National park · Australia
Croajingolong National Park
Entry is free; go for the 6.5 km (4 mi) Old Coast Walk or a Thurra River dunes day, and base in Mallacoota. Skip the long Wilderness Coast Walk unless you have a permit and 3–4 days.Entry is free; go for the 4 mi (6.5 km) Old Coast Walk or a Thurra River dunes day, and base in Mallacoota. Skip the long Wilderness Coast Walk unless you have a permit and 3–4 days.
- 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
875 km² (338 sq mi)338 sq mi (875 km²)
approximate
Established
1979
Best months
Oct–Nov, Jan–Apr
UNESCO
Biosphere
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
- 875 km² (338 sq mi)338 sq mi (875 km²)
- Roughly 875 km²; boundary figures vary slightly by source (check).
- Established
- 1979
- Best months
- Oct–Nov, Jan–Apr
- Permits
- For some areas
Croajingolong runs for roughly 100 km along the far-east Victorian coast, from the Thurra River to the New South Wales border. There is one town of any size inside it, Mallacoota, and almost no paved roads beyond the Princes Highway. Most visitors come for a day: the Old Coast Walk, the dunes at Thurra River, Point Hicks, or a paddle on Mallacoota Inlet. The serious option is the Wilderness Coast Walk, a multi-day route that needs a Parks Victoria permit and a food drop. The park is a UNESCO biosphere reserve and part of the Nadgee to Mallacoota Inlet Important Bird Area.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO Biosphere Reserve · 1977Croajingolong was nominated as a World Biosphere Reserve in 1977.
Size and age
875 km² (338 sq mi)338 sq mi (875 km²) · national park since 1979
Roughly 875 km²; boundary figures vary slightly by source (check).
Why go
- A free coastal park with long empty beaches, dunes and heath, far from the Great Ocean Road crowds.
- The Old Coast Walk is a 6.5 km (4 mi) one-way cliff and beach route that fits a half day.The Old Coast Walk is a 4 mi (6.5 km) one-way cliff and beach route that fits a half day.
- Point Hicks and the Thurra River dunes are reachable by 2WD on good days and 4WD after rain.
- Almost 1,000 native plant species and 315 animal species are recorded in the park.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayGo
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecGo
- JanWarm; school holidays busy in Mallacoota
- FebWarm and quieter after late January
- MarMild; good walking and swimming
- AprCool nights; clear days
- MayCool; fewer people
- JunCold, wet; some tracks soft
- JulColdest; short days
- AugCold and windy on the coast
- SepWildflowers start; variable weather
- OctMild and green; wildflowers
- NovWarm; good beach days
- DecWarm; holiday crowds build
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern bristlebird and pilotbirdAll year · The eastern section sits in the Nadgee to Mallacoota Inlet Important Bird Area. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Coastal wildflowersSep–Nov | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no |
| Sea eagles and coastal raptorsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Snakes warming on tracksOct–Mar | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | 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 Melbourne
Drive the Princes Highway east via Cann River to Mallacoota; the last stretch is sealed.
6.5–7.5 h
Open the page →
From Sydney
Drive south on the Princes Highway via Eden and the NSW border to Mallacoota.
7–8 h
Open the page →
From Cann River
Turn south off the Princes Highway for Point Hicks and Thurra River; the road is unsealed in parts.
50 min
From Regional plan
East Gippsland towns, lakes and the coast road.
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Mallacoota and the inlet | The only town of any size in the park, on the inlet; shops, fuel and boat ramps. | Open; sealed roads. |
| Thurra River and the dunes | Big sand dunes, a river mouth and a campground, reached off the Princes Highway. | 2WD in dry weather; 4WD after rain. |
| Point Hicks | Lighthouse, historic keeper's cottages and a Southern Ocean lookout. | Unsealed road; check conditions. |
| Wilderness Coast | The remote beach and heath route from Wingan Inlet toward the NSW border. | Walk-in only; permit required. |
Sketch map
- 1Mallacoota · Town≈-37.559, 149.730Map ↗
- 2Old Coast Road car park · Trail≈-37.630, 149.500Map ↗
- 3Thurra River campground · Sleep≈-37.770, 149.320Map ↗
- 4Point Hicks Lighthouse · Viewpoint≈-37.802, 149.276Map ↗
- 5Mueller Inlet Campground · Sleep≈-37.750, 149.330Map ↗
- 6Wingan Inlet · Beach≈-37.570, 149.480Map ↗
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 along the coast from Mallacoota to Point Hicks, for orientation only.
