Cape Conran Coastal Park
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Cape Conran Coastal Park Visitor Guide, Wilderness Retreats and Camping t Cape Conran Coastal Park offers a variety of opportunities for walkers. Many shorter walks can be taken around the Cape itself or there are longer walks for the more adventurous. There are kilometres of white sandy beaches to ramble along. The park is 11,000 hectares in size, o encompassing Point Ricardo in the west and Sydenham Inlet to the east. Location and access Dock Inlet Cape Conran Coastal Park in Far East Gippsland (14 km, 5 - 6 hours return from the n is located approximately 420 km east of Yeerung River) Melbourne and 530 km south of Sydney. Soak up the serenity of Dock Inlet, a unique land Cape Conran can be reached via the Princes locked expanse of fresh water isolated from the Highway by turning off at Cabbage Tree Creek or coast by a coastal dune barrier. The inlet is fed by k via Orbost and Marlo to the west. The eastern the east and west branches of Dock Creek from a pristine catchment. The shallow tannin coloured section of the park can be reached by turning off the highway east of Cabbage Tree Creek to waters support a diverse range of waterfowl. r Bemm River. Keep an eye out for White-bellied Sea Eagles that are often seen in the area. Follow the posts set in Abundant beach walks the dunes from the beach or signs on the Some of the more popular beach walks are Powerline Track. This walk can also be a return around Cape Conran itself. The day visitor areas walk via the Powerline Track and the Yeerung a on the eas st and west sides of the Cape provide River. easy access to the beach. From West Cape beach you can stroll up to Yeerung River and Estuary Conran Creek or keep going the seven kilometres Estuary View Trail to Point Ricardo which takes approximately three p e (1.5 km, 1 hour return) hours one way. Along the East Cape you can walk Experience the rich diversity of flora and fauna up the beach to the Yeerung River which takes which is found in the lower reaches of the approximately one and a half hours one way. Yeerung River. A different perspective to the river From here you can keep walking to Dock Inlet or is especially noticeable at sunset and sunrise Pearl Point. when the birds are at their most active and the water is often calm and reflections clear. The track also allows access to the coastline east of the river when the entrance is breached. Yeerung Gorge - a jewel on the Cape (0.6 km, 20 mins one way from East Yeerung Track Carpark) Pearl Point This surprising landform harbours some unusual (25 km return) vegetation associations and contains several deep The walk from East Cape to Pearl Point is dark rock pools fed by the babbling East Yeerung recommended only for the more energetic. This River. You can reach the gorge, which is deeply can be a difficult walk due to the soft beach sand. incised into the coastal plain, by crossing the Pearl Point features spectacular sedimentary rock Yeerung Bridge and taking the Powerline Track formations, rolling sand dunes and an abundance and the East Yeerung Track to the carpark. of seabirds and sea life. It is also a popular spot for surf fishing. For more information call the Parks Victoria Information Centre on 13 1963 or visit our website at www.parks.vic.gov.au For further information Heathland Walk Wilderness retreats Parks Victoria (1 km, 1 - 1.5 hours return) Parks Victoria wilderness retreats are low impact Information Centre The Heathland Walk starts near the Activities and “touch the earth lightly” as they sit on an Call 13 1963 Centre opposite the office on the west side of the innovative steel frame that does not require or visit our website at camp road. concrete footings. They are completely www.parks.vic.gov.au weatherproof and include a covered hardwood Park Office A walk through the heathland can be full of timber deck and a lockable canvas door. 171 Nicholson Street surprises. Many birds feed on the nectar rich Orbost Vic 3888 plants and occasionally the threatened Ground Wilderness retreats are set up for couples but can Ph 13 1963 Parrot (Pezoporus wallicus wallicus) may be comfortably sleep up to four people. Each Cape Conran Managers sighted. Whilst in flower the striking spikes of contains a queen size bed, two bedside tables, a Cape Conran Road Grass Trees provide a post for the rosellas to feed blanket box, towel rail, a table and chairs, a single PO Box 18 Marlo Vic 3888 from. Lizards and large Lace Monitor’s, (known as futon chair that converts to a single bed, a single Ph (03) 5154 8438 Goannas) are common around Cape Conran. trundle bed under the queen size bed and a small www.conran.net.au fridge. Toilet and shower facilities are close by. Snowy River