A visit to Croajingolong National Park is quite unlike any other experience. It’s marvellous.
It is one of the country’s most beautiful and ecologically significant places, and the stuff of dreams for keen hikers. The park is listed by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve and it lays claim to over 70 native wildflower, 52 mammal and 250 bird species.
Flora and fauna-nerding aside, it is a wondrous place of gob-smacking white-sand beaches and turquoise waters, rocky mountain valleys and epic Middle East-esque sand dunes. Oh, there are also rainforest pockets, swamps, lakes and rocky headlands… it’s as if Mother Nature was on a roll and just didn’t know how to stop.
The coastal park is found roughly half way between Melbourne and Sydney for those driving the Melbourne to Sydney Coastal Drive, and offers a glimpse of rarely-seen Australia.
Highlights
- Hike the granite boulders of Genoa Peak for jaw-dropping panoramas
- See the immense sand dunes at Thurra River
- Set out on your boat to see the park from a different perspective and reach remote locations like Gabo Island or Tamboon Inlet Camp
- Trek to the stately Point Hicks Lightstation, in the deep, dark corners of the park
- Twitchers rejoice! Half of Victoria’s total bird species await you in this park
- Croajingolong boasts some of Australia’s best canoeing. Explore Lake Furnell, Cann River, or Wingan and Mueller Inlets
Point Hicks
The western pocket of the show-stopping Croajingolong National Park, flush with campgrounds, walks and a lighthouse.
Boating
Launching ramps for boats are at Karbeethong, Mallacoota, Gipsy Point, Tamboon Inlet and Bemm River.
Camping
Find a secluded spot to pitch a tent and drift off to soul-nourishing frog song and owl hooting. There are five camping areas which can be reached by car: Mueller Inlet Camp, Thurra River, Wingan Inlet, Shipwreck Creek and Peachtree Creek which is also suitable for caravans and RVs. Those arriving by boat can set up camp at Tamboon Inlet, on the lake’s eastern shores.
