Cape Conran, Victoria: Walks, beaches and accommodation
On the East Gippsland coast, Cape Conran offers a simple, back-to-basics beach retreat. Camping and cabins are available for those exploring the Cape Conran beaches and walking trails.
Cape Conran, Victoria, is the sort of in-the-know beach escape that most overseas visitors crave but never find. In East Gippsland, between Marlo and Bemm River, Cape Conran is a quiet spot at the end of the Marlo-Conran Road.
There are no shops, no pubs, no hotels. Cape Conran is an Australian beach getaway as nature intended. Just sand, ocean, wildlife and bushland.
Walks at Cape Conran, Victoria
There are, however, two capes. West Cape Conran and East Cape Conran are neighbours and probably should have been given different names. They’re linked by the 2.3km Cape Conran Nature Trail, which stretches around Cowrie Bay.
There are several other walking trails within the Cape Conran Coastal Park. The classic choice is the walk along East Cape Beach to the mouth of the Yeerung River. This Cape Conran walk takes about an hour and a half one way. You can also do the 1.5km Estuary View Walk while you’re there. This is a great walk for spotting birds.
For a simpler Cape Conran Coastal Park walk, the East Cape Boardwalk is only 400 metres long and has interpretive signs explaining the Aboriginal history of the Cape.
Cape Conran beaches
The East Cape Beach is a beautiful white sand affair, but it has competition. Salmon Rocks Beach running west from West Cape Conran too. It gets its name from the pinkish-orange rocks near the boat ramp.
Both can attract tempestuous seas, however, with big swells crashing in from the Bass Strait.
Cape Conran accommodation: Camping and cabins
Camping at Cape Conran is available at the Banksia Bluff campground. Set amongst mahogany gums, the Banksia Bluff camping area offers fireplaces, bush showers, septic toilets and a picnic shelter.
Cape Conran accommodation is also available in the form of the Banksia Bluff cabins. These cabins all have toilets, hot showers and outdoor barbecues. You do, however, need to bring your own ben linen and towels. Prices and bookings are available via the Parks Victoria website.
More Victoria travel
Go surfing at Gunnamatta Beach on the Mornington Peninsula.
How long does the Warrnambool to Melbourne train take?
Walk to Agnes Falls in South Gippsland.