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 | person | No entry fee for Victorian national parks (check). |
| Camping at Mueller Inlet and other park campgrounds | Free | night | Some Parks Victoria camps are free, others are book-and-pay; check the specific campground (check). |
| Point Hicks Lighthouse bungalow | AUD 120–250 (≈ US$80–170) | night | 2026 estimate; historic keeper's cottages and bungalow, book ahead. |
| Recreational Fishing Licence (Victoria) | AUD 10–40 (≈ US$7–30) | person | 2026 estimate; required for fishing, buy online. |
| Wilderness Coast Walk permit | Free | person | Permit required from Parks Victoria; no fee stated (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
Wilderness Coast Walk permit or guide
Camping permit or guide
Fishing permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- A$120–250≈ US$80–170
- A$10–40≈ US$7–30
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Parks Victoria — Croajingolong National Park before you go.
Park rules
- Fishing
- A Victorian Recreational Fishing Licence is required; check size and bag limits for the species you keep.
- Wilderness Coast Walk
- A Parks Victoria permit is required before you start.
- Fires
- Use only designated fireplaces and check total fire bans before lighting anything.
- Dogs
- Not allowed in the national park; leave them at home or in town.
- Camping
- Camp only in designated campgrounds or on the permitted Wilderness Coast route.
Where to stay
Near the park
Mallacoota
Motels, holiday parks and rentals; the main base with shops and fuel.
In the park
Mueller Inlet Campground
Park campground near the Thurra River; book or register as required.
In the park
Point Hicks Lighthouse
Historic keeper's cottages and a bungalow; book well ahead.
Safety
Remote roads and no phone signal medium
Surf and rips on open beaches high
Bushfire high
Snakes and ticks 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
- Mallacoota town, the inlet foreshore and some campgrounds have sealed access and short flat walks.
- The Old Coast Walk, Mount Everard and the Wilderness Coast are rough, sandy or steep and not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on marked tracks; coastal heath and dunes recover slowly from trampling.
- Carry out all rubbish, including food scraps, and use campground toilets.
- Keep to the permit system on the Wilderness Coast so campsites are not overused.
- Do not feed wildlife or leave food in tents.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Croajingolong National Park?
Nothing. Victorian national parks, including Croajingolong, do not charge an entry fee (check). You pay for camping where a fee applies, for a fishing licence if you fish, and for accommodation such as the Point Hicks Lighthouse cottages.
What are the best hikes in Croajingolong National Park?
The Old Coast Walk is the easiest good walk: 6.5 km one way from the Old Coast Road car park, about two hours. The Thurra River dunes and Point Hicks are short walks with big views. The Wilderness Coast Walk is the serious option, three to four days and permit-only.
When is the best time to visit Croajingolong National Park?
October to April for warm, mostly dry weather and beach days. January is the busiest because of Australian school holidays. June to August is cold, wet and windy, and some unsealed roads get soft.
Do I need a permit for the Wilderness Coast Walk?
Yes. Apply to Parks Victoria before you go. The route is remote, has no road access for long stretches and needs careful water and food planning.
Can I drive to Point Hicks and the Thurra River?
Yes, but the roads off the Princes Highway are unsealed. A 2WD is usually fine in dry weather; after rain you may need a 4WD. Check conditions before you leave.
Is there anywhere to eat inside the park?
Only in Mallacoota. Outside town there are no shops or cafes, so bring your own food and water.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go