Croajingolong National Park
- The Wilderness Coast
Undoubtably one of Australia’s most spectacular National Parks the 86,000 hectare Croajingalong National Park named after the Aboriginal people who inhabited this area stretches from Bemm River and Cape Conran Coastal Park across the border into New South Wales.
There is 100 kilometers of far east coastline, 320 kilometers of lake foreshore and countless rivers, freshwater creeks and mountain rivers to explore. You can drive down roads that end up at delightful inlets which nature has isolated from the wild ocean with sand barriers, inlets like Sydenham, Tamboon, Thurra and Wingan. Here you can fish, swim, canoe, walk or simply sit back, relax and soak up the natural surroundings. Accommodation is available check Parks Victoria 13 1963
Bemm River approximately 450km east of Melbourne and approx 20 kilometers off the Princes Highway this sleepy fishing village is situated on Sydenham Inlet and is surrounded by temperate rainforest. Various types of accommodation is available, hotel, general store, caravan park plus some of the best fishing in the state.
Cann River the town where the Princes and Monaro Highways meet. Range of accommodation from which to explore the wonderful surrounding countryside of rainforests and mountains, historic Point Hicks and Aboriginal cultural heritage.
Wingan Inlet south-east of Cann River is packed with natural beauty and great fishing. Some of the parks most beautiful walks are found here including the Lake Elusive walk with dazzling wildflowers in spring and summer. Wingan Rapids walk winds through silver top ash and fern gullies to cascading rapids.
Tamboon Inlet south-east of Cann River known for its bird watching, boating, swimming and delightful camping spots. The birdlife is prolific, because the island and sandbars in Tamboon Inlet are used as nesting sites by coastal and wading birds
Point Hicks located on the remote Wilderness Coast in the magnificent Croajingolong National Park the historic Point Hicks Lighthouse offers catered and self contained accommodation, camping and nature based tours.
Gabo Island covering an area of just over 150 hectares, Gabo Island is less than 500metres off the Wilderness Coast of the Croajingolong National Park in Bass Strait. A number of shipwrecks prompted the construction of Gabo Island light house which was finally completed in 1862. Almost 47 metres tall, Gabo Island Lighthouse is the second tallest lighthouse in Australia and one of the most elegant.
Gabo Island supports highly significant colonies of seabirds, such as shearwaters (mutton birds) and the worlds largest known colony of Little (Fairy) Penguins. Birds of prey also regularly visit the island from the mainland and many other sea birds can be sighted out to sea depending on the time of year. Seals are often sighted as they migrate along the coastline during September and October. Lighthouse accommodation. You will need to take a short journey by boat or charter plane from Mallacoota or Merimbula to reach the island but it is an experience you will always remember.
Cape Howe is situated adjacent to the New South Wales border off the far eastern tip of Victoria. This remote 4,500 hectare wilderness Marine National Park provides a habitat for a mixture of cool water southern marine species and warmer water species, many of which reach their southern limits here. Large, disk like sunfish are relatively frequent visitors, cruising slowly on the surface feeding on jellyfish. Hundreds of humpback whales pass in the vicinity of the park on their annual migration between the tropics and Antartic waters, sometimes followed by pods of Orca’s (killer whales).
Mallacoota often described as a paradise for anglers is one of Victoria’s most remote and peaceful holiday destinations. Nestled in the far eastern corner of the state in the heart of the 86,000 hectare Croajingalong National Park Mallacoota Inlet with its sparkling lakes, rivers, ocean, beaches, forests and pristine wilderness areas has been a favourite get away from it all destination since the early 1900’s.
Gipsy Point this small hamlet approximately 12 kms from Genoa and 12 kms from Mallacoota in the heart of the 100,000 hectare Croajingolong National Park. Siituated on the banks of the Wallagaraugh River the fishing is very good and the bird life will leave you with memories you will never forget. You may even be lucky enough to see a majestic Sea Eagle snatching a bream from the waters of the inlet.
Wallagaraugh River is one of the most beautiful and tranquil places along the Wilderness Coast of Victoria. Turnoff is approx 6kms from Genoa on the Princes Highway heading toward the NSW border. Turn right onto the dirt track which takes you 7kms into the pristine bush to the Wallagaraugh River. Camping, cabins, caravans.
Camping there are plenty of campgrounds in Croajingolong National Park including Thurra River, Mueller Inlet, Tamboon Inlet, Wingan Inlet, Shipwreck Creek and Peach Tree campgrounds. Information Parks Victoria 13 1963
Boating and Water Sports boats can be launched at Mallacoota, Gipsy Point, Tamboon Inlet and Bemm River all of which offer access to good fishing
Editors Note: mobile phone reception is restricted in many areas of Croajingolong National Park. And if it is winter take it easy on the dirt roads in and out. Some may be virtually impassable.
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