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Shearers Quarters
The Shearers Quarters is a historic self-contained cottage nestled in the remote heart of Murray-Sunset National Park. It is a great place to get away from it all and enjoy the serenity of the bush. Go camping, bushwalking and birdwatching in the wide, open landscape.
The Shearers Quarters is perfect if you want to escape to a remote outback environment. Nestled in the heart of Murray-Sunset National Park, it is set in one of the few semi-arid regions in the world where the environment remains relatively untouched.
Shearers Quarters Cottage
Stay in the historic Shearers Quarters cottage, which was once the sleeping quarters of men who herded livestock through the region. The self-contained cottage sleeps up to 10 people and offers some creature comforts such as a gas fridge and bathroom with hot shower. Bookings are essential.
There is a limited supply of non-potable water for showering but you will need to supply your own drinking water. Remember to bring everything else you need, including linen, cooking equipment and firewood.
Shearers Quarters Camping Area
If you want to get closer to nature, pitch your tent at Shearers Quarters Camping Area. Camp in Victoria's own outback and sit around the table or fire pit while you enjoy the serenity of the bush.
The wide, open landscape is the perfect backdrop for you to admire breathtaking sunsets and starry nights. There are three unpowered campsites suitable for up to six people per site. Camping is free and on a first-come first-served basis. Bookings are not required.
Explore the dry forest and woodlands as you take a bushwalk along the 3.5km Sunset Nature Walk, which begins at the camping area. You can see a variety of dry country birdlife in the region, including the endangered Malleefowl. On a warm afternoon, you may be lucky enough to spot a Bearded Dragon or Mallee Dragon basking in the sun. Signs along the way tell stories of parks flora and fauna and the area’s farming and logging history.
Stay in the historic Shearers Quarters cottage, which was once the sleeping quarters of men who herded livestock through the region. The self-contained cottage sleeps up to 10 people and offers some creature comforts such as a gas fridge and bathroom with hot shower. Bookings are essential.
There is a limited supply of non-potable water for showering but you will need to supply your own drinking water. Remember to bring everything else you need, including linen, cooking equipment and firewood.
Shearers Quarters Camping Area
If you want to get closer to nature, pitch your tent at Shearers Quarters Camping Area. Camp in Victoria's own outback and sit around the table or fire pit while you enjoy the serenity of the bush.
The wide, open landscape is the perfect backdrop for you to admire breathtaking sunsets and starry nights. There are three unpowered campsites suitable for up to six people per site. Camping is free and on a first-come first-served basis. Bookings are not required.
Explore the dry forest and woodlands as you take a bushwalk along the 3.5km Sunset Nature Walk, which begins at the camping area. You can see a variety of dry country birdlife in the region, including the endangered Malleefowl. On a warm afternoon, you may be lucky enough to spot a Bearded Dragon or Mallee Dragon basking in the sun. Signs along the way tell stories of parks flora and fauna and the area’s farming and logging history.
Things to do in the area
Stargazing
Escape the city lights to remote nature locations to see the spectacular starry southern night sky.
Pink Lakes
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.
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.
4WD
Enjoy a range of short and long 4WD trips in Victoria's parks. From the desert or mountains, to the rainforest or snow, 4WD tracks cater for all levels of skill and expertise.
Walpolla Island
Wallpolla Island near Merbein is 9800ha of floodplain vegetation including Red Gum, saltbush plains, seasonal lakes and grasslands. Activities include fishing, boating and camping.
How to get there
Shearers Quarters
Murray-Sunset National Park is in north-west Victoria, about 550km from Melbourne and 400km from Adelaide. Access to the park from Melbourne is via the Calder Highway and from South Australia via the Sturt Highway.
Shearers Quarters is 40km east of Loxton and 10km from the South Australian and Victorian border. Access is via unsealed roads suitable for 4WD only.
Shearers Quarters is 40km east of Loxton and 10km from the South Australian and Victorian border. Access is via unsealed roads suitable for 4WD only.
Sites
When you're there
The Shearers Quarters cottage has keyless entry and you will be given a code before you arrive.
You can book individual rooms or the whole house, depending on availability. Bedrooms one and two have three single beds each, and bedrooms three and four have two single beds each. There is a shared bathroom with a hot shower, supplied by non-potable tank water. Supply is limited and cannot be guaranteed.
You will need to supply your own drinking water. Limited utensils, pots and pans are available in the shared kitchen. It is best to bring your own cooking equipment.
A toilet facility is situated between the cottage and camping area. There is a shared table and fireplace at the camping area. Download the Visitor Guide before you go.
The 3.5km Sunset Nature Walk begins at the north-west corner of the camping area. Download the Birds of the Mallee Parks factsheet for a list of over 300 bird species found in the region.
You can book individual rooms or the whole house, depending on availability. Bedrooms one and two have three single beds each, and bedrooms three and four have two single beds each. There is a shared bathroom with a hot shower, supplied by non-potable tank water. Supply is limited and cannot be guaranteed.
You will need to supply your own drinking water. Limited utensils, pots and pans are available in the shared kitchen. It is best to bring your own cooking equipment.
A toilet facility is situated between the cottage and camping area. There is a shared table and fireplace at the camping area. Download the Visitor Guide before you go.
The 3.5km Sunset Nature Walk begins at the north-west corner of the camping area. Download the Birds of the Mallee Parks factsheet for a list of over 300 bird species found in the region.
