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Wingan Inlet Campground
Nestled on the western shores of Wingan Inlet, among tall Bloodwood trees, Wingan Inlet Campground offers a peaceful camping experience in one of the most secluded corners of Victoria. Jump in a canoe or kayak, or follow Fly Cove Walk to access the pristine sandy beaches of Croajingolong National Park.
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Wingan Inlet is one of Victoria's quaint escapes, nestled on the western-edge of the Sandpatch Wilderness Zone. The secluded campsites hide among tall Bloodwood trees not too far from the shores of Wingan Inlet.
Come prepared with a canoe or kayak and explore the Wingan River. Upstream, the river follows a winding course through sea rushes and paperback thickets to a towering littoral rainforest and the stunning Wingan River Rapids. Crystal clear water trickles through lichen-covered granite boulders and curious water dragons peer out from behind colourful wildflowers. Downstream, the river leads to the mouth of the inlet where sandbars give way to the wild ocean swells of Fly Cove.
A small network of rocky islands just off the white sands of Fly Cove are home to a colony of Australian and New Zealand Fur Seals. Listen carefully and you might be lucky enough to hear pups calling for their mothers.
Along with the Wingan River Rapids, Fly Cove can be accessed by foot from the camsites. Follow the Fly Cove Walk. The beginning of the Wingan Rapids walk begins from Boundary Track, a short drive from the campsites.
If you're a keen angler, try your luck fishing and you might just catch dinner. Tailor, bream, perch and salmon are some of the species found in the inlet. If you're fishing from a boat, please note that Wingan Inlet has a 20 hp motor size limit.
Come prepared with a canoe or kayak and explore the Wingan River. Upstream, the river follows a winding course through sea rushes and paperback thickets to a towering littoral rainforest and the stunning Wingan River Rapids. Crystal clear water trickles through lichen-covered granite boulders and curious water dragons peer out from behind colourful wildflowers. Downstream, the river leads to the mouth of the inlet where sandbars give way to the wild ocean swells of Fly Cove.
A small network of rocky islands just off the white sands of Fly Cove are home to a colony of Australian and New Zealand Fur Seals. Listen carefully and you might be lucky enough to hear pups calling for their mothers.
Along with the Wingan River Rapids, Fly Cove can be accessed by foot from the camsites. Follow the Fly Cove Walk. The beginning of the Wingan Rapids walk begins from Boundary Track, a short drive from the campsites.
If you're a keen angler, try your luck fishing and you might just catch dinner. Tailor, bream, perch and salmon are some of the species found in the inlet. If you're fishing from a boat, please note that Wingan Inlet has a 20 hp motor size limit.
Things To Do
Bird watching
From bushland to wetlands and everything in between, parks provide habitat to an abundance of common and rare bird species. Go for a wander and see how many you can spot.
Elusive Lake
Elusive Lake is another great wander from Wingan Inlet. The unique dune-blocked lake stands out among the tall eucalypts that surround its sandy banks. Reaching a depth of 22 metres in some places, jump in for a refreshing swim before returning to camp.
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.
How to get there
Wingan Inlet Campground
Wingan Inlet Campground is 6.5 hours drive east of Melbourne. Head along the Princes Highway and approximately 17km east of Cann River, turn down West Wingan Road. The campground is at the end of the unsealed road.
Sites
When you're there
The remote nature of Wingan Inlet Campground means that there is little or no mobile reception available. Download the Croajingolong National Park visitor guide to get the most your of your park visit.
When to go
Fishing at Wingan Inlet is best from December through to early May; however, it is one of the few locations in Victoria where fishing can be enjoyed year-round.
Flathead, whiting, yellowfin, bream and perch are most likely to bite from late spring to autumn. Throughout winter large schools of Black Bream make their way into the estuary. And tailor, salmon and trevally are also known to bite throughout June, July and August.
Flathead, whiting, yellowfin, bream and perch are most likely to bite from late spring to autumn. Throughout winter large schools of Black Bream make their way into the estuary. And tailor, salmon and trevally are also known to bite throughout June, July and August.
Need to know
Wingan Inlet Campground
Accessibility
Wingan Inlet contains a number of campsites that are relatively flat set in clear, open areas. But note that there's a lack of accessible toilets and the trails leading down to Fly Cove are narrow and steep in some sections.
Be prepared and stay safe
Croajingolong National Park is in the East Gippsland fire district. Bushfire safety is a personal responsibility. Anyone entering the park during the bushfire season needs to stay aware of forecast weather conditions. Check the Fire Danger Rating and for days of Total Fire Ban at emergency.vic.gov.au, on the Vic Emergency App or call the Vic Emergency Hotline 1800 226 226.
No fires may be lit on Total Fire Ban days. On Catastrophic Fire Danger Rating days this park will be closed for public safety. Closure signs will be erected but do not expect an official warning.
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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Thurra River (Croajingolong National Park)
Thurra Campground
The Thurra campground is currently closed pending replacement of the Thurra River bridge and safety works in the campground. Reopening is taking longer than expected due to the scale and complexity of works. Thurra campground may be reopened for summer 2023-2024, however please continue to monitor this site for updates and change of conditions. -
Notices Affecting Multiple Parks
Seasonal road closures 2022
Some roads in this park are subject to seasonal road closures. Seasonal road closures generally operate from after the long weekend in June through to the end of October, but may be extended due to seasonal conditions. Visit the seasonal road closures page for maps and more information.Planned deer control operations - Eastern Region
Planned deer control operations - Eastern RegionDeer 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 - Alpine
National Park
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Croajingolong National Park
Lakeview, Miners and a section of Betka Tracks closed due to severe storm damage
Tracks closed due to severe storm damage making conditions Dangerous, impassable and unsafe for vehicle accessPlanned aerial shooting operations – Cape Howe (Croajingolong National Park)
Parts of the Park will be closed during these dates while aerial shooting operations are undertaken.17-21 October 202224-28 October 202227-31 March 20233-7 April 2023See attached map for details.Attachments: Croajingolong NP _Cape Howe aerial shooting information (485KB)
Planned aerial shooting operations – Croajingolong National Park
Parts of the Park will be closed during these dates while aerial shooting operations are undertaken.17-21 October 202224-28 October 202227-31 March 20233-7 April 2023See attached map for details.Attachments: Croajingolong NP aerial shooting information (597KB)
Flood impacts to tracks and visitor sites
Croajingolong National Park was impacted by flooding in early April and some sites 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. -
Mueller Camp (Croajingolong National Park)
Mueller Inlet Campground - Closed due to flood damage
Following heavy rainfall in East Gippsland in late March/early April 2022, Mueller Inlet Campground will be closed until further notice due to flood damage. -
Notices Affecting Multiple Sites
Areas of Croajingolong National Park closed due to fire damage
The following areas of Croajingolong National Park remain closed:· Gravelly Point, including the jetty· Kingfish Point, including the jetty· Wilderness Coast Walk is closed between Bemm River and Shipwreck Creek due to fire and flood damage· Thurra River Campground· Point Hicks Road is closed south of Fishermans Track· Cicada Trail· Wingan Inlet Rapids Walk· Gale Hill Track· Rame Head Track
Parks Victoria apologises for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience and understanding as recovery work progresses. -
Wingan Inlet Campground (Croajingolong National Park)
Wingan Water Supply Trough
Campers are advised that the water supply trough at Wingan has been impacted by recent flooding. Campers should be self-sufficient in providing for their water needs for the duration of their visit and not rely on re-supply from the trough.
