Balranald Gateway to Mungo National Park. Balranald the oldest settlement on the Lower Murrumbidgee River, with records dating back well before 1850. In 1847 and 1848 George James McDonald, the Commissioner for Crown Lands for the lower Darling District, came to the embryo village.
McDonald, a Scotsman was from a small town called Balranald in the Outer Herbrides, and perhaps it was natural for him to christen his adopted place of abode Balranald. Bal (Celtic) means abode, township, a village thus Balranald signifies an abode of Ranald. Balranald, today is considered to be the Gateway to Mungo National Park.
The first National Park to be World Heritage Listed in Australia, Mungo National Park covers most of an ancient dry lakebed on the plains of western NSW. During the ice ages, Lake Mungo was one of a chain of fresh water lakes strung along Willandra Creek and then the main channel of the Lachlan River flowing to the Murrumbidgee.
Today, a great crescent-shaped dune (lunette), the Walls of China, stretches along the Eastern Shore of Lake Mungo. These dunes have been continually eroding over time by wind and water carving out spectacular fragile formations comprised of sand and clay. This continual erosion by the wind and water has also uncovered extensive evidence of the Aboriginal occupation of this area. These lakes preserve the longest continual record of Aboriginal life in Australia dating from 40 000 years ago through to the present.
From the Outback and its spectacular sunsets to an Oasis in the Great Cumbungi Swamp (One of New South Wales' largest wetland areas) a vast variety of birds, flora and fauna providing a smorgasbord of opportunities for professional and amateur photographers and birdwatchers alike. Balranald offers some of the best fishing in Australia with five rivers all within 1 / 2 hours drive of the main street.
Temperatures for Balranald
Balranald has hot summer temperatures. The summer high temperature for Balranald is approximately 32 °c. The summer low temperature is approximately 15 °c.
Balranald has mild winter temperatures. The winter high temperature for Balranald is approximately 16 °c. The winter low temperature is approximately 4 °c.
MONTH | LOW °c | HIGH °c |
January | 16 | 32 |
February | 16 | 32 |
March | 13 | 29 |
April | 9 | 23 |
May | 6 | 19 |
June | 4 | 16 |
July | 3 | 15 |
August | 4 | 17 |
September | 7 | 20 |
October | 9 | 24 |
November | 12 | 28 |
December | 14 | 31 |