Explore Mungo National Park with Mr German Ugarte from Outback Geo Adventures

Mungo National Park, comprised of a chain of ancient dried up lakebeds and sand dunes was Australia's first national park to gain World Heritage Status. It's regarded as one of NSW’s most significant national parks due to its archaeological treasures, and to this day you can still see the remains of human settlement from 60,000 years ago. 

Mungo National Park and the Willandra Lakes Region World Heritage Area are carefully managed by government agencies including National Parks and Wildlife, the Paakantji, Ngyiampaa and Mutthi Mutthi Aboriginal tribal groups, landholders, scientists, and local councils to protect and present the areas special values into the future.

One of the best ways to explore this incredible national park is with a local geotourism operator. Meet tourism operator, German Ugarte from Outback Geo Adventures, who shares his experiences from his home of Balranald, a major entry point to Mungo National Park.

Tell us a little more about your background and how you ended up in Balranald?

I have been involved in tourism for about 20 years, working with Indigenous communities in remote areas in the south of Chile, and many years working in Local Governments in Australia. In 2011, I had to the opportunity to come to Balranald and work for the local council to develop Balranald's tourism strategy.

My first impressions of Balranald were the friendliness of the people, the quietness and the feeling of remoteness. After a year working for the local Council, I realised I was missing that sense of adventure, and exploration. During a BBQ with friends it was suggested that I should start a tour company and take people to the parks. That was the turning point and we decided to create Outback Geo Adventures. Bye, bye 9 to 5, bye to "Mondayitis" and welcome to the free world and reconnecting with nature!

What do you love most about this part of New South Wales?

The sense of isolation, open spaces, the friendliness of country people and not spending hours in traffic to get to work.

Balranald region has five amazing rivers, we're not far from bigger cities, and everyday feels like a Sunday. Many people have the idea that there's not much to see around here, but I can easily prove them wrong. We have an array of landscapes with unique characteristics including ancient flood plains, thousands of hectares of river red gum forest, vast Mallee Eucalyptus country and the beauty of the Belah scrub country. Over 150 species of birds have been recorded in the area, not counting the endless number of reptiles in the region. There's always something new to learn about, from frogs to insects, from fungi to arachnids. You name it we have it.

What’s the strangest/most interesting experience you’ve had on one of your tours?

A few years ago we held our monthly Mungo Full Moon tour and witnessed a lunar eclipse, which was pure magic. Our Full Moon tours are incredible just the way they are but the eclipse added an extra ingredient that made it so special. We had about 10 passengers on the tour and everyone was in awe watching this unbelievable event, on top of Mungo's Walls of China.

What’s the thing you love most about your job?

I have the chance to meet so many people from all walks of life and to deliver a product of excellence that will be remembered. Many people go to Mungo National Park for a once in a lifetime experience, so everything has to be special and perfect. Many people have been waiting for years to go to the park, so being able to take them is an enormous responsibility and an honour that they have put their trust in you. By the end of a tour we are all best mates and it is sad to say goodbye at the end; you get attached to people straight away.