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Croajingolong National Park
Walking the Wilderness Coast
The Wilderness Coast Walk provides an opportunity to explore a unique stretch of coastline in
Croajingolong National Park on the far eastern coast of Victoria. Enjoy magnificent remote
wilderness, with wide open beaches, diverse flora and fauna and spectacular views
Location and access
The Wilderness Coast Walk extends 100km from
the Eastern Shores of Sydenham Inlet in
Croajingolong National Park, to Wonboyn in the
Nadgee Nature Reserve, NSW. The walk can be
accessed from a number of locations along the
coastline. 2WD access is available at Bemm
River, Thurra River, Wingan Inlet and Shipwreck
Creek. Please check on road conditions prior to
entering the park.
Obtaining a permit
In an effort to protect the wilderness coastline,
Parks Victoria and the NSW National Parks &
Wildlife Service have adopted a booking system to
manage the number of walkers and to minimise
visitor impact on these remote areas. The
maximum group size is eight. Walkers staying
overnight or those who camp using watercraft for
access require a permit. Advance bookings are
required. Permits can be obtained online at
www.parks.vic.gov.au/stay or by contacting the
Parks Victoria Information Centre on 13 1963. For
NSW camping contact NSW National Parks &
Wildlife Service office at Merimbula.
Walking and camping
Along the coast there are a number of designated
camp sites that provide a remote camping
experience. A two night limit applies to all remote
sites.
The Sandpatch and Cape Howe Wilderness areas
were proclaimed in 1992, to ensure that
landforms, native plant and animal communities
are left unaltered or unaffected by the influence of
European settlement of Australia. As a result,
there are no signposts or walking track markers
and in some sections the track becomes illdefined due to thick vegetation. Walkers should be
well equipped, experienced and confident in
navigating from topographic maps before
attempting the walk. Before starting your walk you
will need to source maps, tide charts, weather
reports and relevant track notes.
Phone coverage is unlikely, with only some
coastal peaks offering reception. Use of a
personal EPIRB is encouraged.
Minimal impact bushwalking
Walkers should apply minimal impact bushwalking
practices, to maintain the natural values and
wilderness experience for others. A campsite
should be left as if no-one has been there.
Remember - ‘carry in – carry out’.
Please do not formalise campsites, such as using
timber washed up from the sea to construct picnic
tables and seats, as this undermines the
wilderness experience for other visitors.
Clean boots and camping equipment thoroughly
prior to entering the area to reduce the likelihood
of weed seeds or the destructive fungus
Phytopthera being inadvertently walked in.
Toilets
There are only a few toilet facilities provided at
established campgrounds along the walk. A handtrowel is recommended to help you bury solid
waste to a minimum depth of 15cm, 100m from
water sources. This will help to prevent diseases
like giardia and also protect the highly valuable
water quality of the undisturbed water catchments
along the walk. Please carry out tissues, sanitary
pads, tampons and condoms.
Wash 50m away from creeks and lakes, and pour
the waste water on the ground to filter through the
soil. Detergents, toothpaste and soap (even
biodegradable types) harm fish and other aquatic
life. Use gritty sand and a scourer instead of soap
to clean dishes.
Food
Wildlife such as Brushtail Possums and Lace
Monitors have sharp claws and teeth which they
will use to access your food. Sealing your food in
locked containers is required as they are both
great tree climbers.
For more information call the Parks Victoria Information Centre on
13 1963 or visit our website at www.parks.vic.gov.au
For further information:
Parks Victoria
Information Centre
Call 13 1963
or visit our website at
www.parks.vic.gov.au
Mallacoota Office
Cnr Allan & Buckland Drives
Cann River Office
Princes Hwy
Caring for the
environment
Help us look after your park
by following these guidelines:
All native plants, animals,
cultural and historical features
are protected
Please take your rubbish
home with you for recycling
and disposal
Pets and firearms are not
permitted
Fires may only be lit in
designated fire places. The
use of fuel stoves is
encouraged. No fires
including gas and fuel stoves
may be lit on days of Total
Fire Ban
Please do not use soaps,
detergents and toothpaste
near streams or waterways,
as they are a source of
drinking water for others.
