Explore
Banksia Bluff Campground
Banksia Bluff is a tranquil wooded campground where the peace is only broken by dawn chorus and waves crashing off Bass Strait. Set up camp among mahogany gum and banksia woodland and explore the unique coastal playground.
As a result of widespread bushfire damage, there has been some changes to camping at Banksia Bluff.
Please read the below visitor and camping information prior to booking your stay.
Banksia Bluff Campground is perfect for families wanting to escape the big smoke and get a taste for nature. Set among mahogany and banksia woodland, the beautiful campground backs onto the wild Southern Ocean.
Relax at camp or explore on foot. Follow the Estuary view trail and take in the rich diversity of flora and fauna found in the lower reaches of the Yeerung River or the Cape Conran Nature Trail highlights white sandy beaches, rock pools, boardwalks, banksia woodlands and Aboriginal history of the coast.
If you're a keen angler, bring your fishing gear and cast a line off West Cape. Salmon, flathead and gummy sharks are plentiful. Or if you are an experienced diver, Beware Reef Marine Sanctuary hides three shipwrecks and a colourful underwater world.
At Banksia Bluff Campground there is a mixture of unpowered dog friendly and non-dog friendly campsites. Refer to the campground map below to see which areas are suitable if you wish to bring your furry canine camping, and make sure you select a dog friendly campsite when booking. Please note that your dog must be on a lead at all times. Campfires are permitted on selected sites and must be within a fire ring.
Flushing toilets and an outdoor cold shower is available.
Things to do in the area
Banksia Bluff Cabins
Gunnai Beach Campground

East Cape Beach
How to get there
Banksia Bluff Campground
Sites
When you're there
Banksia Bluff Campground is the main camping area within Cape Conran Coastal Park.
Download the visitor guide and campground map for further information.
Visitor and camping information
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What is open?
Banksia Bluff campground
The campground is open and all campsites need to be pre-booked online. There is no onsite office or shop facilities available. It will be necessary to BYO firewood, gas and water.
East Cape, West Cape and Yeerung Day Visitor Areas
• The East Cape Day Visitor Area is open.
• The West Cape Day Visitor area, Conran boat ramp, Salmon Rocks lookout and toilets and Salmon Rocks to West Cape path are open.
• The Yeerung Day Visitor Area including canoe launch, look out, beach access and Yeerung Gorge Walk is open. -
How do I make a booking?
All bookings must be made online, in advance. There is no booking office at Banksia Bluff.
Bookings are available on a first in, first served basis. Campsite selection is not available at the time of booking. Please choose a vacant site on arrival. If you have booked more than one campsite, there is no guarantee sites will be available within proximity of each other.
Due to reduced capacity, some campsites are closed. Please observe signage on campsites.
Ballots and peak season bookings
A ballot is held for booking Banksia Bluff Campground for the period from late December until late January.
Advance online bookings apply for Easter long weekend.
Further information, including release dates, is available on the Ballots and peak season bookings page.
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What do I need to know and bring?
Visitors and campers are reminded to follow physical distancing requirements, practice good hygiene by bringing a personal supply of hand sanitiser, and to stay home if you are feeling unwell.
Toilet facilities and cold-water beach showers are available at the campground. All campsites are unpowered, and the use of generators is not permitted. Potable water is not available and the bore water on tap is not suitable for consumption.
There is no shop or booking office, so it is important to BYO all your camping supplies including firewood, gas bottles and water.
During peak periods there may be limited supplies for sale, but this is not guaranteed. Nearby Marlo (17km) has fuel and basic convenience supplies. Orbost (34km) has fuel, supermarket, chemist, medical and veterinary services.
Mobile phone coverage is unreliable or not available in most areas and there is no public phone.
Campsite information
Banksia Bluff campsites are nestled within the coastal landscape and vegetation. Campsites vary in size and shape, with no two sites the same. The natural footprint of each campsite is a feature of the bush camping experience. Please allow for an overall usable space of 72m2, of no set shape. Sites are irregular so plan your camping equipment carefully.
The campground is generally suited to tents, campervans, camper trailers and small caravans. Larger vehicles, RVs, caravans and buses will not fit, and are not permitted.
Tight turning circles within the campground loops can make access challenging and restrictive. An overflow parking area outside the campground loops is available for boats, vehicles, and trailers. Camping is not permitted in this area.Shade is limited and shade equipment is recommended.
A permit is required for each vehicle, and a copy of your camping permit must be displayed on each vehicle during your stay.
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What do I do upon arrival?
Upon arrival and before entering the campground, please stop at the Banksia Bluff Information Point for site and emergency information. Throughout your stay monitor the Information Point for weather reports, emergency alerts, CFA fire ratings and changes in conditions. Staff are working within Banksia Bluff daily and can provide you with general information and support.
