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.
Meet our Ranger Damien, a proud Wiradjuri man who cares deeply for the lands upon which he works. Based in North West Victoria, but with a statewide remit, Damien is an expert in the identification and protection of aboriginal cultural heritage and a mentor to Parks Victoria staff across the state.
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 the all 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.
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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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. -
Murray - Sunset National Park
Limited River access due to flooding - MSNP, Lock - 9 through to SA border
High Murray River levels are continuing to inundate large areas of river frontage within the Murray-Sunset National Park between Lock 9 - South Australian border. Multiple road closures remains in place, caution is strongly advised for any flooded crossings and areas of inundation.Tree risk within these areas has also increased due to the wet and unstable soil, including slumping banks. Caution advised in the following areas. Lock - 9 downstream, through to Mulcra Island, Lindsay Island, Higgins Cutting. Areas within Neds Corner are also beingLindsay Island (Murray-Sunset National Park) Closure
Due to rising river levels within the Murray River and Lindsay River system, Lindsay Island has been closed to the public until further notice.This closure will be monitored throughout the coming weeks with projected river levels expected to continue rising. -
Notices Affecting Multiple Parks
Japanese encephalitis in northern Victoria
Japanese encephalitis in northern VictoriaJapanese encephalitis (JE) has recently been detected in Victoria, with increased risk in the northern and north-west of Victoria and along the Murray River. This virus is spread to humans through mosquito bites and may cause a rare and potentially life-threatening infection of the brain.For information about how to protect yourself and your loved ones from mosquito bites before you head outdoors, visit the Beat the Bite- Better Health Website or see our visitor safety tips.
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.