Dispose of any dirty water
away from watercourses
Please do not handle or feed
wildlife, as it fosters
dependence and may cause
disease
Road closures apply to all
vehicles
Warnings
Croajingolong National Park is
in the East Gippsland Total Fire
Ban District. It is your
responsibility to know if it is a
day of Total Fire Ban. If in doubt
call the
Victorian Bushfire Information
Line: 1800 240 667.
Park closures
Be prepared to leave early as
extreme weather may cause the
closure of some park areas for
public safety.
Healthy Parks Healthy People
Visiting a park can improve
your health, mind, body and
soul. So, with over four million
hectares of parkland available
to Victorians, why not escape
to a park today!
Warnings
Water availability along the walk is seasonal and if
collected should be boiled or filtered prior to
consumption. It is essential that you carry an
adequate supply of water with you.
River crossings are best attempted at low tide and
as far upstream from the river mouth as possible.
After heavy rain, streams and lakes may be
swollen and open to the ocean making crossing
dangerous. The dangers of crossings may also be
exacerbated during high tides. Crossing river
entrances and creeks requires extreme care and
up to date weather and tide observations are
essential to avoid disappointment and
unnecessary risks.
Weather conditions may change rapidly and
temperatures may be lower than expected in
coastal areas. Ensure that you are adequately
prepared. Carry extra provisions with you in case
of an emergency. Be practical with your itinerary,
do not over extend yourself and risk injury.
Bites from sandflies, mosquitoes, marchflies and
ticks are common. Use insect repellent and wear
long-sleeved shirts and long pants to avoid insect
bites. Snakes may be encountered and the
wearing of gaiters is recommended.
A Biosphere Reserve
Croajingolong National Park and Nadgee Nature
Reserve are recognised together as a World
Biosphere Reserve, which conserves examples of
major habitat types and gene pools in a truly
natural area.
Parks Victoria and the NSW National Parks and
Wildlife Service are working together to protect
these reserves by undertaking co-operative
management programs including threatened
species surveys, campsite monitoring, wilderness
recreation management and feral animal and
weed control programs. Feral animals and weeds
threaten the integrity of this wilderness. You can
help by reporting any sightings of feral animals or
weeds to park offices.
Cape Howe Wilderness Area
Cape Howe Wilderness Area is included in
Croajingolong National Park, adjoining Nadgee
Wilderness Area along the border between
Victoria and New South Wales. The NadgeeHowe Wilderness Area is considered to be the
best representation of pre-European coastal
vegetation in south eastern Australia.
At Cape Howe, and along the Wilderness Coast,
sand dominated landscapes are the result of onshore winds that build large, mobile dune
systems. The rolling sand dunes of Croajingolong
contrast spectacularly with the adjoining dense
heaths and forest of Nadgee Nature Reserve.
The protection of flora and fauna at Cape Howe
extends into the sea, where Cape Howe Marine
National Park provides habitat for a mixture of
cool water southern marine species and warmer
water species more common in the north. Beneath
a thick canopy of seaweed shelters red sea tulips,
sponges, colourful sea stars and many smaller
seaweeds.
Sandpatch Wilderness Area
Sandpatch Wilderness Area extends from the
eastern shores of Wingan Inlet through to
Shipwreck Creek. This 23km section of coastline
is virtually undisturbed and includes partially
vegetated dunes at Sandpatch Point and Little
Rame Head and coastal cliffs up to 80m high cut
into sedimentary rock between Sandpatch Point
and Shipwreck Creek.
Early beginnings
Croajingolong National Park was named after
people of the Kurnai (Gunai) nation who lived in
the area. Evidence of Aboriginal occupation is
visible in coastal shell middens, which may appear
as layers of shell exposed in the sides of dunes,
banks or cliff tops, or as scatters of shell exposed
on eroded surfaces. All Aboriginal cultural places
in Victoria are protected by law, which prohibits
disturbing or destroying an Aboriginal place.