As sites are not pre-allocated, proceed to the campground and select a vacant site. Due to reduced capacity, some campsites are closed. Please observe signage on campsites.
Please display a copy of your camping permit on your vehicle during your stay.
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Can I have a campfire?
Campfires are permitted on sites with a provided campfire ring. Campsites in loop E do not have individual campfire rings and campers are restricted to using the communal campfire.
Campfires and solid fuel BBQs are only permitted for guests with a booking permit at Banksia Bluff Campground.
No fires may be lit on days of Total Fire Ban. Please ensure you understand campfire regulations and keep up to date with fire bans by visiting www.emergency.vic.gov.au.
Remember to bring your own firewood. It is illegal to collect firewood in the park.
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Can I bring my dog?
Dogs are permitted in the campground subject to booking a dog friendly campsite.
Dogs must always be on a lead to comply with park regulations and to protect native animals and sensitive revegetation areas.
Please note, dogs are sensitive to paralysis ticks that are found in coastal areas of East Gippsland. Search your dog daily for ticks. Ticks range in size from a few millimetres to the size of a small fingernail. If you find a tick, remove it using a pair of tweezers or your fingers.
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How do I keep up to date with changing conditions?
Parks conditions can change at short notice. Check our website for the latest park information before you arrive.
Visit www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au for up to date information.
Stay safe and get the most out of your park visit. You are responsible for your own safety and the safety of those in your care.
Follow these bushfire safety tips to ensure that your experience is safe and enjoyable.
Tune into ABC Gippsland (828 AM, 97.1 FM).
Please note, this park closes on Code Red Days.
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What will the Banksia Bluff Campground camping experience be like?
The layout of the campground will be the same, however campsites will be more open, as they are no longer nestled within dense bush.
With the removal of hazardous trees and understory damaged by the fire, tree cover will be minimal. With less vegetation, ocean views may be more prominent.
Many species of trees found in the Cape Conran landscape like the Banksia and Hakea species that respond well to fire, will have released their seeds to allow regeneration. Heathlands and the large grass tree stands will be flowering and providing nectar for the birds and fauna during these spring months.
Fauna returning to the bushfire-impacted areas of the park are kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, lace monitors, possums and various bird species.
Exclusion areas will be in place to protect future regeneration.
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What do I need to do to respect Cape Conran Coastal Park when visiting?
It is important to observe signs that have been installed for visitor safety and not go into fenced or closed areas. Closed areas are unsafe due to tree risk and asset damage.
Always remain on walking tracks and stay out of revegetation areas.
Do not feed native animals or leave food scraps around campsites. Storing your food in a vehicle is encouraged.
Comply with campfire safety regulations and only have fires in designated fire places.
Banksia Bluff Campground
Just off the coast of Cape Conran Coastal Park, Beware Reef Marine Sanctuary hides some over 1000 fish species, three shipwrecks and colourful underwater ecosystems. Experienced divers, head to Beware Reef to see this unique underwater world for yourself.
Camping & accommodation
Set up camp among mahogany gum and banksia woodland and explore the unique coastal playground.
Need to know
Banksia Bluff Campground
Accessibility
The most accessible toilet shower facilities service campsite numbers 65 to 72. These campsites are located approximately 35-metres from the toilets and outside shower facilities. The block consists of separate male and female toilets on a concrete slab. The entrance to the toilets is approximately 74 centimetres wide with an inward swinging door that has an internal horizontal, bolt-style lock. Measuring 155-cm in width and 195-cm in length, the toilet cubicle area has a reasonable amount of space to manoeuvre around. It however does not contain a support rail and the flush is quite high off the ground.
The outdoor shower is located a few metres from the toilet block. It is open with no partitioning. Access is located off the main campground road, along a short sandy pathway. The tap can be reaches from a seated position.
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.
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Cape Conran Coastal Park: Cabins (Cape Conran Coastal Park)
Banksia Bluff Cabins and Olive-Berry Lodge Bookings
Banksia Bluff Cabins and Olive-Berry Lodge will be closed from May 9th, 2022, to enable the construction of new cabins. Information on future bookings for the new accommodation and Olive-Berry Lodge will be released into August 2022.Traffic delays along Cabbage Tree Road, Yeerung Road and into Banksia Bluff Road are expected Tuesday May 17th and Wednesday May 18th to allow for the transport of new modular buildings into the Park.Banksia Bluff Campground will remain open. -
Cape Conran Coastal Park
Flood impacts to tracks and visitor sites
Cape Conran Coastal Park was impacted by flooding in early April and some sites remain closed. Monitor this page for updated site closures and impacts. -
Notices Affecting Multiple Parks
Deer Control (ground shooting) operation underway
Deer control is being undertaken in this park from October 2021 to June 2022. Some localised access restrictions may apply. Find out more about this program.