Moorook to Perry Sand Dunes

The Perfect Rippled Dune - 2009

This - our second visit to Perry Sand Dunes, was just about as good as they last, but a few things got in the way of really being able to enjoy it.

As it was school holidays, many tourists around and this wonderful area, had just been decimated by people who have no respect for this wonderful environment.

How The Dune Had Changed Since the Last Time We Were Here

The Ruination as a Result of People Sliding Down The Dunes on Anything From Cardboard Boxes to Car Bonnets - just the Rubbish left Behind!!

It is sad to see, what is usually such a pristine and unique area left in such a state, and maybe it has come time to have the area closed off to the public and access via tour operators only - much like the Anna Bay Dunes, near Nelsons Bay in NSW.  Sand Dunes such as this are a slowly dying across Australia and we need to preserve what there is left of them.  My little soap box bit!!!

For a little history of the area  :-  According to geologists, the Perry Sandhills originated after an ice age (40,000 years ago) and are formed by wind erosion over thousands of years. The dunes are located just outside of Wentworth (6km from PO), and are a unique land formation of 400 acres of continuously shifting sand dunes.

Skeleton remains of giant mega-fauna (kangaroos, lions, emus and wombats) have been found there. Replicas of these animals are now on show at the Pioneer Museum in Wentworth. Aboriginal tribes used this area to camp and hunt. Evidence of this is still being uncovered as the sands drift.

Once in the carpark walk behind the shelter and locate a single Murray River Gum tree in the middle of the sand. Climb the dunes and walk in under the canopy of the Murray River Red Gum -possibly more than 500 years old. The sand over time has completely covered the trunk (perhaps 15 to 20 feet) and youll find yourself in the bower of this age old tree - a magnificent sight!!

Barry Atop One of The Many Dunes Trying Out His New Camera

Look Hard Enough and There Will Be Those Lovely Ripples

Overlooking One Of The Dunes

The Struggle Of Life

The sandhills were used as a bombing range during WWII. Now, the area is utilised as backdrop for many films, T.V. shows and ads, theatre/music presentations.

If ever in the area, Perry Dunes is certainly worth the visit.

Came home via the township of Wentworth and the highway back to Moorook.  Just wonderful travelling through the Mallee Country and with the country looking so good after all the rain, the wild flowers are out and make a wonderful sight.

Claypan Grasses

Claypan

Flowering Carpet Of Yellow

Old Mallee Fence

Ruins Of Times Past

Aftermath of the Rains

Murray River Cliffs at Paringa

Emus on The Dunes

There is a free camp at Perry Dunes, but fairly basic, but good enough to be able to spend a couple of enjoyable days wandering the dunes....

Stay tuned for our next journey as we move on further down the Murray.