"There is nothing like watching the sunset from the Point Hicks Lighthouse. It is the most spectacular view across to the headland and the pinks and oranges light up the Thurra sand dune."

Darryl Burns, Ranger-In-Charge, Croajingolong National Park

Croajingolong National Park extends for 100 km along the remote wilderness coast of Victoria's East Gippsland, halfway between Melbourne and Sydney. With breathtaking views, sandy beaches, colourful heathlands, tall eucalypt forests and small pockets of ancient rainforest, it is one of Victoria's best kept secrets.

It is believed that the name Croajingolong is derived from ‘Krowathunkooloong', the name of an Aboriginal tribe that originally inhabited part of East Gippsland. The coastal and inland areas provided a rich and plentiful supply of food for the resident Aboriginal population.

Ranger-in-Charge, Darryl Burns says that "Point Hicks is an iconic location, renowned for its scenic beauty and significant because of its cultural heritage. In 1770, it was where Captain Cook first saw Australia."

The Point Hicks Lighthouse, built in 1890, is situated on the headland first sighted by Lt Zachery Hicks on board the Endeavour. The lighthouse complex has an imposing concrete tower and two timber residences where visitors can stay overnight.

There are tours of the lighthouse and you can climb the cast iron spiral staircase to the top and look out across the ever-changing sea. This lighthouse played a very important role in guiding the ships away from the treacherous rocks which make up a vast percentage of this rugged coastline.

To discover some of the history of the area, walk along Saros Track from the lightstation and follow the coast to a viewing platform where you can see the shipwreck of the S.S. Saros.

"For outdoors enthusiasts, the park displays an unspoiled natural beauty and remoteness," said Darryl. Take one of the many walks and you can experience great sand dunes, desolate beaches, rocky headlands, river estuaries and coastal heathlands.

"One of my favourite walks is up to the sand dunes," says Darryl. "The Dunes Walk takes you past woodlands of Tea Tree and banksias, emerging to a great landscape of constantly shifting sands. You can climb to the top of the highest dune and then drop over the edge, wading back through the Thurra River to the bridge and back to camp."

Near the Thurra River Campground is Mueller Inlet. "It is not a large body of water but it a great place to go canoeing because of its scenic beauty and there is plenty of wildlife," says Darryl.

Croajingolong National Park is one of Australia's most diverse National Parks, offering a vast array of indigenous plants and animals, some of which are at the furthest extent of their range. The park has over 1000 species of native plants and 90 species of orchids. "In spring it offers a magnificent display of wildflowers."

Alongside such a diversity of native plants, there also exists 306 species of birds which represents more than one third of Australia's total bird species. Wetlands attract 40 species of migratory seabirds and waders, while coastal heathlands and woodlands attract hawks, eagles and falcons.

You may be lucky enough to see a threatened Ground Parrot or an Eastern Bristlebird, both of which are found in the park. There is also an abundance of possums, gliders and bats which like to hide inside the hollow-bearing trees.

Warm temperate rainforest, coastal woodland and coastal heathland support many threatened species. The park is one of the most significant conservation reserves in Victoria, and is one of the state's three World Biosphere Reserves, one of only 12 in Australia. This worldwide program involves people and environment interactions, and preserves examples of major habitat types and gene pools.

For further information on Croajingolong National Park please contact Parks Victoria info@parks.vic.gov.au or visit our website: www.parkweb.vic.gov.au.