For an extraordinary outback adventure into one of Victoria’s most unique and colourful landscapes, Lake Crosbie Campground is the premier destination. Located in the heart of the vast Murray-Sunset National Park, this popular Parks Victoria site is the main campground for visiting the world-famous Pink Lakes. It offers a stunning and remote bush camping experience for self-sufficient travellers, surrounded by the rugged beauty of the Mallee. The campground itself is a spacious, well-defined area set amongst native Cypress Pines and eucalypts, providing a comfortable and scenic base for exploration. The sites are suitable for a range of setups, from tents and swags to off-road camper trailers and caravans, and the atmosphere is one of shared adventure, as visitors gather to witness the area’s natural wonders.
The undisputed main attraction is the adjacent Lake Crosbie and the surrounding Pink Lakes. These large salt lakes get their spectacular pink hue from a salt-loving alga that thrives in the brine, creating a surreal and breathtaking vista, particularly on clear days. The campground is the perfect starting point for the Pink Lakes Nature Walk, a circuit trail that allows you to get up close to the salt crusts and observe the changing colours. The area is also steeped in the history of the early 20th-century salt harvesting industry. Far from the glow of any city, the campground is a spectacular location for stargazing, with the clear Mallee nights offering an incredible, unobscured view of the Milky Way. As a remote national park campground, bookings are essential, and campers must be completely self-reliant. For those prepared for a true outback journey, Lake Crosbie provides an unforgettable experience in a truly magical landscape.
Lake Crosbie Campground – VIC Location Map
Lake Crosbie Campground
Site Details
- Location: Remote bush setting in Murray-Sunset National Park, adjacent to the Pink Lakes.
- Site Suitable For: Tents, Camper Trailers, Off-road Caravans, and Motorhomes.
- Road Access: Unsealed gravel/sand roads. Generally 2WD accessible with care in dry conditions, but 4WD is recommended.
- Site Surface: Natural sand and dirt base.
- Camping Permitted: Yes, bookings and fees are mandatory via the Parks Victoria website.
- Maximum Overnight Stays: Check Parks Victoria guidelines.
- Facilities: Non-flush toilets, shared fire pits, picnic tables. No power or showers.
- Potable Water: No. You must bring all your own drinking water.
- Mobile Phone Coverage: Non-existent. A satellite phone or personal locator beacon (PLB) is essential.
- TV Reception: Not applicable.
- Onsite Public Toilets: Yes, non-flush (pit) toilets.
- Rubbish Bins: No. This is a strict carry-in, carry-out site.
- Open Fires: Permitted in designated fire pits only, subject to seasonal fire restrictions. Fuel stoves preferred. BYO firewood.
- Generator Use: Permitted during designated hours. Be considerate of the wilderness values.
- Number of Sites Available: 25 designated, bookable sites.
- Essentials to Bring: PLB/Sat Phone, all water and food, firewood, rubbish bags, toilet paper, fly nets.
- Pet Friendly: No. Pets are not permitted in Murray-Sunset National Park.
Activities
- Fishing: Not applicable.
- Short Walks: The Pink Lakes Nature Walk starts from the campground.
- Photography & Stargazing: A premier location for both, especially for the unique lake colours and dark night skies.
Local Amenities
- Local Pubs:
- Underbool Hotel (Underbool) – Approx. 65 km
- The Royal Hotel (Ouyen) – Approx. 100 km
- Robinvale Hotel (Robinvale) – Approx. 100 km
- Places to Eat:
- Underbool Store & Takeaway – Approx. 65 km
- Ouyen has bakeries and pubs – Approx. 100 km
- Local Attractions:
- The Pink Lakes – Onsite
- Murray-Sunset National Park – You are in it!
- Hattah-Kulkyne National Park – Approx. 100 km
- Nearest Caravan Parks:
- Underbool Caravan Park – Approx. 65 km
- Ouyen Caravan Park – Approx. 100 km
- Next Free Camps:
- Shearers Quarters Campground (within the park, fees apply) – Approx. 2 km
- Walpeup Caravan Park (donation) – Approx. 100 km
- Nearest Dump Points:
- Ouyen Public Dump Point – Approx. 100 km
- Nearest Petrol Station:
- Underbool – Approx. 65 km
- Drinking Water Resupply:
- Available in Underbool or Ouyen.
- Public Toilets:
- Available onsite (non-flush).
Seasonal Weather Forecast
- Summer (Dec-Feb): Extremely hot and dry, with average temperatures of 17-35°C, often exceeding 40°C. Travel is not recommended.
- Autumn (Mar-May): Warm days and cool nights, the ideal time for desert travel and viewing the lakes, averaging 9-28°C.
- Winter (Jun-Aug): Cold, with frosty nights and mild, often sunny days. Averaging 4-16°C.
- Spring (Sep-Nov): Mild to warm, a great time for wildflowers, but can become hot. Averaging 8-26°C.
