Cape Conran Coastal Park — Banksia Bluff Campground

Banksia Bluff is the main bookable campground in Cape Conran Coastal Park on the wild East Gippsland coast, set among mahogany gum and banksia woodland right behind the Southern Ocean beach. With 135 sites spread over a kilometre, cold outdoor showers, septic toilets and a small camp office selling ice, gas and firewood, it’s a well-equipped base for exploring the coast around Marlo and Cape Conran. Fees and bookings apply, and a mix of dog-friendly (on lead) and non-dog sites are available — specify a dog-friendly site when booking. Note the campground has a scheduled closure for infrastructure works from late May to the end of October 2026. Spectacular beachside camping on Victoria’s Wilderness Coast. Cape Conran Coastal Park is one of East Gippsland’s most beautiful coastal camping destinations, combining wild beaches, rocky headlands, banksia woodland and excellent opportunities for swimming, fishing, bushwalking and wildlife watching. The main developed campground is Banksia Bluff Campground, located close to East Cape Beach. It offers unpowered campsites for tents, camper trailers and caravans, with flushing toilets, cold outdoor showers and selected dog-friendly campsites.

Cape Conran Camping at a Glance

Where is Cape Conran Coastal Park?

Cape Conran Coastal Park is located in East Gippsland, approximately 420 kilometres east of Melbourne. The park stretches along a beautiful section of Victoria’s Wilderness Coast and is easily reached through Orbost and Marlo. The address commonly used for the park is:

Marlo-Conran Road
Cape Conran VIC 3888

Banksia Bluff Campground itself is located on Banksia Bluff Road, Cape Conran VIC 3888.

Banksia Bluff Campground

Banksia Bluff is the main campground within Cape Conran Coastal Park. It is set among mahogany gums and banksia woodland just a short walk from the Southern Ocean. The campground is particularly popular with families and travellers wanting a coastal camping experience with more facilities than the park’s remote bush camping areas. All campsites are unpowered, and generators are not permitted.

Do You Need to Book?

Yes. Banksia Bluff Campground is bookable through Parks Victoria. Booking ahead is particularly important during summer, Easter, school holidays and long weekends when Cape Conran is extremely popular. Other more remote camping areas within Cape Conran Coastal Park may operate on a first-come, first-served basis and have significantly fewer facilities.

Are Dogs Allowed?

Yes – but only on designated dog-friendly campsites.

At Banksia Bluff Campground, dog-friendly campsites are located within Loops C, D, E and F, covering sites 68 to 135. You must specifically book a dog-friendly campsite if travelling with your pet. Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times and must not be left unattended. Dog owners should also be aware that paralysis ticks occur in coastal East Gippsland, so Parks Victoria recommends checking dogs daily for ticks.

Facilities at Banksia Bluff

Banksia Bluff provides considerably better facilities than many remote Victorian coastal campgrounds while still retaining a natural bush camping atmosphere.

• Flushing toilets
• Cold outdoor showers
• Unpowered campsites
• Selected dog-friendly campsites
• Selected campsites with campfire rings
• Easy access to beaches
• Campground office
• Walking tracks nearby

There are no powered campsites, and generators are prohibited.

Is Drinking Water Available?

You should bring all the drinking and cooking water you need. Bore water is available from taps at Banksia Bluff, but Parks Victoria states that this water is not suitable for consumption. Campers should therefore arrive with sufficient drinking water for their entire stay.

Campfires

Campfires are permitted on selected campsites equipped with designated campfire rings. Campfires must comply with current fire restrictions and must never be lit on a Total Fire Ban day. Firewood collection within Cape Conran Coastal Park is prohibited, as is the use of chainsaws. Campers should bring their own firewood or purchase it from the Banksia Bluff office when available.

Camping with Caravans and Camper Trailers

Banksia Bluff has campsites suitable for a range of camping equipment, including tents, camper trailers and caravans. Because campsite dimensions and access vary, check the Parks Victoria campground map and campsite selection information carefully when making a booking, particularly if you have a large caravan or camper trailer.

