Lower Glenelg National Park Visitor Guide

Lower Glenelg National Park

Visitor Guide

Enjoy incredibly beautiful riverside camping while walking, fishing, canoeing or exploring by 4wd. This breathtaking area features 50m high limestone cliffs stretching 15km along the Glenelg River Gorge and tranquil Glenelg River Estuary. The iconic Great South West Walk links Portland and Nelson as it passes through stunning local national, state, coastal parks.

Getting there The park is in south-west Victoria adjoining the South Australia Camping and picnics border – about 420km from Melbourne and 490km from Adelaide. All Camping and Picnic areas have table/toilets/fireplaces. All There is good access to most points by vehicle or on foot. campers need to pre-book and fees apply. To book national park campsites go to www.parks.vic.gov.au Caring for Country Nine drive-in riverside camping areas. ‘Ngatanwarr wartee pa kakay teen Gunditjmara mirring; Welcome brothers and sisters to Gunditjmara Country. Seven canoe-only camping areas. We are happy and proud to share this special place with you and ask Five hiker-only Great South West Walk camping that you take the time to look, listen and feel the Country. We ask areas. All within one day’s walk of each other. visitors to experience and respect this Country – it holds our spirit Princess Margaret Rose Cave camping area and cabins. and stories from our past, present and future’ – Gunditjmara Elders. Call them direct to book on (08) 8738 4171. Things to see and do National Park Camp & Car Canoe GSW Walk Picnic Picnic Areas (see map) Camp Camp Camp Area Princess Margaret Rose Cave and camping complex Visitor sites Princess Margaret Rose Cave is an underground wonderland set in natural bush surrounds on the clifftops of Glenelg River and Lower Pines Landing  Glenelg National Park. Moleside    Arguably the most decorated cave per square metre in Australia, the Saunders Landing  Cave is 30 minutes from Mount Gambier or 15 minutes from Nelson. Wild Dog Bend  Come on a cave tour and wonder at nature’s gifts. See stalactites, stalagmites, helictites, rim stone pools, cave coral and many other Pritchards  amazing formations on a 45-minute guided tour with a professional Skipworth Springs  interpretive officer. Georges Rest  Booking is essential for Cave Tours and to camp or stay in on-site Battersbys   cabins or at the campground. Call (08) 8738 4171 Red Gum Landing  Email: [email protected] Forest Camp North  Walking – great opportunities Forest Camp South  Great South West Walk Wilson Hall  250km long-distance circuit walk Sapling Creek  www.greatsouthwestwalk.com Bowds  A map detailing the entire walk and its options is available from Visitor Information Centres at Portland and Nelson. McLennans Punt  The Great South West Walk (GSWW) is an internationally acclaimed Pattersons   walk starting and ending at Portland. The 250km route passes Hutchessons  through forest, heathlands, coastal cliffs and beaches of the family Sandy Waterholes  of parks found in this area. Lasletts  The GSWW takes in Cobboboonee National Park (NP), Lower Glenelg NP, Discovery Bay Coastal Park, Mt Richmond NP and Cape Simsons  Nelson State Park and includes the stunning Glenelg River Gorge and Glenelg Estuary*  the wild, spectacular wind-swept coast of Discovery Bay. Ocean Beach* Choose from short and longer walks as well as the entire experience. Lake Mombeong*  