Camping & accommodation
Advance bookings and payment for camping are required year round for the Shearers Quarters. Fees no longer apply to other camping areas within Murray Sunset National Park
Need to know
Shearers Quarters
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.
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
Park Closure - Conservation Program
Due to conservation programs parts of the Berribee area, including Lindsay River, will be closed from sunset to sunrise on week days from Monday 4 January to Friday 22 January 2021. These areas are open to the public during daylight hours and weekends. Closure signs will be in place on all main entry points to closed sections of the park.Closure - Conservation Program
Due to conservation programs Lindsay Island will be closed from Monday 11 January to Friday 22 January 2021. Alternative camping is available nearby at Mulcra Island or Higgins Cutting.Closure - Conservation Program
Due to conservation programs parts of the Berribee area, including Lindsay River, will be closed from sunset to sunrise from Wednesday 27 January to Friday 29 January 2021. These areas are open to the public during daylight hours. Closure signs will be in place on all main entry points to closed sections of the park.Closure - Conservation Program
Due to conservation programs Lindsay Island will be closed from Wednesday 27 January to Friday 29 January 2021. Alternative camping is available nearby at Mulcra Island or Higgins Cutting. -
Access 11 Sandbar & Camping Area (Murray - Sunset National Park)
Bridge Closed, Sandy Creek Bridge on Robertson Road, Wallpolla Island, Murray-Sunset NP
The bridge is no longer safe and has been removed. Please use Deadmans Track to access Wallpolla Island. -
Notices Affecting Multiple Sites
Water over track on Dedmans Track, Wallpolla Island, Murray-Sunset NP
Caution! Environmental water is flowing into Wallpolla Creek across Dedmans Track near the park entrance on the Old Mail Route. The water at the crossing is approximately 10cm deep and should recede by the end of January 2021. Please proceed with caution, 2WD vehicles are not recommended.Environmental water has been flowing into Sandy Creek across Dedmans Track at the Lily Pond on Wallpolla Island within Murray-Sunset National Park. The water at the crossing is currently 30cm deep and will continue to slowly recede. It is NOT recommended to enter any floodwaters or attempt this water crossing. Alternate campsites are available at River Access's 1 to 7.Park Closure - Conservation Program
Due to park conservation programs parts of the Taparoo area, including the Shearers Quarters campground, will be closed from sunset to sunrise from Monday 18 January to Friday 22 January 2021. These areas are open to the public during daylight hours. Closure signs will be in place on all main entry points to closed sections of the park.Closure - Conservation Program
Due to park conservation programs parts of the Taparoo area, including the Shearers Quarters campground, will be closed from sunset to sunrise from Wednesday 27 January to Friday 29 January 2021. These areas are open to the public during daylight hours. Closure signs will be in place on all main entry points to closed sections of the park.Blue-Green Algae Alert
A red alert level for Blue-green algae has been issued for the Murray River from Red Cliffs to Mildura. A red alert level warning remains in place for Wentworth. Visitors to the Murray River Reserve between these locations, Kings Billabong Park and Murray-Sunset NP - Wallpolla Island should avoid contact with the water. People should not undertake recreational activities where they may be coming into direct contact with the water. Contact with the water may also pose a threat to pets.People are advised not to enter the water, not to drink untreated water or use the water for other domestic purposes, including cooking and showering/bathing in untreated water while a red alert level warning is in place. Boiling the water will not remove algal toxins.People should not eat mussels or crayfish from red alert warning areas. Any fish caught should be cleaned and washed thoroughly in uncontaminated water and any internal organs disposed of before consumption.Blue-green algae usually appear as green paint-like scums on the water, near the edges, or as greenish clumps throughout the water. It makes the water appear dirty, green or discoloured and generally has a strong musty or earthy odour.Blue-green algae occur naturally and can reproduce quickly in favourable conditions where there is still or slow-flowing water, abundant sunlight and sufficient levels of nutrients.It is not possible to predict how long the algae will remain at high levels. Regular monitoring will continue, and the alert will be lifted as soon as the high levels of algae dissipate.People who believe they may have been affected by blue-green algae are advised to seek medical advice.Blue-Green Algae Alert
A red alert level for Blue-green algae has been issued for the Murray River from Red Cliffs to Mildura. A red alert level warning remains in place for Wentworth. Visitors to the Murray River Reserve between these locations, Kings Billabong Park and Murray-Sunset NP - Wallpolla Island should avoid contact with the water. People should not undertake recreational activities where they may be coming into direct contact with the water. Contact with the water may also pose a threat to pets.People are advised not to enter the water, not to drink untreated water or use the water for other domestic purposes, including cooking and showering/bathing in untreated water while a red alert level warning is in place. Boiling the water will not remove algal toxins.People should not eat mussels or crayfish from red alert warning areas. Any fish caught should be cleaned and washed thoroughly in uncontaminated water and any internal organs disposed of before consumption.Blue-green algae usually appear as green paint-like scums on the water, near the edges, or as greenish clumps throughout the water. It makes the water appear dirty, green or discoloured and generally has a strong musty or earthy odour.Blue-green algae occur naturally and can reproduce quickly in favourable conditions where there is still or slow-flowing water, abundant sunlight and sufficient levels of nutrients.It is not possible to predict how long the algae will remain at high levels. Regular monitoring will continue, and the alert will be lifted as soon as the high levels of algae dissipate.People who believe they may have been affected by blue-green algae are advised to seek medical advice.
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