Merlo Lookout Day Visitor Area (Lake Eildon National Park)

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Merlo Lookout Day Visitor Area (Lake Eildon National Park)

A stop at Merlo's Lookout is a must! Look out on to the turquoise waters of Wallaby Bay and check out the protruding tip of a homestead that now sits at the bottom of the bay – visible only when water levels are low.

Visitor Tips: Ensure your car is locked and your valuables are out of sight before walking up to Blowhard Spur.

How to get there

Merlo Lookout Day Visitor Area (Lake Eildon National Park)

Need to know

Merlo Lookout Day Visitor Area (Lake Eildon National Park)

Safety in nature

You can benefit both mind and body when you get outdoors to explore and experience Victoria's natural places. Before you go, take a look at our safety tips and check our changed conditions and closures information for a great visit.

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. Parks Victoria provides a range of a equipment, including all-terrain and beach wheelchairs, facilities, accommodation and accessibility information and programs to help you plan and enjoy your visit to Victoria's parks.

Assistance dogs are welcome in Parks Victoria parks and reserves. Entry requirements apply for parks and reserves that are usually dog prohibited, such as national parks.

Warnings & Restrictions

Dogs

Dogs are not allowed

Restrictions

No camping
No firearms allowed
No generators
No dogs allowed
No fires permitted
No horses

Warnings

Animals and pests
Snakes
Other warnings
Vehicles

Limbs may fall take care

Be Prepared

Stay safe and get the most out of your park visit by preparing for natural hazards and other outdoor risks in Victoria’s parks. You are responsible for your own safety and the safety of those in your care. Find out more.

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.

Candlebark Boat Ramp Closed

Candlebark Boat ramp is now closed due to dropping lake levels.

Due to the lake level dropping below 62%, the Candlebark Boat Ramp in the Fraser Visitor Area of Lake Eildon National Park is no longer operational.

Please use the Main Ramp located off Lakeside Road.

Gap Track - Closed between Pinnacle Track and O’Toole Creek

What?

Gap Track, between Pinnacle Track and O’Toole Creek, is closed.

There is no vehicle access to Gap Track directly from Eildon Jaimeson Road. By vehicle, Gap Track must be accessed from Pinnacle Track (when seasonally open), Jerusalem Creek Track, and Simms Track only.
By vehicle, the shortest way back to the bitumen from this location is via the Simms Track connector to Eildon Jamieson Road.

Why?

This is to protect O'Toole Creek from damage by vehicles fording the creek, as the bridge over O'Toole Creek has failed. O'Toole Creek flows directly into White Creek which is home to the critically endangered Spotted Tree Frog. Spotted Tree Frogs are threatened by loss of vegetation on creek banks, and by sediment in waterways.

When will it be re-opened?

Gap Track, between Pinnacle Track and O’Toole Creek, will be re-opened when a bridge or protected creek crossing are installed. There is no timeframe for this replacement.

What about O’Toole Flat Camping Area

This small camping area has been re-opened. It is accessible by vehicle from Eildon Jamieson Road only, and is designed for self-sufficient visitors. It is recommended for 4WDs with small camping set-ups; long vehicles and towing vehicles are not recommended.

Candlebark, Devil Cove, & Lakeside Campgrounds: Booking releases are limited; No drinking water or campground taps provided

Bookings

· Bookings at Candlebark and Lakeside will be available from 1 July - 31 August 2025 as usual.

· Bookings at Candlebark and Lakeside will be available from 1 – 31 September 2025, subject to change at short notice depending on campground construction requirements.

· Bookings at Candlebark and Lakeside (and Devil Cove during peak holiday periods) from 1 October 2025 onwards have been limited until campground construction timetables can be determined. To stay up to date on availability, please continue to monitor this page and consider subscribing to the Lake Eildon National Park Project Page

Tap Water

Drinking water taps and campground taps are not provided at Candlebark Campground, Devil Cove Campground, or Lakeside Campground as of November 2024. Other facilities at these campgrounds remain the same as prior November 2024.

Why have bookings and tap water changed?

We are updating the water and wastewater infrastructure at the Candlebark, Devil Cove and Lakeside campgrounds to meet current environmental standards, so that visitors can continue to enjoy camping at Lake Eildon National Park for years to come. Construction of new toilet facilities is proposed to take place at Lakeside, Candlebark and Devil Cove Campgrounds during the second half of 2025.

For information about the project, please visit the Lake Eildon National Park Campground updates project page. You can also reach out to the team by emailing info@parks.vic.gov.au or calling us on 13 1963.