Yeerung River and Beach

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    Yeerung River and Beach

    Cape Conran Coastal Park

    Yeerung River and Beach is an idyllic place to spend a day as part of your holiday to Cape Conran or Marlo. There are long and short walks, and the lazy river is a safe place to swim and a magical place to canoe. There is plenty of space on the beach for surfing.

    It can be difficult to find a safe swimming spot along the wild and unspoilt coast of East Gippsland. So Yeerung Beach is a real gem. Here, the Yeerung River forms a long, languid bend before it meets the sea, creating a placid swimming hole that's perfect for kids.

    Yeerung River and Beach is a great day out from Banksia Bluff, Marlo or Sydenham Inlet. Well away from any centres of population, you will find seclusion, although bear in mind that with the tranquility comes few facilities: just a canoe launch ramp and picnic tables.

    There are easy walks, such as the Estuary View Walk, and longer walks, such as the Dock Inlet Walk (which you can turn into an overnight hike).

    A launch area gives canoeists and kayakers access to the tannin-stained waters of the Yeerung and amazing wildlife such as Pilotbirds and Southern Emu Wrens that call the river home.

    Down on the beach, the golden sands stretch off into the distance, offering plenty of room for surfers and surf fishers alike.

    Things to do

     
    Two friends fish off the back a boat on a misty morning on Lake Eildon.

    Fishing

    In quiet lakes and gently flowing rivers, in the pounding surf or in the depths beneath your boat – the waters of Victoria’s parks and reserves offer some prize catches.
    Canoeing

    Canoeing and Kayaking

    Canoeing and kayaking are great ways to explore beautiful waterways. Enjoy the tranquility and spot wildlife that hikers don’t normally see.
    Mum helps her young son as he jumps off a large piece of drift wood at West Cape Beach.

    Beaches

    Walk white sandy beaches, swim in cool coastal waters or surf the wild waves of the Southern Ocean.

    How to get there

    Yeerung River and Beach

    Yeerung River and Beach is at the western end of Cape Conran Coastal Park, not far from Marlo. Take Marlo Road C107 from the Princes Highway. Keep going until it becomes Cape Conran Road and then turn off onto Yeerung River Road a few hundred metres later.

    You can park at Yeerung Beach, the canoe launch area or the bridge over the Yeerung River (turn off onto Pearl Point Track).

    Yeerung River and Beach

    When you're there

    Facilities at Yeerung River and Beach are basic. The nearest toilets to Yeerung River and Beach are 4km away at East Cape Beach. 

    The Yeerung Gorge Walk is some distance away and best accessed by car along Pearl Point Track and then East Yeerung Track.

    Although experienced surfers will enjoy Yeerung Beach, less experienced surfers will be safer surfing at East Cape. 

    Download the Cape Conran Coastal Park visitor guide before your visit.

    Need to know

    Yeerung River and Beach

    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.

    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

      Flood damage and ongoing heavy rainfall have closed some vehicle tracks

      Cape Conran Coastal Park was impacted by flooding in early April and ongoing heavy rain over winter has further affected some areas. Some visitor sites and vehicle tracks are currently closed. Monitor this page for updated site closures. 

      Assessments are ongoing and further areas may be closed at short notice or not accessible on arrival. 

    • West Cape (Cape Conran Coastal Park)

      Cape Conran boat ramp upgrade - closure information

      Located 15km east of the township of Marlo and part of Cape Conran Coastal Park, the boat ramp at West Cape is a popular boating and fishing destination. It provides the only direct ocean access between Lakes Entrance and Mallacoota and is a key access point to the nearby Beware Reef Marine Sanctuary.
       
      Better Boating Victoria are funding $2.79 million worth of upgrades to the boat ramp at Cape Conran. While work is undertaken at the site, the boat ramp will be
       
      Closed to all users from Monday 12 September until Saturday 10 December 2022
       
      During this period, commercial, recreational, and emergency service boat users are advised that the closest ocean access ramps are at either Mallacoota to the east or Lakes Entrance to the west.

      The Victorian Government investment at Cape Conran boat ramp will make it cheaper, easier, and more accessible for all Victorians to enjoy time on the water. Key features of the upgrade include:

      ·      Increasing the jetty by 21m to provide additional berthing space
      ·      Steepening the gradient of the single-lane ramp to bring it in-line with current standards and to minimise accumulation of sand and kelp
      ·      Marking areas of hazardous rock to improve navigation and safety
      ·      Construction of a new concreate apron at the top of the ramp
      ·      Installation of a convex mirror to provide a view of the ramp before vehicles towing trailers commit to turning onto the ramp apron
      ·      Construction of a retaining wall to protect vehicles and Aboriginal cultural heritage from collision
       
      The Boating Victoria ramp finder web cam allows those interested in the site to follow the progress of the ramp upgrade. Once completed, the ramp will have increased berthing capacity, easier launch and retrieval capability, and protection of cultural heritage.
       
       

    • Notices Affecting Multiple Sites

      Banksia Bluff Accommodation Bookings

      Banksia Bluff Accommodation is currently closed, with new accommodation under planning and construction.
      Information on future bookings for the new accommodation and Olive-Berry Lodge is yet to be released.
      Banksia Bluff Campground remains open for bookings.

    • Notices Affecting Multiple Parks

      Planned deer control operations - Eastern Region

      Planned deer control operations - Eastern Region
       
      Deer control operations (ground and aerial) will be carried out across the following parks and reserves between October 2022 and June 2023. 
       
      • Alpine National Park
        • Mount Bogong & Bogong High Plains
        • Dinner Plain/Dargo High Plains
        • Feathertop
        • Foothills and Southern Alps
        • Ingeegoodbee/Tingaringy
      • Buchan Caves Reserve
      • Cabbage Tree Creek Flora Reserve
      • Cape Conran Coastal Park
      • Coopracambra NP
      • Croajingolong NP
      • Errinundra NP
      • Lake Tyers State Park
      • Baw Baw NP
      • Mount Buffalo NP
      • Snowy River NP
      • Upper Murray - Wabba Wilderness, Burrowa Pine NP, Mt Mittamitite
      • Wilsons Prom NP
       
      More information on temporary park closures for aerial shooting operations will be provided in the coming weeks
       
       For more information on deer control to protect native species visit parks.vic.gov.au.

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    Johanna Beach Campground

    Nestled between coastal sand dunes, a lush, grassy hinterland and a prime surf beach, the dog-on-lead friendly Johanna Beach Campground has everything you need for an unforgettable seaside camping experience. Take in the salty ocean vistas, go surfing, fishing or hike a section of the Great Ocean Walk.
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    Norman Beach

    Close to Tidal River campground, the beautiful Norman Beach is flanked by Pillar Point in the north and Norman Point in the south and offers stunning views of Mount Oberon.

    Thurra River Campground

    This campground is located in coastal woodland between the river and the ocean near Point Hicks. This is a popular spot for families to relax on hot days.
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