Flora and fauna
Croajingolong National Park supports over 1,000
native plant species, 52 mammal species, 26
reptile species and 306 species of birds. The birds
represent about half of Victoria's and a third of
Australia's total bird species. Wetlands attract 40
species of migratory seabirds and waders while
coastal heathlands and woodlands attract hawks,
eagles and falcons. Threatened species found in
the park include the Ground Parrot, Eastern
Bristlebird, Smoky Mouse, Grey-headed Flying
Fox and Australian Fur Seal.
If disturbed, Ground Parrots fly up from the
heathland and sedgeland, fly low to the ground
and land again a short distance away. They are
slim, medium-sized parrots 300mm in length, with
a rich emerald green plumage that has black and
yellow barring to the tip of the long, tapering tail.
Hooded Plovers live and breed on sandy surf
beaches backed by dunes. A threat to the birds is
disturbance by humans, who accidentally crush
nests and chicks and disturb the birds when
breeding. Please help by staying away from
Hooded Plovers and walk close to the waters
edge to minimise disturbance to nesting birds.
July 2014
Bemm River to Clinton Rocks - 14km
Mainly beach walking. Entrance
crossing may be required at Sydenham
Inlet and Tamboon Inlet may need to be
negotiated if open to the sea. Boat
transport may need to be arranged, or
low tide required to safely cross the
inlet. There is a large section of rocks to
negotiate at Clinton Rocks.
Camping: Tamboon Inlet, Clinton
Rocks
Clinton Rocks to Thurra River – 14km
Mainly beach walking. Prior to Point
Hicks, Sledge Track from West Beach
will lead hikers to the lighthouse, or West
Beach Track runs more directly towards
the Thurra River campground. Be aware
of vehicles between the lighthouse and
campground.
Camping: Clinton Rocks, Thurra River
Thurra River to Wingan Inlet – 20km
Mainly beach walking with some rock crossing. Thurra River and
Mueller River may need to be negotiated if open, this is best
attempted at low tide. There is an inland track behind Rame
Head. A track and boardwalk lead from the beach to Wingan Inlet
campground.
Camping: Thurra River, Gale Hill, Wingan Inlet
April 2008
Mallacoota to Nadgee, NSW
It is possible to continue hiking
across the NSW border from
Mallacoota township, past Cape
Howe into the Nadgee Wilderness
Area and through to Wonboyn
township. A permit is also required
to walk this section, available from
the NSW National Parks and
Wildlife Office at Merimbula, on
(02) 6495 5000.
The variety of landscapes
along the coast is one of the
many highlights of the walk:
sand dune formations at Cape
Howe, dramatic coastal cliffs,
sea caves, coastal lagoons
along with coastal heaths and
woodlands.
Benedore River to Mallacoota – 18km
Old Coast Rd walking track leads inland from
Benedore River to Seal Creek, then onto
Shipwreck Creek. Old Coast Rd continues
from the campground and finishes at a car
park on Centre Track. From here, follow
Centre Track to Mallacoota. Be aware of
vehicle traffic. It is also possible to follow the
beach from Betka River to Bastion Point,
then the Pittosporum Walk into Mallacoota.
Camping: Benedore River, Seal Creek,
Shipwreck Creek, Mallacoota
Wingan Inlet to Benedore River - 14km
Entrance crossing is required at Wingan
Inlet, boat transport may need to be
arranged. Once across the inlet, Easby Walk
Track starts at the totem pole, a few hundred
meters from the sea. Turn right at the “Easby
Creek” sign and then follow the beach to
Red River. Follow the track inland behind
Sandpatch Pt to the steps then along the
beach to Benedore River. Some rock
crossing may be required if walking along
the beach.
Camping: Wingan Inlet, Easby Creek, Red
River crossing, Red River entrance
Warning
This is a guide only, distances are
approximate. Please obtain topographic maps
before setting out on a walk.
Water is very limited, unreliable and untested
for drinking along the Wilderness Coast.
Please take adequate drinking water or make
arrangements for supply of water.