Bunga Arm Campground

The point of view from inside a green tent looking out to a lake. A man approaches the tent with a coffee.

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Bunga Arm Campground

Escape the crowds and make your way to Bunga Arm, a 250-metre sand barrier formed over thousands of years separating the tranquil waters of the Gippsland Lakes from the rough ocean swells of Bass Strait. Choose from seven scenic campgrounds only accessible by boat nestled on this bird-rich island.
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Pitch a tent at one of the seven campgrounds nestled on the tranquil Bunga Arm, east of Steamer Landing.

Only accessible by boat, each campground contains six to twelve campsites along with non-flush toilets, communal picnic tables and fireplaces. All campsites are unpowered, can accommodate a maximum of six people each, and are limited to a three week maximum stay.

Choose a spot at Albatross, Cormorant, Dotterel, Egret, Gannet, Pelican or Shearwater Campground and make the most of the waterside location.

Indulge in kayaking and waterskiing adventures, bring your bathers to swim off the lakeside shores, or your fishing rod to cast a line. Catch bream, flathead, skipjack and mullet on one side of the Bunga Arm, and salmon and snapper on the ocean side.

In the late afternoon spot kangaroos grazing along the shoreline and shorebirds such as Hooded Plovers, Little Terns and Fairy Terns swooping in to roost on the long fingers of sand.

Wind down at the end of the day with a stroll along a stunning stretch of coast and spot pods of dolphins as they case schools of fish in the shallows.

Things to do in the area

 

Ninety Mile Beach Marine National Park

Located 30km south of Sale and adjacent to Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park, this park covers 5km of coastline. This untamed stretch of coastline runs alongside the slender strip of sand dunes that protect the Gippsland Lakes.
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.
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.
Father and son bird watching on boardwalk

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.
Two teenage girls take part in a sailing race on Port Philip Bay in a small boat called Inkspot.

Boating and sailing

Take to the waves of Port Phillip and see Victoria's coast from the water or sail inland lakes and rivers by boat or charter.

How to get there

Bunga Arm Campground

Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park is located in East Gippsland. Access to Bunga Arm is only by boat. The nearest boat launching facilities are at Paynesville. Boats can be landed on the beach at designated campgrounds or day visitor areas along the length of the arm. Jetties are located at the day visitor areas Ocean Grange and Steamer Landing. Boats can be landed on the beach along the length of the arm. Please use the mooring posts provided or anchor boats to the sand, rather than tying boats to the trees.
Bunga Arm Campground

Sites

When you're there

Non-flush toilets, sheltered picnic facilitiesand fireplaces are provided. Fires may be lit in the fireplaces provided by Parks Victoria. Firewood collection is not permitted. Campers should bring their own firewood or a fuel stove for cooking.

Download the visitor guide for more information.  

Need to know

Bunga Arm Campground

Be prepared and stay safe

Gippsland Lakes Coastal 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.

  • 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.

    Pest Animal Control Program

    Parks Victoria will be undertaking a pest animal ground shooting program between April 2025 and July 2025, inclusive, in Lake Coleman Wildlife Reserve and Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park. The park will remain open to visitors during operations.

  • Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park

    Pines Track 4WD access only

    Pines Track is a minor vehicle access track in the Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park. Pines Track is recommended for 4WD use only. Sections of track can at times be boggy, sandy or inundated with water. Track is not suitable for 2WD or low vehicles.

  • Red Bluff Campground (Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park)

    Beacon Swamp Track suitable for 4WD access only

    Beacon Swamp track in the Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park is suitable for 4WD access only. Track conditions include soft loose sand. Those wishing to camp at Red Bluff Campground should consider this information prior to planning there stay. 

  • Entrance Bay (Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park)

    Sand nourishment works may impact access to some areas

    Sand nourishment works will be occurring at Baxter Island GLR and Rigby Island GLR in the Gippsland Lakes between April-June 2025. Machinery and dredging operations at these sites may impact access.
     
    If you require further information please call 13 19 63

Similar experiences

One man adds a log on to the fire at Bear Gully Campground at Cape Liptrap Coastal Park

Bear Gully Campground

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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 women in a bucket hat kayaks along Wingan Inlet.

Wingan Inlet Campground

This campground is in a tall Bloodwood forest on the western shore of Wingan Inlet in a tranquil bush setting.
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