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VICTORIA Croajingolong National Park Croajingolong National Park, 87,500 hectares in size, extends for 100 kilometres along the wilderness coast of Victoria's East Gippsland, taking in remote beaches, tall forests, heathland, rainforest, estuaries and granite peaks. Things to Do The track network allows visitors to explore the park on short or long walks. Coastal hikers need to obtain a permit from Parks Victoria. Rivers and inlets offer the safest swimming, but beware of strong currents near entrance areas. Fishing is permitted in the park. A Recreational Fishing Licence is required for all Victorian waters. Some of Australia's best flat-water canoeing can be found on the rivers and inlets of the park. Facilities Camping Bookings are required for camping during peak periods and year-round fees apply. Enquiries and bookings for the Thurra and Mueller campgrounds should be made at the Point Hicks Lightstation office ph (03) 5158 4268. Apply to the Park Information Centre at Cann River, ph (03) 5158 6351, for Tamboon Inlet, Wingan Inlet, Shipwreck Creek and Peach Tree Camp. All food, and in some cases water, needs to be taken in. Access to camping areas is by rough gravel roads which may be closed to vehicles after heavy rain. Camping is not permitted around the Mallacoota Lakes. Remote campsites along the coast are provided for walkers on overnight hikes (permit required). Accommodation Commercial facilities and accommodation are available in the townships of Cann River, Bemm River, Genoa and Mallacoota. Point Hicks lighthouse also offers accommodation. Other facilities There are day visitor picnic facilities in most of the coastal camping areas and around Mallacoota Inlet. Some are accessible by boat only. Public boat launching ramps are at Mallacoota, Gipsy Point, Bemm River and Furnell Landing. Heritage Aborigines are thought to have lived in the area for 40,000 years. Descendants continue to live there and have links with the park. In 1770 Captain Cook's first sighting of Australia's east coast was at Point Hicks. Pastoralists had occupied most of the better land by the 1850s. In 1902 two parks were set aside around Mallacoota and Wingan Inlet. They have since been enlarged and merged into Croajingolong. Fauna Fifty-two mammal species have been recorded, 26 reptile species and 306 species of birds, representing about half of Victoria's and a third of Australia's total bird species. The abundance of possums, gliders and bats is attributed to the presence of hollow-bearing trees. Wetlands attract 40 species of migratory seabirds and waders while coastal heathlands and woodlands attract hawks, eagles and falcons. Six owl species live in the forests. Threatened species with a stronghold in the park include Ground Parrots, Eastern Bristlebird, Smokey Mouse, Grey-headed Flying Fox and Australian Fur Seal. Vegetation Stands of warm temperate rainforest and coastal heathland support many threatened plant species. Indeed, the park is one of the most significant conservation reserves in Victoria, and is one of the State's three Biosphere Reserves. Looking After the Park No dogs, cats or firearms. Be prepared to share jetties, picnic areas and firewood with other visitors. Do not dispose of waste material in pit toilets. Precautions Beware of strong currents near entrances to rivers and inlets. Ocean beaches may be subject to rips and currents. How to Get There Croajingolong National Park is in the far eastern corner of Victoria, about 450 kilometres east of Melbourne and 500 kilometres south of Sydney (Melway ref: 529 J5). Access roads lead from the Princes Highway or from Mallacoota. All roads in the park have gravel surfaces - check road conditions after heavy rain. Disability Information Accessibility Rating: 3 out of 6 Peachtree Creek Reserve (near Croajingalong National Park) A basic bush camping site. The unsealed surfaces of the tracks around the site are poor due to erosion. This problem is especially apparent on the vehicle access track leading up to the toilet facilities. There is no designated accessible toilet facility. Access to the water’s edge is poor, although it is only a short distance away. Shipwreck Creek The camping area and picnic facilities at Shipwreck Creek are reasonably accessible, being on flat ground and free of obstacles. The paths leading to the centrally located toilet are clear and accessible but the toilet lacks accessenhancing features. The track to the beach and the heathland is narrow and uneven, and often steep. Wingan Inlet Wingan Inlet has mostly flat and clear camp sites, but lacks an accessible toilet. The tracks leading to the beach are sloping and narrow. Nearby Parks Cape Conran Costal Park Coopbracambra National Park Errinundra National Park Gabo Island Activities Barbeque, Camping, Four Wheel Driving, Scenic Drives, Surfing, Swimming, Walking