There are so many National Parks in Gippsland it is hard to know where to start. From National Parks that have thick Australian bush to never-ending oceans, you can’t go wrong with a visit to any of the Gippsland National Parks. Many of these National Parks are popular with locals, day-trippers and international tourists who hire campervans in Australia for their trips.
Gippsland is broken up into four sections East, West, South and Central Gippsland. Gippsland’s natural features are diverse from rugged mountains to rolling plains, rainforests, deserted coastlines, alpine regions to thousand-year-old forests. The Gippsland region of Victoria in Australia is our home. The Gippsland Coast stretches from just east of Melbourne to the New South Wales border.
We have spent great times camping, bushwalking, fishing and going to the Gippsland beaches with our kids and enjoying some of the best Victorian National Parks that are right on our doorstep!
It’s a great place to raise a family with so many outdoor activities available to participate in. Being such a big area National Parks are plenty. Gippsland is home to over 15 Victorian National Parks. Here we talk about our 6 of the best Victorian National Parks in Gippsland.
Wilsons Promontory National Park
The Prom as it’s affectionately known to Victorians is one of the most popular National Parks in the state. The Prom encompasses the southernmost tip of Australia. The Prom is renowned for its spectacular scenery of native flora, rain forests, and huge granite peaks that rise from the landscape.
Popular activities at Wilsons Promontory
The waters around the prom are alive with a huge variety of marine life with everything from whales to seals. Whales pass the Prom each year on their migration routes. Fishing and camping are popular options for many visitors to the Prom.
Bushwalking is popular with many day treks and overnight walks possible. The trek to The Wilson Promontory Lighthouse is the most popular. The lighthouse sits on a rocky peninsula that stretches out into the wild waters of Bass Strait.
Wilsons Promontory Accommodation
Wilsons Prom accommodation consists of many self-contained campsites such as Yanakee, Shallow Inlet, Sandy Point and Tidal River for you to stay at.
If you can’t get Wilsons prom accommodation some of these will be the best places to stay near Wilsons Prom. If you are looking at camping at Wilsons prom you are best to get in quick as places fill up fast. Most of these parks are within a stone’s throw from the water and have access to some of the best Gippsland beaches.
Buchan Caves National Park
The Buchan Caves are located on the outskirts of the town they are named after, Buchan. The Buchan Caves reserve consists of a campground, camp kitchen, swimming pool, shop and a national park information centre. There are 2 caves available in the Buchan caves reserve for visitors to tour through.
Popular activities at the Buchan Caves National Park
The Royal Cave and the Fairy Cave are the caves located on the Buchan Caves Reserve. The caves were formed over many millenniums by underground rivers cutting through the limestone. The formation of the stalactites which are the feature of the caves is created by water seeping through the ground into the caves over millions of years.
Wildlife is aplenty in the reserve. If you camp at the Buchan Caves reserve you are likely to encounter kangaroo’s hopping around, koala’s in the tree’s and possums trying to raid your food supply at night! The pool at Buchan Caves is the coldest pool you will ever have the chance to swim in.
The water comes straight out of an underground cave. The pool is famous, you can ask anyone about Buchan Caves and sooner or later the conversation will get around to how cold the pool is. Bushwalking tracks are popular for short hikes.
Buchan Caves Accommodation
Gippsland National Parks – The Alpine National Park
The Alpine National Park is the largest of all the Victorian National Parks. This park joins up with national parks located in New South Wales and The Australian Capital Territory.
These joined parks across three states work to protect most of the Australian Alps. The Alpine National Park encompasses 10 of the 11 highest mountains in Victoria. The park is renowned for diverse mountain landscapes, wild rivers, untouched forests giant exposed escarpments on open plains.
By Giggy – Own work, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3169010
Popular activities at the Alpine National Park
A popular way to experience the park is to drive the renowned Great Alpine Road which winds itself through the highest altitude roads in the state offering uncompromising panoramic views of the Victorian Alps. Winter Ski resorts such as Mt Hotham, Dinner Plain fall in the Gippsland region of the park.
These resort towns offer downhill, cross country skiing and snowboarding for all skill levels. In the summer months, these small towns become a mecca for bushwalking, mountain biking and fly fishing enthusiasts.
The Alpine National Park accommodation
Cape Conron National Park
Cape Conron National Park is located in far East Gippsland near the township of Marlo. The Conron National Park is one of the most remote and wild sections of the Victorian coastline. Untouched and rugged are words that come to mind when describing this part of the coast.
Popular activities at the Conron National Park
The park features the self-guide Cape Conron nature trail for the hikers. Rock pooling, swimming and fishing are popular activities for day-trippers and campers in the park. Scuba diving and snorkelling are recommended at the west cape beach and salmon rocks.
This area is inhabited by seals and a wide variety of sea life that thrive in the bull kelp forests that reside under the water. Camping and bbq-ing are available at Cape Conron.