East Cape Boardwalk Visitor Information Centre (0.6 km, 1 - 1.5 hours return) A well equipped communal kitchen (also a tent) includes stainless steel bench tops, a gas hot Slab Hut Cape Conran is rich in our cultural heritage, both 39 Nicholson Street Indigenous and post European. The East Cape plate, a fridge, microwave, toaster and tea and Orbost Vic 3888 coffee making facilities. All linen and towels are Boardwalk was a joint project of the then National Ph (03) 5154 2424 provided, as is crockery, cutlery and cooking Parks Service and the Moogji Aboriginal Council or Freecall 1800 637 060 utensils. in Orbost. The boardwalk rounds the East Cape to Caring for the Cowrie Bay. Along the way interpretive signs give Cabins environment you a glimpse of the uses Indigenous people Help us look after your park made of the many resources around the Cape. Each cabin is fully self-contained, including a by toilet, hot shower and outdoor barbeque. A following these guidelines: The boardwalk joins the Nature Trail and a communal laundry is nearby. You need to bring Stay on walking tracks to complete loop can be made back to the East pillows, sleeping gear and towels. Cape Day Visitor Area, or continue on to the West prevent erosion and Additional items you might like to take include damage to plants Cape and Salmon Rocks Beach. The Salmon folding chairs, sturdy shoes for walking, Rocks lookout is part of the Batuluk Cultural Trail All native plants, animals, binoculars, wet weather gear (even in summer), cultural and historic features and has information on Indigenous midden sites. fishing gear (surf and estuary) and insect are protected Nature Trail repellent. Your rubbish is your (1.5 kms, 1.5 - 2 hours return via boardwalk) responsibility - “carry out what During peak holiday periods, a ballot system is you carry in” The Cape Conran Nature Trail begins in the East used to allocate cabins and campsites at Cape Cape Day Visitor Area and continues across the Firearms are not permitted Conran. Contact the Manager’s office for further Cape to the western side. The Nature Trail information - phone (03) 5154 8438. Fires may only be lit in provides insight into the special nature of the designated fireplaces. No coastal environment. From Joiners Channel and Group accommodation fires including gas and fuel The cabin complex is ideal for schools and other stoves may be lit Total Fire the boat ramp there are trails around to Salmon Ban days Rocks Beach. groups. In addition to the cabins, Olive-berry Lodge caters for groups with its fully equipped This park is in the East Beware Reef Marine Sanctuary kitchen, tables with bench seating and sleeping Gippsland Total Fire Ban Marine National Parks and Marine Sanctuaries District quarters (17 beds). are areas of the sea established to protect a Please do not handle or feed sample of Victoria’s marine plants and animals, Camping facilities wildlife as it fosters and their habitats. Cape Conran has relaxed bush camping among dependence and may cause mahogany gums in a banksia woodland. disease Beware Reef, located approximately 5km offshore Respect traffic speed limits from Cape Conran is a Marine Sanctuary of 200 Fireplaces, picnic shelter, bush showers and and No Parking signs hectares. The sanctuary is known for its septic toilets are provided in the Banksia Bluff Please remember that all representation of reef environments in Victoria camp area. Borewater is available, but is not visitors have a right and its values for underwater recreation. recommended for drinking. The nearest food to peaceful relaxation supplies are at Marlo. Gas, wood, ice and a public Abundant wildlife phone is available from the Manager’s office. Healthy Parks Healthy People Many plants and animals are found at Cape Visiting a park can improve Conran. There are interpretive panels at the your health, mind, body and Activities Centre at Cape Conran that explain soul. So, with over four million some of the history of the area as well as the flora August 2012 hectares of parkland available Printed on Australian-made 100% recycled paper to Victorians, why not escape and fauna that can be found around the Cape. to a park today! During May to October whales may be sighted off the coast and dolphins are often seen surfing the waves Cabbage Tree Creek to Orbost 23 kms Residence & office Hideaway Cabin A Fire access N only Banksia Bluff Camping Area East Cape Beach Sailors Sunset Grave Peak Botany Bowl r East Cape to Cabbage C Tree Palms 7 kms East Cape Boardwalk Salmon Rocks Cowrie Bay West Cape CAPE CONRA N DE TAIL Joiners Channel Navigation light Cape Conran Yeerung Gorge D A O R E E The Powerline Track R T between East Yeerung Track and Pearl Point has been closed to vehicles to protect the environment.