A visit to Mungo National Park in South-West New South Wales is worth the effort but you will need to come prepared, both for the thrill of discovery but also for this harsh, unforgiving landscape.

Starting at the Mungo Woolshed, follow the signs that take you back towards the park entrance. This 31km dedicated cycling trail needs to be ridden in an anti-clockwise direction so that when you link up with the vehicle circuit near the Zanci Buildings, you are are not going against the flow of traffic.

At the top of the rise, follow the signs to your left and head out towards the Mungo Lookout where need to turn back down on to the lakebed.

This is where the saltbush begins and as you follow the soft, sandy track, keep your eyes peeled for emu and kangaroo that are likely to be out feeding. They will make every effort to avoid you, but they do enhance the experience and are wonderful to watch as they watch you.

Can you hold the stare longer than they can?

You will have noticed that this is a well maintained and obvious track so you should not have any problem following it around the park boundary to Red Top Tank where there is shelter and (unfortunately when I was there), an empty water tank.

Out to your right, you will see a road snaking up to the top of the sandy ridge. This is the Red Top Tank Lookout and if you haven’t seen it already, I would suggest adding a kilometre (return) to your ride and taking in this view of the lunettes (also known as the Walls of China).

These severe erosion patterns have been created by water running down the front of the dune, cutting gullies and as the sand has been removed, exposing bones, baked clay (from camp-fires) and even animal dung.

If you have good eyesight, you may spot mussel shells dug from the shore of the lake when it held water about 18,000 years ago and cooked for food by the local aboriginal peoples.

Returning to the trail, continue your anti-clockwise ride, crossing the road out the ‘wall’ viewing area and around the lake bed to eventually rise up into the dunes again at Zanci Homestead ruins.

By the old stockyards, take the Pastoral Trail back down onto the lakebed again and continue for about three kilometres until you return to your starting point at the woolshed buildings.

If you are up for the challenge, you may also like to ride the longer Lake Mungo Discovery Loop over two days.

Trail Summary

  • Name: Lakebed Loop
  • Region: Mungo National Park
  • Start: The Old Woolshed near the Visitor Centre
  • Finish: The Old Woolshed near the Visitor Centre
  • Length: 31km
  • Time:  2 – 3 hours
  • Type: Loop
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Suitable for: Walkers , mountain bikes and those of at least average fitness
  • Terrain: Generally flat with one short climb where you leave the lake bed
  • Surface: Mostly sandy, loose gravel
  • Signage: Well sign-posted including interpretive boards
  • Hazards: None
  • Facilities: None along the trail so take plenty of water, including some spare
  • Best Times: Autumn and Spring. The track is closed after rain and the summer heat will fry you!
  • Maps: Make sure that you collect maps and supporting brochures from the Mildura Visitor Centre at 180-190 Deakin Ave before heading out to Mungo. This information will make your visit much richer and the map will help understand the landscape.