Serious hikers · Campers · Wildlife lovers · Wilderness seekers
September–May. School holidays should be booked many months ahead. Winter visits are uncrowded but can be wet and cold. The Wilderness Coast Walk is best in March–May when temperatures are cool and days still long.
Croajingolong is one of Australia's last great wilderness areas — a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve protecting 87,500 hectares of pristine coastline, rainforest and heath in far East Gippsland, from Sydenham Inlet to the NSW border. The beaches are wide, white and utterly empty; the forests ancient and undisturbed; and the sense of being genuinely at the edge of the world is unlike anything else in Victoria.
Why Croajingolong National Park makes a perfect Melbourne weekend getaway
The park protects a 100-kilometre stretch of coast that has been almost entirely unchanged since European settlement — no development, no roads along the coast, and access only by foot or boat. The Wilderness Coast Walk, a 100km multi-day hiking trail from Sydenham Inlet to Mallacoota, is one of Australia's great long-distance walks, taking 5–7 days through some of the most remote and beautiful coastal scenery in the country.
Mallacoota is the main gateway town — a remote fishing village accessible via 30km of winding road from Genoa on the Princes Highway. The town sits on the edge of Mallacoota Inlet, one of the largest estuaries in Victoria, with excellent fishing, kayaking and birdwatching. The town became internationally known in January 2020 when catastrophic bushfires cut it off for weeks, turning the sky black and requiring military evacuation of 4,000 stranded holidaymakers.
The park's wildlife is exceptional — sea eagles, osprey, and white-bellied sea eagles soar above the coast; bandicoots and possums are abundant in camp; and the estuaries hold large populations of bream, flathead and luderick for fishing. The remote beach sections between the access points at Wingan Inlet and Shipwreck Creek are among the most pristine in Australia — kilometres of beach often entirely empty of other footprints.
Top things to do in Croajingolong National Park
Mallacoota Inlet
One of the largest and most beautiful inlets in Victoria — a vast estuary system excellent for kayaking, fishing and birdwatching. The morning light on the inlet from the Mallacoota Wharf is extraordinary. Hire kayaks in the town.
Wilderness Coast Walk
A 100km multi-day hiking trail from Sydenham Inlet to Mallacoota through pristine wilderness coast — one of Australia's great long walks. Requires 5–7 days and advance planning. Parks Victoria manages hut bookings along the route.
Wingan Inlet
A remote inlet 30km west of Mallacoota, accessible via an unsealed road. Beautiful swimming beach, excellent fishing and camping. The camping area at Wingan Inlet is one of the most peaceful in the park.
Shipwreck Creek Surf
A powerful, remote surf break on the open coast south of Mallacoota — excellent for experienced surfers, and spectacular even for non-surfers who appreciate dramatic Southern Ocean conditions on a wild beach.
Point Hicks Lighthouse
The southernmost lighthouse on the Australian mainland, accessible by a day walk or boat charter from Mallacoota. The lighthouse keepers' cottages are available for accommodation — one of the most remote and atmospheric stays in Victoria.
Practical tips for your Croajingolong National Park trip
- Croajingolong is a 6-hour drive from Melbourne — plan for an overnight stay minimum. Mallacoota has limited but good accommodation; book many months ahead for summer.
- The road into Mallacoota (30km off the highway) is winding and takes 40 minutes — don't underestimate the journey time from the highway.
- The Wilderness Coast Walk requires careful advance planning including hut bookings through Parks Victoria and reliable navigation — not a walk to attempt without preparation.
- Bring all supplies — Mallacoota has a small general store but limited specialty food and no major supermarket.
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