Mallee Cliffs National Park is opening to the public for one day only

The public will have its first exclusive opportunity to step inside mainland Australia’s largest feral predator-free area when Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) and NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) host an open day at Mallee Cliffs National Park.

Managed by AWC and NPWS, Mallee Cliffs National Park in south western NSW is home to 9,570-hectare feral predator-free fenced area which enables the reintroduction of 10 regionally extinct mammal species, including the Greater Bilby, Numbat and Woylie (Brush-tailed Bettong).

Brad Leue/AWC

For the first time visitors will have the unique opportunity to step inside the feral predator-free area on Thursday 5 May 2022 with two public tours departing 8.30am and 1.30pm (AEST).

The half-day tours will take visitors through the old growth Mallee woodlands where they will learn about the impact of feral cats and foxes on our wildlife, effective conservation methods from AWC’s dedicated field ecologists and land managers.

Visitors will also hear about the successful reintroduction program and if they’re lucky, they may catch a glimpse of a striped Numbat as it searches for termites.

Wayne Lawler/AWC

“We’re thrilled to finally be able to welcome visitors to Mallee Cliffs National Park and pass on our knowledge on the conservation work carried out to protect native wildlife,” said Bruce Summerfield, Australian Wildlife Conservancy Operations Manager at Mallee Cliffs National Park.

“They’ll hear about our plans for future reintroductions and see some of our effective land management techniques in person.”

Brad Leue/AWC

National Park Wildlife Service Area Manager Jo Gorman said the Mallee Cliffs National Park site was part of a ground-breaking program.

“Australia has the worst mammal extinction record in the world. Many surviving mammal species, along with many birds, reptiles and amphibians, are threatened with extinction and are continuing to experience significant declines due to the impact of feral cats and foxes.

“A network of predator-free areas, like the one in Mallee Cliffs National Park are an essential part of our strategy to protect and restore our most vulnerable native species,” she said.

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The two tours will depart on Thursday 5 May 2022 at 8.30am (Morning Event) and 1.30pm (Afternoon Event). Each tour will have a maximum capacity of 30 people.

Cost is $30 plus booking fee per child and $45 plus booking fee per adult. A family pass for two adults and two children is available for $120 plus booking fee. Tickets include a return bus trip from Mildura (meeting point) to Mallee Cliffs National Park, light refreshments, water and an allocated AWC field ecologist guide.

Registrations will close on 1 May 2022 or when tickets are exhausted. Participants will meet at the Mildura Grand Hotel on Seventh Street 30 minutes before the bus leaves Mildura. Participants will also be required to provide proof of double vaccination and a negative PCR or RAT test 24 hours prior to arrival.

For more information or to register, click here.