Balranald

Balranald is a small country town on the Murumbidgee River in far north-west New South Wales, and the gateway to Mungo National Park.

Natural wonders
The World Heritage-listed Mungo National Park is 150 kilometres north-west of Balranald. The park covers an ancient dry lake bed featuring crescent-shaped dunes, where evidence has been found of human settlement dating back 60,000 years. Recently the oldest human footprints in Australia, estimated to be up to 23,000 years old, were uncovered.

History
Various early explorers - including John Oxley in 1817, Charles Sturt in 1830 and Sir Thomas Mitchell in 1836 - visited the area. It was Mitchell's enthusiastic comments about the quality of the land in the region that encouraged settlement, and Balranald was gazetted in 1851. As a crossing point on the Murrumbidgee River, Balranald prospered throughout the second half of the 19th century.

Discover local histories along the Balranald Heritage Trail, which passes sites of historic significance. A map is available from the Balranald Visitor Information Centre. 

Fishing
A picnic on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River offers peacefulness and many a good catch. Fishing is a favourite pastime amongst visitors and locals alike.