Explore
Murray - Sunset National Park
Murray-Sunset National Park is home to the famous Pink Lakes. This remote and unspoilt corner of northwestern Victoria draws photographers from all over the world. Explore the islands of the Murray River by four-wheel drive in dry weather or by canoe after rain and camp under starry skies.
The park is well-named. Enjoy some of the finest sunsets in the world plus see the unique and world-famous Pink Lakes. Enjoy walks and camping nearby.
Salt mine relics and mounds of salt have lain abandoned on the edges of the Pink Lakes since operation ceased in 1979. Follow the interpretive signs to learn about the area's salt harvesting industry. Follow Pioneer Drive and take in the best of the Pink Lakes, from Lake Crosbie to Lake Kenyon and Lake Becking.
Murray-Sunset National Park is home to spectacular birdlife. Keep an eye out for the Malleefowl, Regent Parrot, Red-lored Whistler and Mallee Emu-Wren, which are all native to the area. Go canoeing, boating and fishing in the floodplains around Walpolla, Lindsay and Mulcra Island. This is an awesome place for wildlife. Spot goannas, emus, spotted bowerbird and colourful nectar-feeding birds.
Meet our Ranger Damien, a proud Wiradjuri man who cares deeply for the lands upon which he works. Based in North West Victoria, but with a statewide remit, Damien is an expert in the identification and protection of aboriginal cultural heritage and a mentor to Parks Victoria staff across the state.
Tours and adventure experiences in parks
One of the best ways you can get into nature is with a Licensed Tour Operator.
There are more than 400 Licensed Tour Operators across Victoria who are ready and waiting to help you experience and connect with Victoria’s spectacular parks and waterways.
Discover more than 60 different types of nature-based experiences including hiking, mountain biking, boating, four-wheel driving, indigenous culture tours, birdwatching, surfing, diving and so much more.
Licensed Tour Operators know all the best places to go and will plan and prepare your visit to ensure you are safe and can enjoy your nature-based adventure to the fullest.
How to get there
Murray - Sunset National Park
Murray-Sunset National Park is in northwest Victoria, between Ouyen and Mildura and the South Australian border. It is about 550kms from Melbourne and 400kms from Adelaide.
Access to the park from Melbourne is via the Calder Highway, and from South Australia via the Sturt Highway.
This large, diverse park was declared in 1991. It plays a unique role in protecting Australia’s biodiversity and contains four designated wilderness zones.
It is one of the last remaining semi-arid regions in the world where the environment remains relatively untouched.
When you're there
Need to know
Murray - Sunset National Park
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.
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Murray - Sunset National Park
Repair to Dedman's 2 Bridge - Murray Sunset National Park
The October 2022 flood event caused damage to many areas in Murray Sunset National Park. A large tree has fallen near Dedman's 2 Bridge on Wallpolla Island. Parks Victoria has engaged consulting Civil Engineers to undertake a preliminary site inspection and preparation of an engineer's report. The structure is safe and remains open for use. Works are required to preventing further damage to the bridge structure. Parks Victoria is currently:- Planning works, obtaining permits and seeking quotes from local contractors.
- Repairing Dedman's Track (from entry off Old Mail Road) to allow trucks and earthmoving machinery to travel to the worksite.
- Developing the work package and obtaining quotes from contractors for the repair.
Attachments: Repair_Works_Underway_A3 Murray Sunset National Park - Deadmans 2 Bridge (543KB)
Repair to track network in Murray Sunset National Park
The October 2022 flood event caused damage to many areas in Murray Sunset National Park. Immediate repairs have been completed to keep the Murray Sunset National Park open and safe. Where the scope of repair is extensive, our local Ranger Team have placed barriers and track detours. Please observe signs and be aware that our Ranger Team and local contractors may be working in the area. Parks Victoria is currently:- Planning works, obtaining permits and seeking quotes from local contractors.
- Clearing roadside vegetation in preparation for works at Wallpolla Island.
- Stockpiling crushed rock at Lindsay Island, Mulcra Island and Wallpolla Island in preparation for future works.
Attachments: Repair_Works_Underway_A3 Murray Sunset National Park (520KB)
Repair to Finnegan's Bridge at Wallpolla Island - Murray Sunset National Park
The October 2022 flood event caused damage to many areas in Murray Sunset National Park. Parks Victoria has engaged consulting Civil Engineers to undertake a preliminary site inspection and preparation of an engineer's report. Finnegan's Bridge is safe and remains open for use. Works are required to preventing further damage to the bridge structure. Parks Victoria is currently:•Planning works, obtaining permits and seeking quotes from local contractors.•Repairing Dedman's Track (from entry off Old Mail Road) to allow trucks and earthmoving machinery to travel to the worksite.•Developing the work package and obtaining quotes from contractors for the repair.Attachments: Repair_Works_Underway_A3 Murray Sunset National Park - Finegans Bridge (347KB)
How we keep it special
The Mallee and River Red Gum Parks Management Plans, which both include Murray-Sunset National Park, together direct aspects of management across the parks.
The Mallee and River Red Gum Parks Conservation Action Plans provide directions for environmental conservation management across the diverse landscape. The Mallee Plan focuses on the heathlands on sand dunes, saline soaks, woodlands, riverine and lake systems. The River Red Gum Plan looks at landscapes which are supported by the Murray River from dry and riverine forests to woodlands, freshwater and saline wetlands.
Pink Lakes - Lake Hardy and Lake Crosbie
The Pink Lakes are so named because of their colour during late summer. A red pigment, carotene, is secreted from the algae - best seen early or late in the day or when it is cloudy. The lakes evaporate over summer leaving concentrated salt crusts over black mud. Commercial salt harvesting began in the Pink Lakes area in 1916, using shovels and wheel-barrows. For more than twenty years camel teams transported the salt away from the area. Today old salt stock piles and machinery used in harvesting can be seen on the edge of Lake Crosbie.
Pink Lakes are 60kms west of Ouyen along the Mallee Highway. Turn onto an all-weather gravel road for 13kms to the main camping areas at Lake Crosbie. Access further north into the park is recommended for four wheel drive only. Access is also possible by two wheel drive vehicles along a gravel road from Linga.
For those with limited time, a drive around the Pioneer Drive (Pink Lakes) is recommended. Otherwise take a four wheel drive trip to the Mount Crozier Lookout or old Mopoke Hut outstation.
It is important to check current road conditions with park staff before visiting. Some tracks become impassable in wet weather and others are recommended only for four wheel drive. Ensure you carry adequate water, food and fuel when four wheel driving.
The wildflower display during spring can be impressive. On a warm afternoon you may see Rainbow Bee-eaters chasing flying insects or Mallee and Bearded Dragons scurrying to the cover of a Triodia (Porcupine Grass) clump.