*Discovery Bay Coastal Park

Parks Victoria Phone 13 1963 www.parks.vic.gov.au

Four-wheel driving, trail and cycling Move to the right side of the river when you meet another craft, Sealed, gravel and sandy roads provide two-wheel drive access to unless you are heading upstream within the transit channels. many areas and attractions within the park. Short walks lead to Remember to keep to the right side of the transit channel. views at many locations along the Glenelg River. Bicycles, including Transit channels are 15m wide and extend along one bank of the mountain bikes, are not permitted on walking tracks including the river for the entire length of the water skiing/power boating zone. Great South West Walk. Sandy tracks may need 4WD in summer. Yellow buoys mark the entry and exit of the ski zone transit channel. River cruise Houseboats are prohibited in the Victorian section of the river unless exempted by a permit. Relax by taking a river cruise from Nelson up to Princess Margaret Rose Cave and discover the beauty of the river gorge along the way. Night operators must ensure navigation lights are working. Appropriate safety equipment must be carried and/or worn. River estuary and ocean beach Do not obstruct other river users, either on the water or at the A short walk to the ocean beach begins at the Ocean Beach Carpark. launching ramps. The Glenelg River Estuary is home to many native and migratory bird Do not enter Mud Lake (near the river mouth). This is an important species as well as an abundance of fish species making it a great wildlife refuge area. place to go bird watching, fishing, paddling and canoeing. Beware of floating logs and snags along the upper reaches of the Boat ramps are available to launch small boats, canoes and kayaks. river. This may limit the use of power boats between the northern Swimming and surfing boundary of the park and Dartmoor. Visit www.watersafety.vic.gov.au for more information. Boating safety Swimming is very popular in the river and at beaches along the  Do not mix alcohol and boating coastline, however many beaches and inland rivers are exposed to  Know the boating regulations for the river hidden dangers such as currents, rips, reefs and submerged objects,  Watch out for boats, canoes and other hazards debris, flooding and currents. Always swim with care and company.  Do not overload the boat  Ensure that you are carrying or wearing the appropriate safety Parks Victoria recommends swimming only at beaches patrolled by equipment. Refer to the State Boating Council Victorian Boating lifesaving services. Discovery Bay Coastal Park does not have Guide for details. lifesaver patrolled beaches. Red and yellow flags are displayed when beaches are patrolled by lifesavers. Canoeing safety Fishing Know your groups abilities and plan stages accordingly - choose sensible daily distances The coastline, streams and rivers in the area provide opportunities for keen anglers. The Glenelg River is popular with anglers and most  Do not mix alcohol and canoeing visitor areas have jetties. Fishing is not permitted in marine national  Do not canoe alone parks and sanctuaries. Check separate marine visitor guides for  Do not overload your canoe activity/boundary limits. Adults generally require a Victorian  Know the boating regulations for the river Recreational Fishing Licence, available from the Victorian Fisheries  Ensure that participants can swim, and are wearing life jackets Authority at www.vfa.vic.gov.au or your local fishing gear outlet.  If you do capsize, pull the canoe into the bank.

Horse riding Canoes must use the transit channels when passing through the A wide range of roads and tracks are available for horse riding in the water skiing/ power boating zones. nearby Cobboboonee National Park and the nearby, but separate Cobboboonee Forest Park. For information on horse riding and for Be prepared and stay safe seasonal road closures in the area’s parks visit www.parks.vic.gov.au Lower Glenelg National Park (and the nearby Discovery Bay Coastal Park) are in the South West fire district. Bushfire and severe weather Dogs in the national park safety is a personal responsibility. Dogs are not permitted in Lower Glenelg National Park but are Anyone entering parks and forests during the bushfire season or permitted nearby in Cobboboonee Forest Park. Different land severe weather such as strong winds needs to stay aware of forecast managers on the coast have different dog regulations. Be sure to weather conditions. check signage whenever visiting other beaches and parks. Check the Fire Danger Rating and for days of Total Fire Ban at For your boating safety while on the river www.emergency.vic.gov.au, on the VicEmergency smartphone app Power boats must observe the speed limit signs marked in knots. or call the VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226. These are as follows: No fires may be lit on Total Fire Ban days. However, gas stoves may 8 knots – generally applies from the river mouth to the upstream be used under certain conditions for food preparation. Be aware end of Sandy Waterholes water skiing/power boating zone, except that strong winds can occur anytime, which can be hazardous with in the two ‘water skiing/power boating zones’ and during the hours falling timbers on walking tracks. set aside for water skiing and power boating. On Code Red Fire Danger Rating days and days of severe 10 knots -from the upstream end of the Sandy Waterholes water weather this park will be closed for public safety. Closure signs skiing/power boating zone to Wild Dog Bend. will be erected but do not expect an official warning. 5 knots - from Wild Dog Bend to downstream of Crawford River at Check the latest conditions at www.parks.vic.gov.au or by calling Dartmoor. 13 1963 during business hours Monday to Friday. Check your Boating Regulation Guide for specific rules and For emergency assistance call Triple Zero (000). If there is a green regulations applying while operating a power boat on this river. emergency marker sign near you, read the information on the marker to the operator. Updated v5 Sept 2019

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www.parks.vic.gov.au Disclaimer: Parks Victoria does not guarantee that this data is without ﬂaw of any kind and therefore disclaims all liability which 0 5 Kilometres may arise from you relying on this information. Cartography by Parks Victoria August 2019 For mobile App search for Avenza PDF Maps Lower Glenelg National Park

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