James's Dune Traditional Cache
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James's Dunes is a sand dune overlooking the grave site of James Mahon in Hattah
This cache was placed jointly by the Zak Power Team (Barossa Valley, S.A.) and the Mooshell_22 Team (Coonalpyn, S.A.) on our return trip from the Oz Mega Event in Wagga Wagga. We were taking the scenic route home and came across this site. The cache has a log book, small swaps and there will be a special memento sent out for the FTF, Silver & Bronze finders.
Hattah-Kulkyne National Park is a particular area which is special because of the water in the nearby Murray River and a number of freshwater lakes seasonally filled by creeks connected to the Murray which provide food and shelter for waterbirds and fish. These lakes can remain full for up to ten years without flooding, but flooding generally occurs, on average, once every two years.
The park is home to over 200 bird species these include Apostle-birds and White-winged Choughs, Cockatoos, Regent, Bluebonnet, Mulga, Mallee Ringneck and Rosellas. At dusk and dawn, emus and the two species of kangaroo, the Red and the Western Grey, can be seen feeding.
The sandy beaches along the Murray, the creeks and the lakes are shaded by fringes of River Red Gums. Walks which lead from the main camping grounds at Hattah Lake will take you to nearby lakes and through Black Box woodlands and stands of Eumong wattles.
Shell middens in the Hattah Lakes area date back thousands of years, showing Indigenous people camped there, eating freshwater mussels, turtles, kangaroo and fish. Recent survey work has found cultural artefacts dating back 3000 to 3500 years. Almost 1000 cultural heritage sites are registered at Hattah Lakes.
The area is surrounded by typical mallee country with extensive low scrub and open native pine woodlands.
The roads are quite good if entering from the Mournpall Tracks but care should be taken in wet conditions in a conventional vehicle. This area can become very hot during summer and precautions should be taken. (carry plenty of water).
James Mahon was found dead in the Chalka Creek (Hattah-Kulkyne National Park) on 21st December 1923. The creek was flooded at the time when it was believed that James was attempting a crossing. James Mahon was laid to rest next to the Chalka Creek at the base of a small sand hill. The Mahon family were farmers/graziers in the area and family descendants still reside in the district
Please pay your respects to James. Also can you take a photo of either you or your GPSr at the grave site or creek area and post with your log.
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