I started my trip to the Mallee parks with a quick visit to Lake Tyrrell, Victoria's largest salt lake. There was a short walkway across samphire flats passing little pools to the edge of the main lake. I was surprised how big it was. 2.8 kms
Then I went on to Kings Billabong near Red Cliffs. I couldn't drive right to the parking area so I had to walk a bit extra. Almost immediately I surprised some kangaroos. I did a loop around the parcel of land enclosed by the billabong and Ducksfoot Lagoon. The billabong was full of pelicans and ducks and very calm. I walked to a bird hide through buloke woodland with a view of the whole billabong, and then across to the lagoon, much smaller with lots of ducks. I saw a few parrots. 10.5 kms.
In the late afternoon I went to look at the red cliffs on the Murray. They are quite a surprise, on the Victorian side just along this one bend of the river. By climbing through a fence I could walk along the top of the cliffs for better appreciation.
Next day I went to Hattah Kulkyne national park. Last time I went there it was all flooded and I couldn't do any of the walks. This time everything was open and the place was deserted. I drove to the Warepil lookout for a view over the park and started a loop walk to a couple of lakes hidden in the woodland. The red earth terrain was undulating with mallee gums and scrub. I heard a strange sound and an emu appeared! It was a long way to Lake Konardin, a largish lake, and I was able to walk by the shore for a while. 
It looked like flooding had recently receded.
Then I went on to Lake Mournpall and sat at the empty campsite. It had become quite hot. I walked back to the lookout on a different trail. I camped at the Lake Hattah campsite (which was completely under water last time).
There was a tall egret standing completely still at the lake edge staring intently at the water; in the morning it was back in the same position. It was a clear starry night. 15 kms
It looked like flooding had recently receded.
Then I went on to Lake Mournpall and sat at the empty campsite. It had become quite hot. I walked back to the lookout on a different trail. I camped at the Lake Hattah campsite (which was completely under water last time).
There was a tall egret standing completely still at the lake edge staring intently at the water; in the morning it was back in the same position. It was a clear starry night. 15 kms
Next day I walked a loop from the campsite around Lake Hattah and a couple of smaller lakes. The terrain here was different: brown flood plains with mallee and buloke. I saw lots of galahs, cockatoos and ring neck parrots. The highlight was three emus strolling across the trail. I saw a few kangaroos and later another emu. 10.6 kms
Late afternoon I went to Murray Sunset national park and had a quick look at the pink lakes. I walked along Lake Crosby through the samphire and over a grassy ridge to Lake Kenyon, very pretty. 
This part of the park is a little oasis among farming land but you would never know this from the lake shores. I finished the loop and went on to Lake Becking, a smaller round lake. Then I returned along Lake Crosby as sunset approached. Everything was purple. I saw a trio of bright yellow Regent parrots and plenty of green ring necks. I camped by Lake Crosby and when the moon rose it was extremely bright. 7 kms
This part of the park is a little oasis among farming land but you would never know this from the lake shores. I finished the loop and went on to Lake Becking, a smaller round lake. Then I returned along Lake Crosby as sunset approached. Everything was purple. I saw a trio of bright yellow Regent parrots and plenty of green ring necks. I camped by Lake Crosby and when the moon rose it was extremely bright. 7 kms
