38 | AG Outdoor
September-May
http://www.visitvictoria.com/
Regions/Gippsland http://www.
parksweb.vic.gov.auHiking: Croajingalong National Park
Croajingalong
National ParkT
HE WILDERNESS COAST Walk, hugging the
north-east coastline of Victoria, is one of Aus-
tralia’s premier multiday coastal tracks, taking
walkers from Croajingalong National Park’s east-
ern point of Sydenham Inlet to – if you venture into NSW- Wonboyn, in the Nadgee Nature Reserve. For those keen
to stick to the Victorian side, your finish point is either the
coastal village of Mallacoota, where you can further indulge
in paddling, swimming or fishing, or you could camp for
your last night next to the freshwater-filled Lake Barracoota,
a small campsite around four hours north of Mallacoota.
We’d opt to finish at Mallacoota only because it is easier
logistically; the campsite at Lake Barracoota is walk-access
only, and you would then have to loop inland and join some
4WD tracks back to the shores of Lake Mallacoota to catch
a boat back to town.
The hike is magic, passing as it does through a section of
coastline that is one of the best examples of an intertidal sand
dune system (the result of often-powerful offshore winds).
The walk is intermediate-advanced in terms of grading, with
multiday, self-sufficient hiking experience a must – and
be prepared to get your boots wet at some tidal crossings
(check tide charts beforehand) and often full of sand. The
rewards are many however, with the numerous campsites
dotted along the coast all offering sublime views of the roar-
ing Pacific Ocean. Other highlights include the coastal cliffs
between Sandpatch Point and Shipwreck Creek, sea caves,
the contrast between the sandy landscape and the coastal
heathlands, and the historical Point Hicks Light Station.
There is a booking system now in place for the Wilderness
Coast Walk (groups larger than eight are not permitted) but
it is easy to obtain permits by going to http://www.parks.vic.gov.au/
stay or ringing Parks Victoria on 13 19 63. You should also
have all the topo maps, tide charts, take an EPIRB (there’s
no mobile reception) and have done a proper weather check
beforehand as this part of the east coast can cop a hammer-
ing in wild weather. It’s a remote adventure, with parts of
the track likely to be overgrown or hard to follow, and no
signposts, so make sure you’re confident in your navigational
skills. The weather is also volatile, no matter the season,
so pack appropriately. Water is also a scarcity at different
times during the year, so ensure you have plenty of water
in your packs and, again, check with Parks Victoria as to
the current water availability before your walk – and take a
water filtration system.
The walk offers the chance to experience one of the still-
wild parts of this country; the national park’s biodiversity
(there are more than 1000 native plant species, 306 bird
species and 52 mammal species found in the park) and the
rich indigenous history (you will spot shell middens through-
out your journey) means you should take your time. The
campsites are perfectly spaced out to ensure there’s no need
to rush. These sites are basic (there are only a few toilets
along the way) so make sure you adhere to Leave No Trace
practices when it comes to human waste and food scraps.
There are some vehicular access points along the walk
to different campsites so if you cannot spare a lot of time
you can still enjoy this beautiful part of Australia. We’d
definitely recommend a night or two at these sites with
the family as it’s a brilliant way to introduce young’uns to
this often-overlooked but truly spectacular part of Victoria.