Mungo National Park

Looking across the baked, crusty earth that gives way to lumpish formations sculpted by wind and water and further on hill-sized dunes of pure white sand. The sun beats down from a sky so blue and so wide the occasional bird of prey scanning below for lunch stands out like a beacon.

The landscape is other-worldly, almost what you'd expect the rover Curiosity currently charting the surface of Mars to see.

This is Outback Australia, no doubt about it, but the interesting thing is that Mungo National Park in south-western New South Wales is one of the more accessible parts of the Outback to major population centres, and certainly one of the more fascinating.

Being just over 100km from Mildura in north-western Victoria and about 1000km due west of Sydney, Mungo is far easier to get to by car than (say) Ayers Rock or Coober Pedy yet arguably gives sightseers just as much bang for their visual buck.

Anyone thinking of visiting would do well to take the extra time and explore the area. A loop of a few hundred kilometres takes you to Broken Hill with its beautiful old buildings, art galleries and restaurants, then on to Menindie and its vast lakes, and Mildura with its burgeoning foodie scene.

The World Heritage listed National Park is based around Lake Mungo, the lake has not seen water in 18,000 years. Instead, its 200 square kilometers is a flat expanse of salt bush stretching from horizon to horizon. The tallest things out there are the small groups of emus plucking red berries from the blue bush.

 

But don't think for a moment that Mungo is a barren, empty wilderness. The major draw-card is on the eastern side of the lake where over millennium prevailing westerly winds have built up a 30km crescent-shaped arc of clay and sand called a lunette that has in turn been eroded into fantastic buttresses and gullies, colored white, red and yellow depending on the age of the sediment.

The area is known as the Great Walls of China and as well as being a spectacular place to explore and photograph, it is also of great cultural significance.

This was once the shore of the lake, a place where the local Aboriginal people fished, hunted, camped, cooked and dream of the land's beginnings. It is the place where the skeletal remains of Australia's oldest human inhabitant have been found, appropriately named Mungo Man, who was buried around 42,000 years ago. For modern day explorers the clues still remain of these early inhabitants.

Strong winds the previous week had shifted sand to reveal a pair of small white objects poking out of the hard-packed surface. They were the teeth of an extinct (in this region) hairy-nosed wombat, the little brother of much larger fauna such as the rhinoceros-sized Zygomaturus that lived in the area up until 45,000 years ago and was possibly hunted to extinction.

You can learn all about the history, geology and ecology of Mungo at the excellent visitor's centre built next to the shearing shed and homestead of what, up until the 1970s, was a sheep station.

There's also a self-guided drive around the park of about 70km that introduces a diverse variety of landscapes including the vast expanses of ancient lake bed (home to kangaroos, emus and echidnas), rolling sand dunes and the bird-filled stands of mallee woodland. At every turn, visitors are encouraged to park their car and walk through the various habitats - except for the Great Walls of China with its delicate, easily eroded surface which requires a guided walk to ensure its preservation.

It takes a good couple of days to properly explore the Park and accommodation is available at the comfortable and spacious Mungo Lodge, the more basic Shearers' Quarters near the old homestead, or various camping grounds inside and outside the Park.

The Park is closed at times due to poor weather or extreme fire danger. For up to date reports, always check with the park office on 03 5021 8900.
Access to the park costs $7 per car per day. Well worth a Visit..

 

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Dangers and safety - Water Skiing

Though swimming is not strictly a necessity to learn or start water skiing, it is always advisable to have learned the art of staying afloat on the water. One can always wear lifejackets to stay afloat in case of losing balance.

However, there are other dangers also. Skiing on shark-infested waters is always dangerous. When the activity is performed in rivers and lakes, the danger or attack from marine creatures is limited. But the same is not the case when skiing on the seas.

This peril was caught on camera in one of the Jaws series. The movie has kept a generation of people away from waters, and quite possibly from the sport of water skiing. 

Another danger is hidden or submerged rocks. These could ambush skiers and throw them of balance. However, this danger is minimal as most skiing is done over waters that has been tested and is familiar for the skiers. But when skiing over waters that is not familiar to the skier, or is not chartered, then the danger from rocks is real.

The skier always faces the danger of losing balance and crashing in the water. This could affect even experienced skiers. While skiing at high speeds, the skier could lose balance and fall. The impact of the human body on water while at high speeds can be  fatal for the skier.



The best way to avoid such problems is to ski with experts or in groups, so that there are other people to come to your rescue when something untoward happens. It is imperative that skiers always take safety measures before embarking on the activity.

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Water Skiing Safety and Inspiration

Water skiing has its flip side too. It is definitely not for the weak-hearted. If you cannot stomach water and getting wet, well stay away from even watching a skiing show on the TV. Also, those with spectacles have major trouble skiing.

Wearing contact lenses would mean the risk of losing them. Whereas, wearing spectacles means water droplets on the glasses and hazy vision. Drowning is another real problem facing water skiers.

The disabled people too can enjoy the joys of water skiing. Of course, the rules for participation of the disabled are mentioned and understood. This is a sport where the competition is primarily between you and yourself. To compete with oneself as anyone would vouch is the toughest thing to do.


