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District residents are being urged to rediscover their region, as the results of rain, high river levels and flooding of the Barmah and Millewa national parks start to be seen.
Echuca-Moama and District Tourism director Simon Latchford said the higher river levels and greenery around the district had provided a ``massive boost'' to the area.
``Isn't this place looking so much better,'' he said.
``It's a good time for locals to get out and experience it.
``I think there's a great argument for people to re-fall in love with their local community again and to re-discover the colour green.
``Everything is looking great.
``Local people should go and rediscover what makes this place really special. The environment and the landscapes are what are the stars of the show.''
Parks Victoria agreed, saying now was a great time to explore Barmah National Park.
Higher river levels in the Murray River have meant a combined total of 5000 megalitres a day was shared between the Barmah and Millewa national parks as regulators were opened into the two parks for eight days for the first time in four years.
Barmah's share saw about 20 per cent of the forest covered in water, giving red gums a much-needed drink.
Creeks, some of which have not flowed for four or five years, are now flowing in the national park, with high water levels covering some of the tracks.
Acting ranger in charge Andrew McDougall said the flooding had been great for the park.
``The river red gum environment needs natural flooding to occur to ensure the eco-system remains healthy,'' he said.
``This is the first time in several years that some of these areas have seen water. It's great to see the creeks flowing and many of the wetlands covered in water.''
While it was not as much water as had been expected to flood the forest, Parks Victoria water team leader Mick Caldwell said it was better than nothing.
While the chance to open the regulators to allow some water into the forest had been a rarity in recent years, Mr Caldwell said it was something which had been common until about 10 years ago.
``In 1989 there was big floods, in 1991 there was a small flood, and it was wet in 1992, '93, '95 and '96,'' he said.
``Back in the 1980s, opening the regulators would happen five times a year.''
The recent opening of the regulators let 20,000Ml into the bush in eight days.
Unregulated creeks probably allowed a couple of thousand megalitres extra into the forest from the Murray River, Mr Caldwell said.
However, he said 90 per cent of the water used to flood the forest made its way back into the river and would be used in other eco-systems or by irrigators downstream.
``The water used here might be used three or four more times,'' he said.
The regulators were turned off on Tuesday as the flood levels had been dropping at Barmah.
``It will take time for things to change, but give it a few weeks and we'll see some major changes in the Barmah eco-system,'' Mr Caldwell said.
With the water had come a lot of birds and other animals Mr Caldwell said.
``There are more ducks about than there has been for a long time, including teal ducks,'' he said.
``I always reckon when teal ducks come in there will be some sort of flood.
``It's a real oasis of bird life. The floodwaters seem to attract them.
``It doesn't matter where you are, you can hear the birds.''
Kangaroos also seem to have been aware the conditions would change.
``Every second kangaroo has a joey in its pouch,'' he said.
``And the frogs are certainly breeding. You can hear them croaking.''
Mr McDougall said the floodwater had provided much-needed water for the red gums.
``This is the best we've seen it in a number of years,'' he said.
``We've seen re-growth on a lot of the trees that were looking a bit sad due to the drought.''
Mr McDougall said anyone visiting the national park between now and Christmas would see the benefits caused by the flooding.
However, the next few weeks would provide the best time to see the floodwater.
``There's nothing better than the smell of a forest when it's wet,'' he said.
``And the air is clearer and you can hear the birds and frogs.
``It's really good to come and appreciate these areas while it's quiet and you haven't got speedboats in the river.''
Kingfisher Cruises part owner Jo Lamond said the flooding would make the forest ``spring to life''.
The higher river levels have meant Kingfisher Cruises has been able to operate through the winter for the first time since 2005.
For the past few years, the river has not been high enough for the boat to operate.
``The river is at a summer level,'' she said.
``The river being up has brought on the bird life.
``The egrets and spoonbills have been more active, and the birds of prey _ the white-bellied sea eagles _ have been active on the water.
``The azure kingfishers have also been very active.
The main tracks into Barmah National Park have been re-opened, but Mr McDougall said many of the secondary tracks remained closed due to water over the road.
He warned people to stay away from the closed tracks and to be careful when driving through water on the main tracks.
Four-wheel drive vehicles should be able to drive on the main tracks, but drivers of other cars will find some areas still unable to be accessed because of water over the roads and some bridges.
``People need to use commonsense and caution,'' Mr Caldwell said.
``Because the roads are open doesn't mean the roads are passable.''
Mr McDougall also warned people of the danger of limbs falling off trees because of the amount of water they had soaked up.
Many of the red gums in the forest would have soaked up thousands of litres of water into their limbs while the ground had been flooded, he said.
``Limbs get heavy and it can put them under huge stress,'' he said.
``These limbs can then fall off quite easily,'' he said.
_ Monique Preston
