Cape Conran Coastal Park

A mother wearing black clothes plays with her toddler son on a big piece of drift wood washed up on a sandy beach in front of some pink granite rocks

This area has additional visitor advice This area has reported issues This area is closed

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Cape Conran Coastal Park

Cape Conran Coastal Park is part of an Aboriginal cultural landscape. Parks Victoria respects the deep and continuing connection that Traditional Owners have to these lands and waters, and we recognise their ongoing role in caring for Country.

Cape Conran Coastal Park is tucked away along Victoria's far-east Wilderness Coast. Camp among Banksias and Manna Gums alongside colourful New Holland Honeyeaters and inquisitive Lace Monitor goannas. The wild ocean beaches are perfect spots for beachcombing and, from May to October, look out for whales on their annual migration.

Choose from a range of camping options. From the remote Bemm River and Pearl Point to the main campground, Banksia Bluff which has toilets and bush showers.

The park is home to a charismatic cast of wildlife, including Victoria's biggest lizard, the Lace Monitor, Wombats, Southern Brown Bandicoots, Long-nosed Potoroos and birds such as the New Holland Honeyeater and White-bellied Sea Eagle.

See magnificent marine animals. Dolphins surfing in the waves, whales migrating from May to October and seals at Beware Reef Marine Sanctuary. Dive or snorkel at Joiner’s Channel or West Cape to see an amazing, diverse underwater ecosystem.

Stroll along the East Cape Boardwalk. Interpretive signs explain the Aboriginal history of the Cape.

As beaches and coasts are natural environments, you may encounter hazards. Follow our water safety advice to make sure your day out at Cape Conran Coastal Park is a safe and enjoyable one.

Things To Do

A women walks her dog into the campsite while another women prepares food as her son looks on.

Banksia Bluff Campground

Banksia Bluff is a tranquil wooded campground where the peace is only broken by the dawn chorus and waves crashing. Set up camp among gum and banksia woodland and relax by the campfire. Camp with your dog on select sites.
A man carrying a surfboard walks through the shallow water at West Cape Beach at Cape Conran Coastal Park

Non-bookable camping at Cape Conran

To stay near the park's banksia woodlands and wild beaches, Cape Conran has three non-bookable campsites: Binn Beach, Gunnai Beach and Pearl Point. For bookable campsites, check out Banksia Bluff.
Two men cast fishing lines on a beach.

East Cape

East Cape is a good spot for a picnic offering gas barbecues and picnic tables. There are also a number of walks from the visitor area.
Two women stand-up paddle boarders paddle up the Yeerung River.

Yeerung Gorge

Yeerung Gorge - a jewel on the Cape - is a surprising landform that harbours some unusual vegetation associations and contains several deep dark rock pools fed by the babbling East Yeerung River.

Wildlife and Nature

 
Echidnas
Kangaroos
Lyrebirds
Wombats

Tours and adventure experiences in parks

One of the best ways you can get into nature is with a Licensed Tour Operator.

There are more than 400 Licensed Tour Operators across Victoria who are ready and waiting to help you experience and connect with Victoria’s spectacular parks and waterways.

Discover more than 60 different types of nature-based experiences including hiking, mountain biking, boating, four-wheel driving, indigenous culture tours, birdwatching, surfing, diving and so much more. 

Licensed Tour Operators know all the best places to go and will plan and prepare your visit to ensure you are safe and can enjoy your nature-based adventure to the fullest.

Find a Licensed Tour Operator

How to get there

Cape Conran Coastal Park

Cape Conran Coastal Park

When you're there

Download the Cape Conran Coastal Park visitor guide for more information about the park and the plethora of experiences to be had within its borders. 
 

Related Sites

When to go

The unspoilt beaches of Cape Conran married with the warmer weather of summer makes for perfect beachcombing conditions.
Make the most of beachside and water activities. Swim, snorkel to discover the unique marine life, go surfing or try your luck fishing.

Need to know

Cape Conran Coastal Park

Accessibility

Visiting a park can be more of a challenge for people with disabilities, however in Victoria there are a wide range of facilities to help people of all abilities enjoy our wonderful parks around the state.

Assistance dogs are welcome in Parks Victoria parks and reserves. Entry requirements apply for parks and reserves that are usually dog prohibited, such as national parks.

Cape Conran boat ramp

West Cape offers the only boat launching ramp in the area. The road leading to the ramp is sealed and a large car park is located nearby. Take care when using this boat ramp due to its exposed location.

