This enchanting National park is home to razorback ridgelines and plunging gorges, looking as if they’ve been built from Minecraft blocks.
Set off on the Den of Nargun Loop Walk to take in the highlights of this dramatic park. Weaving through lush rainforest gullies, alongside the majestic Mitchell River and beneath outback-red cliff faces. It’s no wonder this is a sacred place for the regions Traditional Owners, the Gunaikurnai … the spiritual connection to this ancient land is undeniable.
The Den of Nargun Loop Walk is at the southern end of the Mitchell River National Park, located north-west of Bairnsdale, driving through the towns of Lindenow and Glenaladale, arriving at the Den of Nargun Picnic Area car park. The journey takes 3:15 hours from Melbourne.
The Den of Nargun loop walk
This 3.4 km/1.5 hour loop walk passes through dense rainforest, rocky escarpments and heart-stirring vistas as you climb the riverside bluff. Starting at the Den of Nargun Picnic Area, romp downhill into a scene out of Jurassic Park, through lush rainforest with ancient, moss-laden trees sprawling to reach the light above the canopy.
A short detour off the main loop walk is the Den of Nargun itself, a small cave, sometimes masked by a waterfall after rain. The Den of Nargun is a place of deep cultural significance, and one of the most important Aboriginal sites of Gippsland’s Gunaikurnai people. A sacred place for Gunaikurnai women, traditionally Gunaikurnai men were not allowed to visit the Den of Nargun and many still respect this tradition. It is possible to take the circuit walk without visiting the Den of Nargun.
From deep in the valley floor after you pass the turn-off to the Den of Nargun, you can take the 200m detour to Dedcock Den where there’s a series of cascades over rock platforms into a pool below.
Passing some rock formations and small waterfalls that would fit seamlessly in top-end Australia, you’ll arrive at the impressive Mitchell River. The looming ridge behind it looks as if it could well have been built by an expert Tetris player. Follow the river and switchback your way up the bluff. Your thighs might be weary, but those views across the gorge are *chef’s kiss*.
Â
Things to do Nearby
- Fuel up for your Mitchell River trek at The Long Paddock. This cafe is in the heart of blink-and-miss-it Lindenow and showcases mouth-watering French-patisserie style food. While the owners have a celebrated past working at fine-dining restaurants, this cafe is all about taking premium local produce and cooking it right, culminating in mouth-watering pastries, handmade gnocchi and seafood plucked from nearby shores.
- Swing into Lightfoot Wines‘ stylish cellar door, where the premium award-winning wines are matched by the beauty of the exceptional views from the bluff top. Enjoy a tasting experience and grazing platter from the warm cellar door or generous deck.
- If the Den of Nargun Loop Walk has given you a taste of the rugged Mitchell River National Park and you’re ready for more, the 18km (2-day) Mitchell River Walking Track takes in more of the park’s dramatic landscapes, following the river from the Angusvale camping area to the Den of Nargun Picnic Area.
Â
Your Getaway Itinerary Awaits
DAY 1
Start your day with breakfast at The Long Paddock, Lindenow. The delectable menu is complimented by house made brioche, scones and granola. The ever-tempting display cabinet is chock-full of decadent tarts, pies and mouth-watering cakes, and you simply must pop some in your backpack because these chefs know their way around a rolling pin.
If you save your visit to The Long Paddock post-walk, you can select from a more substantial menu that heroes local produce, like sticky soy Bruthen Creek pork, Lakes Entrance King Dory crudo or the iconic pan-friend gnocchi.
Take the 25-minute drive to the Den or Nargun Picnic Area and begin the loop walk. Feel an immediate sense of peace on the 1.5-hour amble as you make your way through stunning, untouched landscapes of the Mitchell River National Park.
Reward your efforts on the trail with a wine tasting at Lightfoot Wines, 30 minutes’ drive east, just outside of Bairnsdale. The tasting room is a chic place to sample the premium wines or graze on a Taste of Gippsland platter.
Stay overnight in Bairnsdale.
DAY 2
Bairnsdale has you covered for breakfast with oodles of cafes: pick from New Leaf, The Stables, Pheonix Food or Classique Cafe and more.
There is no going to this part of the world without visiting Gippsland’s jewel, the Gippsland Lakes. This is Australia’s largest inland waterway system, surrounded by a clutch of tranquil lakeside towns.
Head to Eagle Point, meeting place of Mitchell River and Lake King. Here the naturally occurring silt jetties extend for 8km into the lake, the largest in the southern hemisphere.
Move on to Paynesville, your next base. Take a tour of the Gippsland Lakes system and Paynesville canals with H2O Tours.Â
If you’re looking to get your steps up, take the Paynesville Cove Sunset Walking Track, winding its way around Newlands Arm.
SARDINE Dining is a must-visit while in Paynesville. This hatted restaurant excels in delights from the sea, serving up exquisite samples of local seafood. Ten out of ten recommend.
Stay overnight in Paynesville.
DAY 3
Catch the ferry to Raymond Island. It only takes 5 minutes, and they depart regularly. It’s free for pedestrians.
Raymond Island is a nature-lover’s paradise, and the front-cover splash is a heaving population of koalas. These impossibly cute bundles of fluff are best viewed on the 1.2km Koala Walk. You can do this by foot or hire bikes (Ride the Koalas can help you out with 2- and 4-wheel bikes).
After your round of koala spotting, take the ferry back to Paynesville. Hit up Pier 70 for a classy selection of mains starring local seafood and lovingly prepared meat dishes, while soaking up those sumptuous waterfront views.
