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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
Bridge closed
The Robertsons Track-Wallpolla Creek Bridge has been closed, as the bridge is no longer safe to use. -
Notices Affecting Multiple Parks
Campground closure
As directed by the Chief Health Officer all campsites, camping grounds and caravan parks closed from midnight 25 March 2020.People can continue to live on a closed caravan park or camping ground if it is registered as their primary place of residence or if they are staying in caravan parks as interim accommodation where their primary residence is not available. For further information go to parks.vic.gov.au/COVID19 -
Notices Affecting Multiple Sites
Blue-Green Algae Alert
A red alert level warning for Blue-green algae has been issued from Merbein Pump Station to Lock 9. Visitors to the Murray River Reserve between those two points, should avoid contact with the water. Blue-green algae occur naturally and can be dangerous to humans and animals. Characteristic signs of algae contact are skin rashes or itchiness, sore eyes, ears and nose, or, if swallowed, nausea or vomiting. Water from the lakes should not be used for cooking, drinking, washing, etc. Boiling the affected water will not make it safe to use. Anyone who comes into contact with affected water should wash skin immediately in clean water. See more information about blue-green algae from the Department of Health and Human Services.
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