Wilderness Coast (Croajingalong National Park) April 2010
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6 days
2 nights
2 nights
1 night |
Sunday 25th to Friday 30th April 2010
accommodation in Karbeethong Lodge
accommodation in the Pint Hicks Lightkeepers Cottage
accommodation in Oliveberry Lodge and other surrounding cabins at Cape Conran
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Accommodation is twin share. Park Trek supplies doona's pillows and freshly laundered linen.
April is a lovely time to venture into the Croajingalong National Park. The Park enjoys cooler autumnal days with summer colour and streams bubble in the bright sunlight. We explore different areas of this national park with the opportunity to enjoy the serenity of the Mallacoota Lakes, the surging ocean around Point Hicks, and to visit a popular area during its quiet time.
DAY 1
We can either depart Melbourne Airport at 8.00am or leave from the Victoria Hotel and head straight for the small town of Yaragon where we have a very welcome and filling morning tea. Then it’s off to Lakes Entrance where we lunch and do a short walk out to the mouth of the entrance itself. Next we make our way to the Karbeethong Lodge, our place of stay overlooking the serenity of Lake Mallacoota. From the front verandah of our accommodation we’ll be gazing across to the Howe Wilderness Range, our place of walking the next day.
5 kilometres walking
DAY 2
We have a very special days trekking lined up for you today. This morning we walk from our lodge down to the nearby jetty and board a small boat to take us across the Mallacoota Lake and drop us off at the edge of the Cape Howe Wilderness area. We then head out to a gorgeous location right at the foot of the surrounding peaks at Lake Barracoota. The walk is easy and with views over to Gabo Island and in such a dramatic location you’ll enjoy every minute of today’s walk. As well the lake being freshwater makes it ideal for a refreshing swim. Then it’s back to our rendezvous with our boat and a cuppa while we ply the waters looking out for sea eagles nests and enjoying the local knowledge of our helmsman. Tonight’s dinner (OE) is very much a local affair with a meal at the local pub.
14 kilometres walking
DAY 3
Today we head off for a morning walk down to Shipwreck Creek. It’s an easy return walk of around 6 kilometres and gives us the opportunity to get into Mallacoota for a morning cuppa (OE). Then it’s off to do a delightful walk of eight kilometres that follows the shoreline of the Top Lake and lands us right at the front door of our place of stay Then we make tracks out of town for Genoa Peak. This gives us the most commanding view of the surrounding area . Leaving our Packs behind we’ll complete the ascent and cast our eyes over Croajingalong in its entirety. By late afternoon we’ll be in the coach and on our way back down the highway and completing our day’s journey arriving at the lovely Point Hicks. After our arrival in the late afternoon you’ll have time to explore your new surrounds on your own terms as your hosts set about organising the night’s dinner.
17 kilometres walking
DAY 4
Today’s walk is one of the best in the Park. We depart after breakfast for the Thurra River and walk over Victoria’s largest coastal sand dunes. After we’ve headed inland to the Thurra River we continue our journey in the river itself and return to our place of stay via the coast. It’s an amazing moonscape, eerie but starkly beautiful. Then it’s back to our place of stay and a cuppa out on the verandah.
DAY 5
Before departing this morning we’ll embark upon a tour of the lighthouse with our hosts who have great stories of the history and other anecdotes to share with us. Then it’s time for a trek to Muellers Inlet following the coastline. Who knows what’s been washed ashore as our beachcombing senses come to life! Then it’s time to make tracks for Cape Conran for our last night. From our very back door we are a few short steps onto the beach. Time to do some exploring on your own while your hosts set about preparing the evening meal.
8 kilometres walking
DAY 6
We’ll have a 2.5 – 3 hour walk this morning, then it is time to leave Cape Conran and head of to the small Gippsland town of Bruthen for lunch (OE). Then it’s time to head back to Melbourne after lunch with an afternoon tea break in Sale (OE). We would anticipate arriving back into Melbourne at around 6.00pm approx. We can arrange to drop you at accommodation in Melbourne.
8 kilometres walking
PRICE
Cost: $1420.00 (inc. GST)
(ex - Melbourne)
(OE) denotes Own Expense