Beaches and Swimming

The magnificent coastline is the main attraction at Cape Conran. Campers have easy access to beaches, rocky headlands, rock pools and spectacular views across Bass Strait. Conditions along this section of coast can be wild, with strong waves, currents and changing weather. Swimmers should assess conditions carefully and remember that many beaches are not patrolled.

Fishing

Cape Conran is also well known for surf and rock fishing. West Cape is a popular fishing location, with species including salmon, flathead and gummy shark caught in the surrounding waters. Always check current Victorian recreational fishing regulations and take particular care when fishing from rocks.

Bushwalking

There are several excellent walks around Cape Conran Coastal Park, ranging from short coastal strolls to longer walks through forest and along the shoreline.

• Cape Conran Nature Trail
• Estuary View Trail
• Yeerung Gorge
• Dock Inlet walks
• Pearl Point walks
• East Cape coastal walks

The Cape Conran Nature Trail is particularly worthwhile, taking visitors through beaches, rock pools, boardwalks and banksia woodland while also interpreting the Aboriginal history of the coastline.

Directions to Cape Conran Coastal Park

From Melbourne

Cape Conran Coastal Park is approximately 420 kilometres east of Melbourne. Travel east along the Princes Highway through Gippsland towards Orbost. From Orbost, follow the signs through Marlo and continue along Marlo-Conran Road towards Cape Conran.

From Orbost

From Orbost, travel towards the coastal town of Marlo and then follow Marlo-Conran Road east to Cape Conran Coastal Park.

Marlo is approximately 17 kilometres from Banksia Bluff Campground and provides basic supplies and fuel.

Approaching from the East

When approaching from the east along the Princes Highway, turn onto Cabbage Tree Creek Road and follow the road towards Cape Conran and Banksia Bluff Campground.

Nearby Supplies

Although Cape Conran feels wonderfully remote, supplies are available within a reasonable driving distance.

• Marlo – approximately 17 km: fuel and basic convenience supplies
• Orbost – approximately 34 km: supermarket, fuel, chemist, medical services and veterinary services

The Banksia Bluff office also normally sells a small range of useful items including ice, gas and firewood.

Things to Do at Cape Conran

• Beach walking
• Swimming
• Surf fishing
• Bushwalking
• Rock pooling
• Birdwatching
• Wildlife spotting
• Photography
• Kayaking
• Exploring East Cape
• Visiting Yeerung Gorge
• Exploring nearby Marlo

What Should You Bring?

Cape Conran has useful campground facilities, but campers should still arrive well prepared.

• Plenty of drinking and cooking water
• Food and cooking equipment
• Rubbish bags
• Firewood if planning a campfire
• Insect repellent
• Sun protection
• Warm and waterproof clothing
• First-aid supplies
• Fishing equipment if required
• Dog supplies if staying on a pet-friendly site

Is Cape Conran Coastal Park Worth Visiting?

Cape Conran Coastal Park is one of the standout camping destinations on Victoria’s far-east coast. Banksia Bluff combines a magnificent coastal location with flushing toilets, cold showers, campfire sites, dog-friendly camping options and easy access to beaches and walking tracks. The lack of power and potable water means campers still need to be reasonably self-sufficient, but the facilities are considerably better than those found at many remote bush camping areas. For campers looking for wild beaches, fishing, walking, wildlife and a peaceful coastal setting, Cape Conran is well worth adding to a Victorian camping itinerary.

Important 2026 Closure

Banksia Bluff Campground is temporarily closed from 24 May until the end of October 2026. Parks Victoria advises that the closure is required while essential works are undertaken to install drinking-water and wastewater systems at Cape Conran, along with new septic tanks and pump stations within Banksia Bluff Campground. Campers planning a trip after October 2026 should check Parks Victoria before travelling to confirm that the campground has reopened.