National park · Australia
Murray-Sunset National Park
Go for one full day from Mildura: drive the gravel road in from Linga, walk the Pink Lakes loop (2–4 km (1.2–2.5 mi)) and Kline's Track, and be back on sealed road before dusk — the park is remote, dry and has no fuel or food.Go for one full day from Mildura: drive the gravel road in from Linga, walk the Pink Lakes loop (1.2–2.5 mi (2–4 km)) and Kline's Track, and be back on sealed road before dusk — the park is remote, dry and has no fuel or food.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
6,330 km² (2,444 sq mi)2,444 sq mi (6,330 km²)
approximate
Established
1979
Best months
Apr–May, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
- Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
- Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
- Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.
At a glance
- Country
- Australia
- Area
- 6,330 km² (2,444 sq mi)2,444 sq mi (6,330 km²)
- Roughly 6,300 km², making it one of Victoria's largest parks; exact figure varies by boundary revision (check).
- Established
- 1979
- Best months
- Apr–May, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Murray-Sunset is Victoria's second-largest national park: semi-arid mallee, saltbush plains and four seasonal salt lakes that turn pink in late summer when the alga Dunaliella salina blooms. Salt was harvested here commercially from 1916 to 1975 and railed out from Lakes Crosbie, Becking and Kenyon. The park was created in 1979 and took in the former Pink Lakes State Park in 1999; it is managed with Hattah-Kulkyne, Wyperfeld, Lake Albacutya and Murray-Kulkyne as the Victorian Mallee Parks. There is no public transport, no shop and no fuel — this is a self-sufficient drive, best done as a long day or an overnight camp from Mildura.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1979.
Size and age
6,330 km² (2,444 sq mi)2,444 sq mi (6,330 km²) · national park since 1979
Roughly 6,300 km², making it one of Victoria's largest parks; exact figure varies by boundary revision (check).
Why go
- The Pink Lakes: salt-crusted basins that shift from white to pink as the water evaporates in late summer.
- Mallee and saltbush country at a scale you cannot see from the Murray highway — 600-plus plant species recorded.
- Reliable wildlife: emus, western grey and red kangaroos, and wedge-tailed eagles on the plains.
- Birders get mallee specialists here — the park sits inside the Murray-Sunset, Hattah and Annuello Important Bird Area.
- Historic relics from the salt years and the Nowingi railway line, including the gypsum hopper on the Raak Plain.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebCaution
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunGo
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecCaution
- Jan40°C (104°F)-plus days; lakes dry; fire risk104°F (40°C)-plus days; lakes dry; fire risk
- FebHottest month; pink colour at its peak but walking is punishing
- MarCooling; lakes often still coloured
- AprMild days, clear skies, good walking
- MayCool and dry; quiet
- JunCold nights; some tracks soft after rain
- JulColdest; clear light for photography
- AugWildflowers start on the plains
- SepWildflower peak; comfortable temperatures
- OctWarm, dry, wildflowers still out
- NovWarming fast; go early
- DecHot; carry extra water
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emus and kangaroos (western grey and red) on the plainsAll year · Most active at dawn and dusk; drive slowly at those hours. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Mallee birds — malleefowl, black-eared miner, mallee emu-wrenMar–Oct · Threatened species; the park is inside the Murray-Sunset, Hattah and Annuello Important Bird Area. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Spring wildflowers — spider orchids, azure sun orchids, poached-egg daisiesAug–Oct | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Pink lake colour (Dunaliella salina algae)Dec–Mar · Late summer, when the lakes are evaporating; the lakes can be dry at other times. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Mildura
Sealed road to Linga on the Mallee Highway, then the gravel park road south to the Pink Lakes area; 2WD is fine on the main gravel when dry.
1–1.5 h
From Melbourne
Drive via the Calder Highway to Ouyen or Mildura, then as above; no public transport into the park.
6–7 h
From Adelaide
Drive via the Mallee Highway through Pinnaroo and Linga, then the gravel park road.
4.5–5.5 h
From The Murray region
Base in Mildura for fuel, food and water, then day-trip in.
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Pink Lakes area | Lake Crosbie, Lake Becking and Lake Kenyon, the old salt works and the main walking trails. | Gravel road in from Linga; 2WD in dry conditions, day area and camping. |
| Raak Plain | Open gypsum and saltbush plain with the remains of the Nowingi line gypsum hopper. | 4WD tracks; rough and remote, no facilities. |
| Murray River frontage and Lindsay Island | River red gum country along the park's northern edge. | 4WD and boat access; seasonal tracks (check). |
| Remote mallee and bush camps | Large tracts of mallee with primitive camps such as Wallpolla Island. | Self-sufficient travel; carry water, no services. |
Sketch map
- 1Mildura · Town≈-34.185, 142.162Map ↗
- 2Linga (Mallee Highway turn-off) · Gate≈-35.167, 141.633Approximate; the usual 2WD access point.Map ↗
- 3Pink Lakes day area (Lake Crosbie) · Headquarters≈-34.776, 141.484Approximate; park coordinates from Wikidata.Map ↗
- 4Lake Becking · Beach≈-34.750, 141.450Approximate.Map ↗
- 5Raak Plain gypsum hopper · Ranger station≈-34.600, 141.600Approximate; 4WD access.Map ↗
- 6Murray River frontage / Lindsay Island · Beach≈-34.100, 141.200Approximate; northern edge of the park.Map ↗
Take the points offline
6 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions for orientation only; the park is large and internal tracks are unsealed.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | vehicle | Victorian national parks generally have no entry fee; camping is the paid item (check current Parks Victoria advice). |
| Camping — Pink Lakes / Lake Crosbie area | AUD 0–20 (≈ US$0–14) | vehicle per night | 2026 estimate; some Mallee Parks camps are free, others book-and-pay (check). |
| Camping — remote bush camps (e.g. Wallpolla Island) | Free | vehicle per night | Primitive sites, no facilities; free (check). |
| Shearer's Hut (hostel-style quarters) | Free | person per night | Historic grazier accommodation; availability and any fee must be confirmed with Parks Victoria (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
Camping booking permit or guide
Campfires permit or guide
Park rules
- Water
- Bring all your own drinking water; there is none in the park and no shop or fuel.
- Fires
- Fires only in designated fireplaces and never on total fire ban days; check the fire-danger rating the morning you go.
- 4WD tracks
- Stay on formed tracks; the Raak Plain and Lindsay Island routes are 4WD only and can be closed after rain (check).
- Camping
- Camp only at established sites; no bush camping beside the lakes or on the salt crust.
- Heritage relics
- Do not remove salt-works, railway or hut relics; they are protected.
- Pets
- Not permitted in the park.
Where to stay
In the park
Pink Lakes / Lake Crosbie camping area
The main camping area near the lakes; some facilities, book ahead in peak periods (check).
In the park
Wallpolla Island and remote bush camps
Primitive sites with no facilities; fully self-sufficient camping.
In the park
Shearer's Hut
Historic grazier quarters used as simple hostel-style accommodation; confirm availability (check).
Near the park
Mildura
The practical base: motels, supermarkets, fuel and water, about 1–1.5 h from the park.
Safety
Heat and dehydration high
Remote roads and no phone signal high
Bushfire high
Wildlife on the road medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The Pink Lakes day area and the shortest lake-edge paths are flat and reachable by car with short walks.
- Longer trails, the Raak Plain and Lindsay Island routes are rough, unsealed and not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Take out everything you bring in; there are no bins in the remote sections.
- Do not walk on the salt crust where it is soft — footprints and vehicle ruts damage it for years.
- Keep to tracks in mallee habitat; malleefowl mounds and orchids are easily crushed.
- Buy fuel, food and water in Mildura or Ouyen so the nearest towns benefit from park visitors.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Murray-Sunset National Park?
Nothing for day entry — Victorian national parks generally do not charge an entry fee, and there is no gate. You pay only if you camp at a bookable site (roughly A$0–20 per vehicle per night, 2026 estimate) or stay in Shearer's Hut; confirm current fees and bookings with Parks Victoria before you go.
What are the best hikes in Murray-Sunset National Park?
The Pink Lakes loop from the day area is the easiest and shortest way to see the salt basins (1.5–2 h, flat). Kline's Track and the Lake Becking walks are longer, 2–3 h through mallee with little shade. Both start near the Pink Lakes area; there is no formed long-distance trail across the park.
When is the best time to visit Murray-Sunset National Park?
April, May, September and October: mild days, dry tracks and spring wildflowers from August to October. The pink colour is strongest in late summer (roughly December to March) but that is also the hottest period, with high bushfire risk. Avoid walking in the middle of summer days.
Can I visit Murray-Sunset without a 4WD?
Yes, in dry conditions. The usual route is the gravel road from Linga on the Mallee Highway to the Pink Lakes area, which is fine for a 2WD when it is dry. The Raak Plain and Lindsay Island tracks need a 4WD, and any track can become impassable after rain.
Is there anywhere to eat, buy fuel or sleep in the park?
No. There is no shop, no fuel and no drinking water in the park, and no restaurants. Bring all food and water, fuel up in Mildura or Ouyen, and either camp at an established site or drive back to Mildura the same day.
How far is Murray-Sunset from Melbourne and Adelaide?
About 550 km from Melbourne and 400 km from Adelaide, and roughly 50 km from Mildura. There is no public transport into the park, so it is a drive-in trip, usually as a long day or an overnight from Mildura.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go