Tarra-Bulga National Park

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Tarra-Bulga National Park

Tarra-Bulga National Park is one of the jointly managed parks within Gippsland. The Joint Management agreement recognises the fact that the Gunaikurnai people hold Aboriginal Title and maintain a strong connection to Country. As custodians of the land, they are the rightful people who speak for their Country. These parks and reserves are cultural landscapes that continue to be part of Gunaikurnai living culture. For more information on Joint Management, please visit the Gunaikurnai Traditional Owner Land Management Board and the Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation.

Tarra-Bulga National Park on Brataualung Country, is highly significant to Gunaikurnai Traditional Owners due to its remarkable Aboriginal cultural heritage.

Known for its giant Mountain Ash trees, beautiful fern gullies and ancient myrtle beeches, Tarra Bulga in South Gippsland has some of the best examples of original cool temperate rainforests of the Strzelecki Ranges. Walk to the impressive Corrigan’s Suspension Bridge, which stretches through the rainforest canopy, affording spectacular views of the lush fern gully on the forest floor below.

In 1903 the Alberton Shire Council (now Wellington Shire) asked the State Government to reserve an area of forest near Balook as a public park, describing it as having 'fern gullies unequalled in any part of Victoria'. Twenty hectares were reserved and given the name Bulga, meaning mountain.

Six years later, 140 hectares were reserved in the Tarra Valley, with this park being named after Charlie Tarra, an Aboriginal man who guided the explorer Strzelecki and his party through Gippsland in 1840.

Following recommendations by the Land Conservation Council, the two separate National Parks were joined, and an enlarged and re-named Tarra-Bulga National Park, declared in June 1986, now covers 2,014 hectares.

Things To Do

 
A waterfall in the Tarra Bulga National Park

Cultural Heritage Tarra-Bulga National Park

Tarra-Bulga sits in a significant part of the Gunaikurnai cultural landscape - on their creation storyline, where Borun travelled carrying his canoe from the mountains to the sea. There is still much work to be done to fully understand the cultural values within the park, but the significant remnants of old growth forest are characteristic of a period when only Gunaikurnai were present on the land.
A woman walks through a path at Tarra-Bulga National Park.

Walks in Tarra-Bulga National Park

Take a leisurely stroll along one of the many short to medium walking tracks in the park, enjoying the magnificent scenery of shady fern-lined creeks, luxuriant tree ferns, mountain ash and ancient myrtle beeches. Or for something a bit more challenging and further afield, hike the Grand Strzelecki Track.
Picnic area and carpark at Tarra Valley in Tarra Bulga National Park

Picnicking at Tarra-Bulga

Tarra-Bulga National Park is a delightful setting for a picnic. Three picnic areas are situated within the park: at the Visitor Information Centre, Tarra Valley and Bulga. The Visitor Centre picnic area provides picnic tables, electric barbecues, a picnic shelter and toilets with disabled access. Tarra Valley and Bulga picnic areas are set amongst the Giant Mountain Ash and shady fronds of tree ferns. Tables, toilets and picnic shelters are provided. Rubbish bins are not provided. Please take all your rubbish with you.
Moss covered rocks next to a stream in the Tarra Bulga National Park

Photography and birdwatching

Tarra-Bulga National Park is a wonderful place for photography - from giant Mountain Ash trees to tiny fungi and ferns, there are many beautiful subjects to study. With over 100 bird species, it is also a bird watchers paradise, particularly noted for Lyrebirds and the Pilot Birds that follow them around.

Tarra Bulga National Park

This area is well known for its wildlife. Keep an eye out for:

Lyrebirds
Platypus
Wombats
Wallabies
Echidnas
Crimson Rosella

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.

Find a Licensed Tour Operator

How to get there

Tarra-Bulga National Park

Tarra-Bulga National Park is situated approximately 190 kilometres east of Melbourne. Take the Princes Highway to Traralgon, then follow Traralgon Creek Road to Traralgon South and then Traralgon-Balook Road to Balook. The park can also be reached from Yarram via the Tarra Valley Road or Bulga Park Road. Roads throughout the area are narrow and winding but offer marvellous scenery with panoramic views from several points, including Mount Tassie. The Traralgon-Balook Road and the Tarra Valley Road are sealed - all other roads are dirt. 

Alternatively, for the more adventurous, the park is located on the Grand Ridge Road and can be approached along this iconic road from east, starting at Carrajung, or west, starting at Strzelecki on the Warragul - Korumburra Road and travelling through Mirboo North. Take care if using this road, as it is unsealed and frequented by logging trucks. 

When to go

Tarra-Bulga is always cool and beautiful, even on the hottest days, so it's a great place to escape the heat during summer.

Need to know

Tarra-Bulga National Park

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.

  • Tarra-Bulga National Park

    Tarra Valley Rainforest Walk & Wild Cherry Track are closed until further notice

    Due to recent weather conditions, Tarra Valley Rainforest Walk is currently closed until further notice due to bridge damage impacting access to the track. Tarra Valley Rainforest Walk & Wild Cherry Track are also impacted with fallen trees and limbs along the walks.

    The Tarra Valley Picnic Area is currently still open.

    Wills Track - restricted access

    Due to a landslip, access to Wills Track is currently restricted. For your safety, please adhere to all closure signage in the area.

    Bulga Parking Area - Closed

    The Bulga Parking Area is currently closed. Visitors can access parking for short walks, including tracks to Corrigans Suspension Bridge, at the Visitor Centre carpark.

    Advice to visitors – Forest Track

    Please be advised that recent weather events have resulted in fallen trees and limbs in along Forest Track. Operational staff will conduct safety assessments of track & road access as conditions permit.
     

    Advice to visitors – Diaper Track

    Please be advised that recent weather events have resulted in fallen trees and limbs in along Diaper Track. Operational staff will conduct safety assessments of track & road access as conditions permit.

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