Water skiing, though a high-adrenaline activity, it complements health too. It regulates metabolism and improves immunity. Well, that's true for almost all sports.

Every sports activity requisites different sets of skills to cope with the drills and water skiing is no exception. Certainly, balance plays a vital role in this activity. Balance stems from determined concentration and unwavering focus. And of course, concentration is achieved only when your heart is in it. First, have the passion for the sport and then it is only natural that the other traits would follow. After all, the mind is where the heart is!

You can mold water skiing the way you want it. The rules of the engagement are for fun and safety.

No one stops another from trying to innovate. Once you take to the sport, always remember that an individual found it and promoted it. You could be the special one who could make it better or even more spectacular.

Try out your permutation and combinations on the flowing and still waters and see what you can do.


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"International Talk Like a Pirate Day"

September 19 be "International Talk Like a Pirate Day" AARRGG

A little video to help you on your way matey.

[All Hope Abandon, Ye Who Enter Here To This Pirate Cove For More Treasure]

Upcoming Events in Sydney - September

Whats On!

Kids in the Park – School Holiday Program

Where: Sydney Olympic Park
For all the details, click here

ART AND ABOUT SYDNEY 2012 – IN COLOUR

When: 21 September – 21 October
Location: Various Sydney locations

The theme for Art & About Sydney 2012 is “In Colour”, which looks at how we process colour and how it affects and inspires us, both as individuals and as a city.
We encourage people to join in the colour and fun from 21 September to 21 October when our streets come alive with works from international and Australian artists, curators, major cultural institutions and the people of Sydney.
See the website for full program details artandabout.com.au

WILLIAM STREET LANEWAY FESTIVAL

When: 29 September
Location: William Street, Paddington

The William Street Laneway Festival is a true Sydney first. With no car access for the day, retailers and the community have the opportunity to reclaim this unique shopping precinct! William Street transforms into a canvas for a festival encompassing fashion, music, food and community. The public will have access to installations and one day only offers from the unique and eclectic stores that make up this Paddington gem.
For more details click here

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Water Ski Tricks and treats

Attached to a board and being pulled at high speed by a boat along water body might not be too appealing to many, but those who swear by the fun that water skiing brings on are many.

The added attraction is the possibility of being able to perform various 

tricks and stunts while being pulled by a boat.

The speed of the boat ensures that the skier is afloat while at the same time gives the person the ability to jump, stand on one leg, or do other such things. A popular trick is using the hands to stand on the water.

A skier uses his legs to hook onto the rope that is attached to the boat. Using palms, he stands upside-down and allows himself to be dragged. There are several other forms of tricks, the most common one being standing on one leg.

This is what most first-timers would try to do as soon as they think they have got a hang of the activity. Often, it ends up in humorous situations.

Jumping over a ramp is also an eminently enjoyable trick. A skier is pulled onto a ramp that is kept at an angle to the water body. The ramp, facing the sky, gives the skier the elevation required to be suspended in the air for a few seconds.

Before splashing down, the skier can do some stunts like somersault or twists and often draw huge response from an audience. Show skiing is another captivating and delightful activity.

 

Water Ski Equipment

Four basic types of water skis are available on the market:

* Combination: The most common types of water skis sold today are combination skis. The skis have a wider tip, so they're the best style to learn on and are preferred by beginners and advance skiers alike.

* Slalom skis: Used by skiers who prefer to use just one ski. By skiing on one ski, the athlete is able to make sharp turns and reach faster speeds.  Recreational slalom skis have a wider tail and a flatter bottom to make it easier to get up and ride straight, while advanced skis have a more tapered tail with beveled edges and a tunnel bottom. These are more difficult to ski on, but will take the skier on a much faster ride.

* Trick skis: Extreme athletes use trick skis to pull off the most outrageous stunts. Trick skis are for spinning, jumping and busting extreme moves in (or over) the water. These are shorter and wider than other style of water skis, and require much more skill. There are no fins on the bottoms of trick skis, so it's easier to slide and turn, but harder to make controlled moves while water skiing.

* Jump skis look like old-fashioned skis, but are made from a hi-tech composite material to make them stronger. As the name suggests, jump skis are used for jumping off of ramps.

The other essential piece of water skiing equipment is a rope. This is what connects you to the boat. Make sure that you have a proper rope with an appropriate handle. Water ski ropes have a flexible elastic quality, so they're able to change speeds and move with the skier. In normal conditions, polypropylene ropes will stretch two to three percent of their standard length of seventy inches.

The comfort of the rope handle is very important, and every water skier has his or her personal preference. Recreational water ski handles usually have a plastic or rubber grip. The plastic molded handles are strong and durable, and will float when dropped in the water. High-performance handles are generally comprised of an aluminum bar covered with a comfortable rubber grip. The construction is lighter, but more comfortable and durable than a molded plastic handle. Higher performance handles are hollow, so they sink when dropped in the water.

It's suggested that you wear goggles while water skiing, especially if you need to wear your eyeglasses. Protective goggles will stop water and debris going into your eyes, and will prevent your glasses from flying off and sinking if you fall into the water.

Water skiing is great exercise and a super fun way to enjoy a sunny day with friends. Strap on a lifejacket, grab some skis and make the most of your day on the water.

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