Yeerung River and Beach

Three women stand-up-paddle board on small estuary in front of sand dunes.

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

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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

 
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.

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.

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.

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

    Cowrie bay access closed

    Access to Cowrie bay from the Nature trail (eastern side - circled red on map) is closed until June 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)

    Flood and storm related impacts to vehicle tracks

    Conditions apply to the following vehicle tracks due to damage caused by flood and storm events.
    • Pearl Point Road - between Bemm River township and Pearl Point is currently open to 4WD vehicles only.
    • East Yeerung Track - accessible only to 4WD vehicles via Old Coast Road.  Yeerung River Bridge is closed.

  • Banksia Bluff Campground (Cape Conran Coastal Park)

    Campsites in Loop A + B - closed to bookings May 2024

    Bluff Campground campsites in Loop A + B will be closed to bookings across May 2024, whilst essential tree works and maintenance are undertaken.

    Campsites in Loop E + F closed to bookings June 2024

    Banksia Bluff Campground campsites in Loop E + F will be closed to bookings across June 2024, whilst essential tree works and maintenance are undertaken.

  • Cape Conran Coastal Park: Cabins (Cape Conran Coastal Park)

    CAPE CONRAN COASTAL PARK ROOFED ACCOMMODATION

    Parks Victoria is replacing and upgrading the lost accommodation to create enhanced accommodation options for visitors of diverse backgrounds and abilities at the park. For updates please visit the Project status page.


  • 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.

  • Dock Inlet Walk (Cape Conran Coastal Park)

    Dock inlet camping 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 the 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

    Control operations (ground shooting) targeting deer are undertaken in this area.  The Park will remain open to visitors during operations.
     
    For more information about deer control to protect biodiversity, please visit this link.

Similar Experiences

 
A couple in their thirties play with their dog at Johanna Beach Campground next to their tent and campervan.

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.
The view of Norman Beach from the summit of Mount Oberon.

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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