Situated Between Sydney And Melbourne Is Australia's Coastal Park Where Stunning Beaches Await

Picture this: expansive sandy beaches that unfurl along a bay of rustic heathlands speckled with colorful banksia wildflowers, buoyed at both ends by craggy rock formations shaped by the Bass Strait's rowdy waves. The remote, rugged Cape Conran Coastal Park on Australia's southeastern Gippsland coast lies on one of the longest, continuous spans of beaches in the world, stunning with its unspoiled nature, captivating for the bounty of sea and land adventures it holds, and a far cry from Australia's more conventional top island and coastal getaways. Situated almost right in the middle between Sydney and Melbourne, Cape Conran can feel like a far-flung respite from the country's two largest and most populous metropolises. The only way to get there is by car, either five hours from Downtown Melbourne or seven hours from Sydney's trendy inner-city neighborhoods. Cruising along the coast, add on an hour or two to the drive from either city.

This inaccessibility is exactly why Cape Conran is an attractive, wild haven where breathtaking sea vistas and pristine seashores await, and native wildlife outnumber people. On serene and scenic walks along guided trails, you'll encounter wallabies, wombats, kangaroos, echidnas, lace monitors (Victoria state's largest lizards), southern brown bandicoot marsupials, long-nosed potoroos, New Holland honeyeater birds, and white-bellied sea eagles, denizens native to southern Australia. From May to October, watch the magnificent annual migrations of humpback whales and southern right whales, and throughout the year, catch dolphins cresting the currents and fur seals basking on rocks and reefs.

Between wildlife spotting, take a moment to breathe in the history of this coast. Part of the Australian land first spotted by Captain James Cook, the great naval explorer who mapped the country's eastern seaboard, Cape Conran is also traditional Aboriginal country and holds major spiritual significance as an ancient sacred meeting place.

Cape Conran's sprawling stretch of unspoiled white sands means there's a beach for everyone. At East Cape, wading-level waters are perfect for families and swimming, and along the shore, pick your way through intertidal rocks to discover a kaleidoscope of marine critters. Over on West Cape, livelier currents and tall swells attract avid surfers, while its shallower waters are known for great snorkeling and abalone foraging. Here you'll also find the area's only launch ramp, and boating to Beware Reef Marine Sanctuary 3 miles off shore is a real treat for scuba enthusiasts. This underwater paradise of rainbow-colored rock is home to several shipwrecks, coralline algae, black sea urchins, Maori octopuses, rock lobsters, starfish, and an abundance of roughly 100 fish species, the most of any dive site in the state. Meet residents such as Port Jackson sharks, wobbegongs, long-snouted boarfish, wrasses, and morwongs as they flit about the reef draped with brown, green, and red seaweeds.

Both East Cape and West Cape beaches are unpatrolled, so exercise great caution with water activities, staying aware of strong currents, undertows, and unexpected big waves. Beware Reef should only be accessed in calm weather by experienced divers and boaters. While most local animals are friendly and not among Australia's most dangerous wildlife, it's best to refrain from touching or feeding them. Cellular service is not always reliable around Cape Conran Coastal Park, so it's imperative to have a backup communication plan for emergencies.

On land, ocean views are just as spectacular from coastal boardwalks and walking paths winding through wild shrubbery and flora. The easy 2-mile Cape Conran Nature Trail tells the story of the land's Aboriginal heritage, while intrepid hikers can take on the 10-mile Dock Inlet walk, traversing sand dunes to a freshwater lake, and the 15-mile Pearl Point Walk lined by intriguing rock formations.

Cape Conran's welcoming seclusion is a positively intentional invitation to retreat far from the madding crowd. Self-sufficient, unpowered — and free! — campsites are the only area accommodations, so if you're planning a digital detox snuggled in the coastal park's tranquility, stock up on all supplies at the closest supermarket in Orbost, 20 miles away. For basic necessities, Marlo is 10 miles away. Plan ahead if you wish to stay at Banksia Bluff, the main campground with campervan slots, cold outdoor showers, toilets, and an office with simple essentials, as it gets fully booked during peak periods and requires minimum night stays over public holidays. The more isolated and smaller sites like Pearl Point, Gunnai Beach, and Binn Beach are first come, first served, without amenities, and require driving or hiking to the beaches. In return, you'll enjoy nestling in complete peace, soundtracked only by the crescendos of waves and chorales of birdsong. Motel lodgings and caravan sites can be booked in Marlo.

For day-trippers, beachside picnic tables with gas barbecues at East Cape make for a picturesque lunch or summer dinner break, against a backdrop of the turquoise ocean unfolding into the azure sky. It's imperative to bring sufficient water for however long you stay at Cape Conran, as there is no public drinking water throughout the park, and those traveling on their own should ensure they have everything they need for a solo camping trip.