White Dam Conservation Park

North-west of Morgan, the river country gives way fast to saltbush plains — and White Dam Conservation Park preserves a beautifully intact square of it. The park's 891 hectares of low black oak woodland over silvery bluebush once formed part of a travelling stock route; it was set aside in 1969 and proclaimed a conservation park in 1972, and today it is one of the quietest reserves in the region.

Quiet, except for the birds. Around 91 native species have been recorded here, and the open woodland makes them easy to find: apostlebird families bickering through the black oaks, red-capped robins flaring against grey-green bluebush, white-browed babblers, southern whiteface, redthroat and — for the patient — Gilbert's whistler. Bring binoculars and give it the first two hours of the day.

There are no facilities, which is rather the point. Combine it with the Morgan Conservation Park floodplain on the river for two completely different ecosystems in one morning, then let Morgan's historic town walk fill the afternoon.