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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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Lake Walla Walla Camping Area (Murray - Sunset National Park)
All Tracks closed around Lake Walla Walla
For Cultural Heritage Protection ALL main roads/tracks are now closed around Lake Walla Walla that lead off the Old Mail Road and Walla Walla Track . There are Road Closed signs in place and unauthorised entry into these closed areas could result in significant/major fines. These Roads will be closed for the foreseeable future.Access to the Lake is still permitted, however only directly from the Old Mail Road and on already defined park tracks. Please note that any powered vessels must only use an electric motor when on any water body within the park.Road closure on the western side of Lake Walla Walla due to Cultural Heritage protection.
For Cultural Heritage Protection roads are now closed on the western flank of Lake Walla Walla off the Old mail road and Walla Walla Circuit track . Entry into these closed areas could result in significant/major fines. These Roads will be closed for the foreseeable future, Visitation of the eastern side of the Lake is still permitted.Attachments: Lake Walla Walla Road Closure Map (56KB)
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Notices Affecting Multiple Sites
Road Closures due to flooding - Eastern Entry Point, Lindsay Island, Murray-Sunset NP.
Due to high river levels the eastern entrance point onto Lindsay Island within the Murray-Sunset NP is now closed.
Access onto Lindsay Island remains open from the western entry point via the Army Bridge (Lock 7 road), although caution is advised.Caution is also advised in low lying areas and water crossings throughout the park. High clearance four wheel drives recommended. -
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.
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