Explore
Murray - Sunset National Park
Murray-Sunset National Park is home to the famous Pink Lakes. This remote and unspoilt corner of northwestern Victoria draws photographers from all over the world. Explore the islands of the Murray River by four-wheel drive in dry weather or by canoe after rain and camp under starry skies.
The park is well-named. Enjoy some of the finest sunsets in the world plus see the unique and world-famous Pink Lakes. Enjoy walks and camping nearby.
Salt mine relics and mounds of salt have lain abandoned on the edges of the Pink Lakes since operation ceased in 1979. Follow the interpretive signs to learn about the area's salt harvesting industry. Follow Pioneer Drive and take in the best of the Pink Lakes, from Lake Crosbie to Lake Kenyon and Lake Becking.
Murray-Sunset National Park is home to spectacular birdlife. Keep an eye out for the Malleefowl, Regent Parrot, Red-lored Whistler and Mallee Emu-Wren, which are all native to the area. Go canoeing, boating and fishing in the floodplains around Walpolla, Lindsay and Mulcra Island. This is an awesome place for wildlife. Spot goannas, emus, spotted bowerbird and colourful nectar-feeding birds.
Tours in the area
Bushwalking, four-wheel driving, horse riding, kayaking, rock climbing and mountain biking are just some of the many activities you can experience in Victoria's parks.
If you want to try something new or meet some like-minded people on your next visit to a park, contact a licensed tour operator.
Parks Victoria licenses tour operators who are experts in these activities and more. They will help you get the most out of your visit.
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How to get there
Murray - Sunset National Park
Murray-Sunset National Park is in northwest Victoria, between Ouyen and Mildura and the South Australian border. It is about 550kms from Melbourne and 400kms from Adelaide.
Access to the park from Melbourne is via the Calder Highway, and from South Australia via the Sturt Highway.
This large, diverse park was declared in 1991. It plays a unique role in protecting Australia’s biodiversity and contains four designated wilderness zones.
It is one of the last remaining semi-arid regions in the world where the environment remains relatively untouched.
When you're there
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
Murray - Sunset National Park
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.
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.
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
Park Closure - Conservation Program
Due to conservation programs parts of the Berribee area, including Lindsay River, will be closed from sunset to sunrise on week days from Monday 4 January to Friday 22 January 2021. These areas are open to the public during daylight hours and weekends. Closure signs will be in place on all main entry points to closed sections of the park.Closure - Conservation Program
Due to conservation programs Lindsay Island will be closed from Monday 11 January to Friday 22 January 2021. Alternative camping is available nearby at Mulcra Island or Higgins Cutting. -
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. -
Notices Affecting Multiple Sites
Water over track on Dedmans Track, Wallpolla Island, Murray-Sunset NP
Caution! Environmental water is flowing into Wallpolla Creek across Dedmans Track near the park entrance on the Old Mail Route. The water at the crossing is approximately 10cm deep and should recede by the end of January 2021. Please proceed with caution, 2WD vehicles are not recommended.Environmental water has been flowing into Sandy Creek across Dedmans Track at the Lily Pond on Wallpolla Island within Murray-Sunset National Park. The water at the crossing is currently 30cm deep and will continue to slowly recede. It is NOT recommended to enter any floodwaters or attempt this water crossing. Alternate campsites are available at River Access's 1 to 7.Closure - Conservation Program
Due to park conservation programs parts of the Pink Lakes area, including Lake Crosbie, Lake Becking and Mt Crozier campgrounds, will be closed from sunset to sunrise from Monday 11 January to Friday 22 January 2021. These areas are open to the public during daylight hours and weekends. Closure signs will be in place on all main entry points to closed sections of the park.Park Closure - Conservation Program
Due to park conservation programs parts of the Taparoo area, including the Shearers Quarters campground, will be closed from sunset to sunrise from Monday 18 January to Friday 22 January 2021. These areas are open to the public during daylight hours. Closure signs will be in place on all main entry points to closed sections of the park.Blue-Green Algae Alert
