The Wyperfeld National Park is the third-largest national park in Victoria, Australia. It is located in the Mallee district, about 450 kilometres (280 miles) north-west of Melbourne. The park was established in 1921 and has grown larger over time to protect 357,017 hectares (882,210 acres) of mallee, woodland, and heathland. Along with the Hattah-Kulkyne National Park, Murray-Sunset National Park, Lake Albacutya Park, and Murray-Kulkyne Park, Wyperfeld National Park is managed as part of the Victorian Mallee Parks.

History

Wyperfeld, like much of north-western Victoria, was once a shallow sea about 25 million years ago until more recent times. The land shapes we see today formed as the sea slowly moved away between 40,000 and 15,000 years ago, leaving behind a large area of sand and other materials. As this area dried, the sand formed into dunes.

Before Europeans arrived, temporary lakes in the region filled with water and then dried up again every 20 years on average, usually staying dry for about 10 years. In recent times, farming activities such as irrigation and drainage projects in nearby areas have reduced the amount of water reaching Wyperfeld. Because of this, the lakes have not filled completely since 1975, and they dried up again just two years later.

Environment

In years with enough rain, the Wimmera River fills Lake Hindmarsh, which is located south of the park. The water then flows over Outlet Creek and fills Lake Albacutya, which lies directly south of the park. If there is enough rainfall in the area, the water continues to flow north into Wyperfeld, creating a series of smaller lakes. These lakes support diverse plant and animal life that grows near black box and river red gum trees. Despite flooding that occurred downstream in 2011, the park has not received any water for many years.

The reserve is part of the Wyperfeld, Big Desert, and Ngarkat Important Bird Area, recognized by BirdLife International for its role in protecting malleefowl and other mallee bird species.