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 ill- defined 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 hand- trowel 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 Nadgee- Howe 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 on- shore 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
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.