Cape Conron National Park accommodation
Mitchel River National Park
The Mitchel River National Park has impressive wilderness and river sceneries. The Mitchell River cuts its way through deep and remote gorges in this park. The river meanders through some of the unique flora and fauna in the state some of which is indigenous to this area only.
Popular activities at the Mitchell River National Park
The best way to see the Mitchell River National Park is via white water rafting where you can experience the tranquil water and demanding rapids that characterise the Mitchel River.
It’s recommended that only experienced rafters take the river on (tours are available for the novices). Numerous walking tracks are situated throughout the Mitchel River National Park that takes you through forests of wattle tree and moss-covered rain forests.
Fishing for trout in remote area’s of the river is popular. Hunters stalk deer during the season while campers enjoy the tranquillity of the area. The Den of Nargun can be visited which is associated with the home of a beast in Aboriginal culture.
Mitchell River National Park accommodation
There is no accommodation in the park except for camping sites. The nearest access points for accommodation would include Stratford and Bairnsadle.
Gippsland National Parks – Tarra Bulga National Park
Tarra Bulga is a jointly managed National Park in Gippsland. The land where the Tarra Bulga National Park is located was once the land of the native aboriginal Gunaikurnai people.
Parks Victoria and the Gunaikurnai people oversee the care and maintenance of the Tarra Bulga National Park which recognises that the Gunaikurnai are connected to the land and speak for the land. Many easy bush walks are available at the Tarra Bulga National Park to suit all fitness levels. We choose to walk to the magnificent Corrigan’s Bridge.
The walk to the bridge is slightly downhill through a canopy of mountain ash trees that are hundred’s of years old, with their huge trunks and ferns as high as double story houses.
Corrigan’s Bridge is an amazing sight as it comes into view seemingly floating in mid-air amongst the forest. The walk back out from Corrigan’s bridge takes you through Fern Gully where giant ferns surround you in all directions and small streams flow through valley floor seemingly emerging from nowhere.
Tarra Bulga has a visitors centre and a bbq and picnic ground for you to enjoy. You will come up close to the many birds that live in the Tarra Bulga National Park while having a picnic.
Tarra Bulga National Park accommodation
The Lakes National Park
The Lakes National Park is located on the east shore of the Gippsland Lakes. The park takes in the waters of Lake Victoria and Lake Reeve. The park includes Sperm Whale Head peninsula near Loch Sport and the islands of Rotamah and Little Rotamah]
Popular activities at The Lakes National Park
Camping, boating, fishing, bird watching and swimming and the most popular activities in the park You can see kanagroos roam ing freely at Sperm Whae Head.
The Lakes National Park accommodation
Camoing can be done at Emu Bight. Emu Bight is close to the shore of Lake Victoria. A communal shelter and toilets are provided onsite. For bookings and more information check the Parks Victoria website. You can stay in Loch Sport and choose to explore the Lakes National Park on a day trip
Croajingolong National Park
This area is a UNESCO world biosphere reserve. The Croajingolong features 100km of rugged and unspoilt coastline and covers 87,500 hectares. Thousand-year-old pristine eucalypt forest and rainforest combine to give you a glimpse of wilderness.
The area includes indigenous and endangered species in their native environment. Embrace the nature of beauty in the Croajingolong and its hinterland.
Popular activities at the Croajingolong National Park
Camping, beach walks and bird watching are a must in the park. Boating on the Mallocaoota lakes and visiting Point Hicks and Gabo Island lighthouse is interesting. This national park is home to more than 300 different types of birds and over 1000 native plant species.
Croajingolong National Park accommodation
Camping spots in the park can be booked through the Parks Victoria Website. If you’re looking for something a little more comfortable we recommend Blue Waters Holiday Cottages, Bastion Cottages and Gipsy Point Lodge.
The Snowy River National Park
The Snowy River National Park is located in the alpine and East Gippsland. The 98,700-hectare (244,000-acre) national park is situated approximately 390 kilometres (240 mi) northeast of Melbourne and 350 kilometres (220 mi) southwest of Canberra.
Popular activities at the Snowy River National Park
Snowy River National Park is known for its forests and rivers. We have all heard of “The man from Snowy River”. You will find deep gorges and amazing waterfalls. The park is popular for canoeing and rafting in wilderness area. You can camping, go bush walking, take in wildflowers, and seek adventure in your four-wheel drive.
The Snowy River National Park accommodation
You can stay in the major towns of Buchan and Orbost. If you want to camp you can check the Parks Victoria website for camping grounds.
Gippsland National Parks are plenty and out there waiting for you to explore on our next Travels in Gippsland. We hoped you enjoyed this article, you can find more of the best of Gippsland on our attractions page
Some more travel inspiration for your next holiday in Gippsland
About the Author
Mark has grown up and lived in the Gippsland area all his life. Being born and raised in Gippsland he knows a thing or 2 about this amazing region. When Mark is not working he is out exploring the best of Gippsland with his wife and kids