The ramp is regularly subject to sand and kelp. The ramp is often slippery. It is advisable to use a 4WD to launch and retrieve vessels.

Parks Victoria generally clears the ramp of sand when conditions are favourable, but due to the rapidly changing state of the ramp, there may be occasions when there is sand on the ramp and ocean conditions are calm. Launching and retrieving vessels is generally easier around high tide.

Check the web cam image for current conditions of the boat ramp.

Change of Conditions

Nature being nature, sometimes conditions can change at short notice. It’s a good idea to check this page ahead of your visit for any updates.

  • Cape Conran Coastal Park

    Nature trail sectioned closed

    A section of the Nature trail from Cowrie Bay car park to Joiners Channel is closed while track works are completed. 

    Flood and storm related impacts to tracks and campgrounds

    • Pearl Point Rd between Pearl Point and Bemm River - open but only 4WD access to the following locations
      • Binn Beach campground
      • Pearl Point campground
      • Gunnai Beach campground
      • Py Yoot visitor area
    • Yeerung Lookout - closed
    • East Yeerung Track - closed at Yeerung Bridge and is suitable for 4WD only
    • Yeerung Bridge - open to pedestrians only 
    • Swampy Ridges Track - closed
    • Hekarwe Track - closed west of Swampy Ridges Track
    • East Cape Boardwalk - closed for fire recovery rebuild

    Cowrie bay access closed

    Access to Cowrie bay from the Nature trail (eastern side - circled red on map) is closed until December 30th while track works are completed. 
     
    Cowrie bay can still be reached from the western side of the Nature trail (circled green on the map).

    Attachments: track log-PV87647 (40KB)

  • Notices Affecting Multiple Sites

    Dog Friendly Parks

    The wet and warmer weather has brought paralysis ticks out in record numbers. Paralysis ticks are known in Coastal and near by Coastal areas and rainforest gullies.


    Keep your dog on lead in permitted parks


    Dogs are permitted in many parks and reserves provided they are under control and on leads at all times. Visitors should keep their dog on-lead except in designated off-lead areas. Keeping your dog on a lead ensures you both have a safe park visit.
    • Poison baits may be laid to control foxes or other feral animals. Baits can be fatal to dogs.
    • Even if your dog is friendly, other dogs may not be.
    • Your dog can catch parasites (such as fleas and ticks) from wildlife.
    • Snake bites are a real risk in natural areas such as parks.
    • Wildlife such as kangaroos and koalas will defend themselves if threatened by a dog and can cause significant injury to or the death of your dog.

    Dog-friendly code of conduct

    • Consider other park users and ensure that dogs are always kept under effective control.
    • Always carry a lead, even when in off-lead areas.
    • Bring a friend if you wish to walk with more than two dogs.
    • Ensure children are supervised whilst near dogs, as they are vulnerable to attack.
    • Ensure your dog’s identification, registration and vaccinations are up to date.
    • Minimise any disturbance to native fauna, including birdlife in the park.
    • Clean up after your dog and take all rubbish home.

    Camping area coordinates

    Access to Dock Inlet Walk camping area from the beach can be identified from a white totem pole on the sand dune, or by following coordinates: Latitude -37.784001, Longitude 148.847296. 

    Attachments: Dock Inlet Walk camping area coordinates and map (1,024KB)

  • Notices Affecting Multiple Parks

    Ground shooting operations targeting deer

    Ground control operations targeting deer will be undertaken in these Parks and Reserves from December 2022 to December 2023. These areas will remain open to visitors during operations.
     
    Alpine National Park (Bogong High Plains, Mount Bogong, Dinner Plain, Dargo High Plains, Foothills and Southern Alps)
    Buchan Caves Reserve
    Burrowa-Pine Mountain
    Cape Conran Coastal Park
    Cape Liptrap Coastal Park
    Cabbage Tree Creek Flora Reserve
    Errinundra National Park
    Lake Tyers State Park
    Lakes National Park
    Baw Baw National Park
    Mount Buffalo National Park
    Mount Mittamatite Regional Park
    Mount Mitta Mitta Flora Reserve
    Mount Lawson State Park
    Mount Granya State Park
    Mountain Creek Education Area
    Pheasant Creek Flora Reserve
    Wabba Wilderness Park
    Wilsons Promontory National Park

    For more information about deer control to protect biodiversity, please visit this link.

How we keep it special

Cape Conran Coastal Park bushfire recovery

We are restoring visitor facilities at Cape Conran following major bushfire damage in summer 2019/20.

Go behind the scenes with our rangers to find out more about the recovery process:



Parks Victoria

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