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Wingan Inlet Campground
Nestled on the western shores of Wingan Inlet, among tall Bloodwood trees, Wingan Inlet Campground offers a peaceful camping experience in one of the most secluded corners of Victoria. Jump in a canoe or kayak, or follow Fly Cove Walk to access the pristine sandy beaches of Croajingolong National Park.
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Wingan Inlet is one of Victoria's quaint escapes, nestled on the western-edge of the Sandpatch Wilderness Zone. The secluded campsites hide among tall Bloodwood trees not too far from the shores of Wingan Inlet.
Come prepared with a canoe or kayak and explore the Wingan River. Upstream, the river follows a winding course through sea rushes and paperback thickets to a towering littoral rainforest and the stunning Wingan River Rapids. Crystal clear water trickles through lichen-covered granite boulders and curious water dragons peer out from behind colourful wildflowers. Downstream, the river leads to the mouth of the inlet where sandbars give way to the wild ocean swells of Fly Cove.
A small network of rocky islands just off the white sands of Fly Cove are home to a colony of Australian and New Zealand Fur Seals. Listen carefully and you might be lucky enough to hear pups calling for their mothers.
Along with the Wingan River Rapids, Fly Cove can be accessed by foot from the camsites. Follow the Fly Cove Walk. The beginning of the Wingan Rapids walk begins from Boundary Track, a short drive from the campsites.
If you're a keen angler, try your luck fishing and you might just catch dinner. Tailor, bream, perch and salmon are some of the species found in the inlet. If you're fishing from a boat, please note that Wingan Inlet has a 20 hp motor size limit.
Come prepared with a canoe or kayak and explore the Wingan River. Upstream, the river follows a winding course through sea rushes and paperback thickets to a towering littoral rainforest and the stunning Wingan River Rapids. Crystal clear water trickles through lichen-covered granite boulders and curious water dragons peer out from behind colourful wildflowers. Downstream, the river leads to the mouth of the inlet where sandbars give way to the wild ocean swells of Fly Cove.
A small network of rocky islands just off the white sands of Fly Cove are home to a colony of Australian and New Zealand Fur Seals. Listen carefully and you might be lucky enough to hear pups calling for their mothers.
Along with the Wingan River Rapids, Fly Cove can be accessed by foot from the camsites. Follow the Fly Cove Walk. The beginning of the Wingan Rapids walk begins from Boundary Track, a short drive from the campsites.
If you're a keen angler, try your luck fishing and you might just catch dinner. Tailor, bream, perch and salmon are some of the species found in the inlet. If you're fishing from a boat, please note that Wingan Inlet has a 20 hp motor size limit.
Things To Do
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.
Elusive Lake
Elusive Lake is another great wander from Wingan Inlet. The unique dune-blocked lake stands out among the tall eucalypts that surround its sandy banks. Reaching a depth of 22 metres in some places, jump in for a refreshing swim before returning to camp.
Canoeing and Kayaking
Canoeing and kayaking are great ways to explore beautiful waterways. Enjoy the tranquility and spot wildlife that hikers don’t normally see.
How to get there
Wingan Inlet Campground
Wingan Inlet Campground is 6.5 hours drive east of Melbourne. Head along the Princes Highway and approximately 17km east of Cann River, turn down West Wingan Road. The campground is at the end of the unsealed road.
Sites
When you're there
The remote nature of Wingan Inlet Campground means that there is little or no mobile reception available. Download the Croajingolong National Park visitor guide to get the most your of your park visit.
When to go
Fishing at Wingan Inlet is best from December through to early May; however, it is one of the few locations in Victoria where fishing can be enjoyed year-round.
Flathead, whiting, yellowfin, bream and perch are most likely to bite from late spring to autumn. Throughout winter large schools of Black Bream make their way into the estuary. And tailor, salmon and trevally are also known to bite throughout June, July and August.
Flathead, whiting, yellowfin, bream and perch are most likely to bite from late spring to autumn. Throughout winter large schools of Black Bream make their way into the estuary. And tailor, salmon and trevally are also known to bite throughout June, July and August.
Need to know
Wingan Inlet Campground
Accessibility
Wingan Inlet contains a number of campsites that are relatively flat set in clear, open areas. But note that there's a lack of accessible toilets and the trails leading down to Fly Cove are narrow and steep in some sections.
Be prepared and stay safe
Croajingolong National Park is in the East Gippsland fire district. Bushfire safety is a personal responsibility. Anyone entering the park during the bushfire season needs to stay aware of forecast weather conditions. 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.
No fires may be lit on Total Fire Ban days. On Catastrophic Fire Danger Rating days this park will be closed for public safety. Closure signs will be erected but do not expect an official warning.
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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Croajingolong National Park
Goanna Bay Jetty Closed
Goanna Bay Jetty closureParks Victoria has recently closed the Goanna Bay Jetty (Mallacoota Inlet) for public safety reasons.The closure follows condition monitoring of the jetty that raised some concerns about its safety and structural integrity. A subsequent engineering assessment confirmed that the jetty’s condition was no longer safe for visitors.The jetty was closed on Friday 10th November and will remain so until further notice.Please note that the Goanna Bay day visitor area remains open to the public. However visitors will not be permitted to use the jetty during the closure period and will have to rely on alternative methods of safe access such as beaching or anchoring vessels to the shoreline.Croajingolong National Park information - last updated August 2023
Point Hicks Road is closed south of Bald Hills.The following six areas are closed because of the 2019/2020 bushfires and coastal erosion caused by ongoing heavy rainfall. Visitors are unable to access the Point Hicks Lighthouse, Thurra River Campground, and nearby walking tracks. Parks Victoria continue to maintain surveillance and security of these areas. Please continue to monitor this site for updates and change of conditions.· Point Hicks Lightstation· Thurra River Bridge· Thurra River Campground· Dunes Track· Saros Track· Sledge TrackThe Wilderness Coast Walk is open all the way from Bemm River to Mallacoota. Staff have recently marked sections of the track however, combined flood and fire damage have made some areas more difficult to negotiate. Hikers must be able to self-navigate with a map and compass.The following walking track is closed:· Wingan Inlet Rapids WalkThe following jetty around Mallacoota is closed:· Kingfish PointSeasonal road closures generally operate from after the long weekend in June through to the end of October, but many remain closed in areas affected by significant rainfall and flooding across Victoria in late 2022. The following tracks remain closed:· Swan Lake· Clinton Rocks Track· Cicada Trail· Gale Hill· Betka Track· Miners Track· Lakeview Track· Howe Flat Track· Howe Hill Track· Barracoota TrackThe water trough at Wingan Inlet Campground is now reconnected to the creek. Visitors are reminded that this is not a potable source and must be treated before drinking.Ongoing heavy rainfall has impacted areas of Croajingolong National Park and other areas of the state. Monitor this page for updated information and site closures. -
Notices Affecting Multiple Parks
Ground shooting operations targeting deer
Control operations (ground shooting) targeting deer are undertaken in this area. The Park will remain open to visitors during operations.