungs. Always revives the spirit.
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Good for you. Sounds absolutely perfect.
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I’ll try to post some photos tomorrow so you can see where we went.
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That would be great.
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How’s your mum?
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She’s the same. Saw her yesterday with the whole family around. Sadly no verbal response as usual but I think she knew she was with family. Thanks for asking.
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You bet. Think of her often, which is crazy since we’ve never even met. 🙂
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Just got goosebumps. I feel like we have. 🙂
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Old souls, I suppose! 🙂
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Where in NSW is this? I emigrated to NSW in 1971 and lived in Wollongong. I left in 1973 but returned for a visit a few years ago.
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It’s about 110kms north of Mildura, the closest city so it’s pretty accessible.
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I think I’ve been in Mildura. I’ll have to look at a map. So long ago…but this country is quite similar to the badlands in South Dakota, U.S.A. I lived 50 miles away from them and loved driving through them. It was necessary to veer off the main route to Rapid City to do so, but sometimes my folks indulged me. Especially after a rain when they took on paintbox colors.
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It sounds very special. When the rains come around Mungo the roads get closed and no one can get in (or out).
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A place that make people tick.. That’s important. 🙂
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Thanks for dropping by and your comment. 🙂
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Memories of Mungo. Must go back! Cheers.
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Always happy to rekindle memories.
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Where is this?
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Mungo is about 1.5 hours from Mildura which is about 6 hours from Melbourne.
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A very inspiring place, I am very interested in history.
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Thank you. Me too. I kept the words relatively brief on Mungo, though I could have written so much more.
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I will google too 🙂 Sounds like a fantastic place.
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Most definitely.
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