Shearers Quarters

Shearers Quarters - an historic self-contained four bedroom cottage in the middle of the Murray Sunset National Park.

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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. 

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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 rustic self-contained cottage sleeps up to 10 people and offers creature comforts such as a gas fridge, oven and stovetop, as well as a bathroom with hot showers and flushing toilets. 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, pillows, cooking equipment and firewood for the adjacent outdoor fire pit.

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, shared firepits and picnic tables as well as a pit-toilet. Camping is free and on a first-come first-served basis, and bookings are not required.

When you're there, 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.

A 4WD is needed to access to Shearers Quarters and the roads can be difficult to pass when wet.

Things to do in the area

 
Stargazing in the Murray Sunset National Park.

Stargazing

Escape the city lights to remote nature locations to see the spectacular starry southern night sky.
Two people walk across a dry pink salt lake.

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.
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.
A Land Rover Defender attempts a river crossing in the Alpine National Park.

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.
Wallpolla Island in the Murray Sunset National Park.

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

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 hot showers and flushing toilets, supplied by non-potable tank water. Supply is limited and cannot be guaranteed, please help conserve water by keeping showers short .

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 pit 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.

Need to know

Shearers Quarters

Accessibility

Be prepared and stay safe

Murray - Sunset Great Otway National Park is in the Mallee fire district. Bushfires can occur during the warmer months. It is your responsibility to check current and forecast weather conditions. Campfires cannot be lit on days of Total Fire Ban, however gas cookers can be used for preparing food.

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.

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.

  • Murray - Sunset National Park

    Mulcra Island is now partially open giving campers access to the Murray River


    Mulcra Island is now partially open giving campers access to the Murray River from River access 1 through to Lock 8. 

    Snake Lagoon track to the east is closed until further notice due to riverine flood damage affecting both access and visitor safety, so there is no access beyond Lock 8. Access through the Snake Lagoon track via the Old Mail Road is also affected by this closure. 

    Visitors are advised that some areas continue to be affected by residual flood water and high river levels. Caution is advised when camping in these areas. 

    Wallpolla Island Closed

    Wallpolla Island is closed due to riverine flood damage affecting both access and visitor safety.

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