Murray Sunset National Park

Stretching across a remote corner of northwestern Victoria, Murray Sunset National Park is a vast, otherworldly landscape of red sand dunes, salt lakes, and ancient cypress pines. This is the outback in miniature: a place of profound silence, dazzling starry nights, and the subtle beauty of desert flora. It’s a paradise for self-driven adventurers seeking solitude and a genuine off-the-beaten-track experience.

Highlights & What to See

• Pink Lakes – The shimmering, salt-crusted lakes (especially Lake Crosbie, Lake Becking and Lake Kenyon) turn a vivid bubblegum pink in warmer months, creating surreal photo opportunities.
• Mallee Cliffs & Sand Dunes – Walk the Mallee Cliffs Walk or climb the massive sand dunes at Sunset Country to take in 360-degree views over endless scrub and salt pans.
• Underbool to Murray-Sunset Road – This iconic 4WD track (passable in dry conditions with a high-clearance vehicle) weaves through the heart of the park, passing historic stock routes and Aboriginal scar trees.
• Night Sky – As a Dark Sky Sanctuary, the park offers some of the clearest stargazing in Australia; bring a blanket and lie back on a dune for the Milky Way.
• Wildlife watching – Look for red kangaroos, emus, and the rare Mallee fowl; birders should keep an eye out for the striking Major Mitchell’s cockatoo.

Suggested Time to Spend

Dedicate at least two full days to properly experience the park. Most visitors base themselves at the Underbool or Millewa campgrounds and spend a day exploring the southern Pink Lakes and another day tackling the northern dunes and 4WD tracks. If you only have a day, focus on the Pink Lakes area and a short walk, but you’ll miss the park’s wilder heart. Plan your visit between April and October to avoid extreme summer heat.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Hattah-Kulkyne National Park – A lush Murray River floodplain with canoeing and abundant birdlife, a 90-minute drive south.
• Mildura – The lively regional hub on the Murray River, known for its food scene, paddle steamers, and wine region, about 1.5 hours west.
• Mungo National Park – Home to the famous Walls of China lunette and ancient human footprints, a 2-hour drive east (via Pooncarie).
• Big Desert Wilderness Park – Adjacent to the north, this remote wilderness offers even more solitude and sand dune hiking for seasoned bushwalkers.

Please check official sources for current details.