A red alert level for Blue-green algae has been issued for the Murray River from Red Cliffs to Mildura. A red alert level warning remains in place for Wentworth. Visitors to the Murray River Reserve between these locations, Kings Billabong Park and Murray-Sunset NP - Wallpolla Island should avoid contact with the water. People should not undertake recreational activities where they may be coming into direct contact with the water. Contact with the water may also pose a threat to pets.People are advised not to enter the water, not to drink untreated water or use the water for other domestic purposes, including cooking and showering/bathing in untreated water while a red alert level warning is in place. Boiling the water will not remove algal toxins.People should not eat mussels or crayfish from red alert warning areas. Any fish caught should be cleaned and washed thoroughly in uncontaminated water and any internal organs disposed of before consumption.Blue-green algae usually appear as green paint-like scums on the water, near the edges, or as greenish clumps throughout the water. It makes the water appear dirty, green or discoloured and generally has a strong musty or earthy odour.Blue-green algae occur naturally and can reproduce quickly in favourable conditions where there is still or slow-flowing water, abundant sunlight and sufficient levels of nutrients.It is not possible to predict how long the algae will remain at high levels. Regular monitoring will continue, and the alert will be lifted as soon as the high levels of algae dissipate.People who believe they may have been affected by blue-green algae are advised to seek medical advice.Blue-Green Algae Alert
A red alert level for Blue-green algae has been issued for the Murray River from Red Cliffs to Mildura. A red alert level warning remains in place for Wentworth. Visitors to the Murray River Reserve between these locations, Kings Billabong Park and Murray-Sunset NP - Wallpolla Island should avoid contact with the water. People should not undertake recreational activities where they may be coming into direct contact with the water. Contact with the water may also pose a threat to pets.People are advised not to enter the water, not to drink untreated water or use the water for other domestic purposes, including cooking and showering/bathing in untreated water while a red alert level warning is in place. Boiling the water will not remove algal toxins.People should not eat mussels or crayfish from red alert warning areas. Any fish caught should be cleaned and washed thoroughly in uncontaminated water and any internal organs disposed of before consumption.Blue-green algae usually appear as green paint-like scums on the water, near the edges, or as greenish clumps throughout the water. It makes the water appear dirty, green or discoloured and generally has a strong musty or earthy odour.Blue-green algae occur naturally and can reproduce quickly in favourable conditions where there is still or slow-flowing water, abundant sunlight and sufficient levels of nutrients.It is not possible to predict how long the algae will remain at high levels. Regular monitoring will continue, and the alert will be lifted as soon as the high levels of algae dissipate.People who believe they may have been affected by blue-green algae are advised to seek medical advice.
How we keep it special
The Management Plan for Mallee Parks, including Murray-Sunset National Park, directs all aspects of management in the park until the plan is reviewed.
The River Red Gum Parks Management Plan outlines the management of more than 100 parks and reserves covering more than 215000 ha along the Murray, Goulburn and Ovens river corridors between Wodonga and the South Australian border. This includes part of Murray-Sunset National Park, including Toupnein Creek and Lake Walla Walla reference areas.
Pink Lakes - Lake Hardy and Lake Crosbie
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. Commercial salt harvesting began in the Pink Lakes area in 1916, using shovels and wheel-barrows. For more than twenty years camel teams transported the salt away from the area. Today old salt stock piles and machinery used in harvesting can be seen on the edge of Lake Crosbie.
Pink Lakes are 60kms west of Ouyen along the Mallee Highway. Turn onto an all-weather gravel road for 13kms to the main camping areas at Lake Crosbie. Access further north into the park is recommended for four wheel drive only. Access is also possible by two wheel drive vehicles along a gravel road from Linga.
For those with limited time, a drive around the Pioneer Drive (Pink Lakes) is recommended. Otherwise take a four wheel drive trip to the Mount Crozier Lookout or old Mopoke Hut outstation.
It is important to check current road conditions with park staff before visiting. Some tracks become impassable in wet weather and others are recommended only for four wheel drive. Ensure you carry adequate water, food and fuel when four wheel driving.
The wildflower display during spring can be impressive. On a warm afternoon you may see Rainbow Bee-eaters chasing flying insects or Mallee and Bearded Dragons scurrying to the cover of a Triodia (Porcupine Grass) clump.
