Stretching for nearly 100 km from Sydenham Inlet to the New
South Wales border, Croajingolong is one of Australia’s finest national parks.
From undisturbed forested foothills to a magnificent wilderness coastline, it
is home to a vast array of plants and wildlife, some found in few other places.
Location and access
Croajingolong National Park is in East Gippsland, the far
eastern corner of Victoria, about 450 km east of Melbourne. Access to the Park
is from the Princes Highway and Mallacoota along gravel roads. The road to Mallacoota
from Genoa is sealed.
With the exception of the Mallacoota Road, roads are generally
unsuitable for towing caravans. Access along gravel road is subject to weather
conditions, so please check with a CNR Office before heading out after wet weather.
Wilderness areas
Two wilderness areas were declared in the park from June
1992. These are the Sandpatch (15,600 ha) and the Cape Howe (7,100 ha). Wilderness
protects areas of high conservation value with a range of undisturbed vegetative
communities, intact and natural catchments, rare species of wildlife and diverse
geological, geomorphological and landscape values. Wilderness
areas provide opportunities for solitude and appropriate self-reliant, non-mechanised
recreational activities.
Camping information
There are three types of camping available:
- Areas outside the Park where facilities are provided by the
local Shire council. They include the campgrounds at Mallacoota, Cann River,
Bemm River and Genoa.
- Areas inside the Park where basic facilities are provided
(see map). Camp fees are payable for these areas. Bookings are necessary for
holiday periods.
- Camping for bushwalkers on overnight hikes. There are no
facilities at these sites.
NB. Camping is not permitted around
the Mallacoota Lakes.
Things to see and do
- Picnicking –
there are picnic facilities in most of the coastal camping areas and around
Mallacoota Inlet, some of which are accessible by boat only. Fresh water is
not available at most sites, so you will need to bring your own.
- Boating – there
are launching ramps for motor boats at Mallacoota, Gipsy Point, Tamboon Inlet
and Bemm River.
- Canoeing –
Tamboon and Mallacoota Inlets and the lower areas of the Mueller, Thurra,
Wingan, Betka, Genoa and Wallagaraugh Rivers are ideal for canoeing. Check
river levels before setting out.
- Fishing
– Fishing is permitted in the Park. An Amateur Fishing
Licence is required if you intend fishing in the top lake of Mallacoota Inlet,
Tamboon Inlet and all other inland waters.
- Walking –
there are a number of popular short walking tracks in the vicinity of all
the main campgrounds along the coastline from Sydenham Inlet to Mallacoota.
For coastal hikers, campsites are provided at Thurra River, Wingan Inlet and
Shipwreck Creek for one night stays. Please contact the Information Centre
at Mallacoota or Cann River before setting out. If you intend walking from
Mallacoota into NSW, a permit is required from the NSW National Parks and
Wildlife Service at Eden.
- Swimming and Snorkelling
– these activities can be carried out in many places
in and around the Park, however beware of tidal river entrances and ocean
currents.
- Trailer Sailers
– remember that jetties, picnic spots and firewood are
to be shared with other visitors. Please do not dump waste materials in the
pit toilets. Moor bow into jetties and "raft moor" your boats if
in a group.
Looking after the park
You can help protect Croajingolong by observing these common
sense regulations:
- Light fires only in fireplaces provided and never on days
of Total Fire Ban.
- Dogs, cats and firearms (including spearguns) are prohibited
in the Park.
- All native plants and animals are protected and should not
be disturbed or removed.
- Rubbish bins are not provided – please take your rubbish
away with you. Rubbish tips are provided at Mallacoota, Cann River and Genoa.
- Spearfishing is not allowed in the Mallacoota Lakes.
Further information
The saleable publication "Discovering Mallacoota Inlet"
gives more detailed information on the Mallacoota area. These publications,
and other information, are available from the NRE Information Centre, Princes
Highway, Cann River, phone ((03) 5158 6351 or the CNR Office, corner of Allan
and Buckland Drivers, Mallacoota, phone (03) 5158 0219.
March 1995
National Parks Service – Victoria
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources