Travel guide to the Tarra-Bulga National Park | Discover Gippslands hidden gem!

Two consecutive weekends in Melbourne forced us to get on the road again. Following Yentl’s motto of not planning, we were even more underprepared than that this time. After failing to find a place to sleep during the Formula One weekend in Melbourne, which almost left us homeless on the street, we should have seen the next weekend coming. Easter Long weekend, who could have known? All accommodation was booked out on both weekends, and we had to escape the city twice. Easter in Australia should be called the official camping weekend of Australia. So, last minute, we borrowed a car from one of our friends allowing us to get out (thank you so much, Abbey!). In retrospect, it was a great thing because that’s how we went to discover Gippsland’s hidden gem: the Tarra-Bulga National Park. However, not everything was as easy as it seemed.

To plan or not to plan?

Our first mistake was anticipating being able to go shopping on Good Friday. Secondly, we did not have a campsite booked, or even knew where we wanted to go. Everyone goes camping, making it hard to find a free spot. With no plan in mind and no idea where to sleep, we set off on the highway at 5 pm. We knew we eventually wanted to head out to a national park, but being Easter, most of the other people on the road were thinking the same thing. First things first and we settled on trying to find some food and a place to sleep.

We luckily got the last free spot on a campsite to sleep and a fuel station to grab some food. Soon after we searched for the best things to do nearby, and that’s how we came across a stunning park not too far from where we had camped. The next day we left for the Tarra-Bulga park.

Tarra-Bulga National Park.

The Tarra-Bulga park is one of the last remaining rainforests in Victoria and is a true hidden gem. Tarra-Bulga National Park got its name from the Indigenous word for ‘mountain’, Bulga, and Count Strzelecki’s Indigenous guide, Charlie Tarra. The area was explored by Count Strzelecki and his party, including Tarra, in 1840. Later, in 1903, the Alberton Shire Council asked the State Government to reserve a park section as a public park near Balook. The following year, 20 hectares were secured and given the name ‘Bulga’. In 1909, 303 hectares were temporarily reserved in the Tarra Valley and called ‘Tarra’. In 1986, these two parks were joined into what’s now known as Tarra-Bulga National Park—ensuring that 2,000 hectares of Cool Temperate Rainforests and Mountain Ash Forests are protected.

Approximately a 3-hour drive from Melbourne, it offers plenty for the perfect weekend away from bustling city life. You can choose from short day walks to longer overnight hikes or take a picnic down to eat in the sun. No matter what you decide to do here, it will be a fantastic experience. We found it only by chance on another hikers page. We knew it was a perfect trip for us to make before going to Wilson promontory, which would be super busy over Easter.

Travel guide to Tarra-Bulga National Park.

The Tarra-Bulga national park is worth a visit! Whether you go for a day trip out of Melbourne or planning to stay multiple nights, this guide has you covered. We try to include as much information as possible below:

Camping

Camping is not allowed in the Tarra-Bulga National Park itself. However, you will be able to find accommodation around the park. The Yarram Tarra River campground is the nearest free camp, a 40-minute drive away. Otherwise, there are two caravan parks located in Tarra Valley; the Tarra Valley Caravan Park and the Best Friend Holiday Retreat. These are not free to stay, and for prices, I recommend checking the website as they change throughout the seasons.

What to bring

The weather in Gippsland can be unpredictable, so it is best to gear up for all conditions. A raincoat, jacket, good walking shoes, hat and sunscreen are your basics for visiting this place. An emphasis on enclosed shoes, as the track, can get pretty muddy. Make sure to pack plenty of food, snacks and water. There are public gas BBQs available in the picnic area for cooking. Do not bring your dogs as they are not allowed into the park.

How to get here

Located at 2 hours and a 45-minute drive away from Melbourne, the park is very accessible. All the roads from Melbourne to the park are sealed, so a 4×4 is not needed. Take the M1 to Traralgon, then follow Redhill Road to the park. The most accessible place to put into your navigation is Balook, as this is nearby. Be aware that Redhill road can be pretty narrow and has sharp corners. Caution should be taken when driving. 

Walks in the Tarra-Bulga National Park. 

All the short and long walks in the Tarra-Bulga National Park can be found below. To have a little overview make sure to download the map above as well. We added more walks than on the map, but talk about all the walks on the map!

Corrigan Suspension bridge

For most people, the Corrigan Suspension Bridge is the highlight of the Tarra-Bulga. It is an impressive way to view the rainforest canopy and floor. Getting to the bridge is a 1.2km walk (one way) from the visitors centre, but you can access this track via three other tracks: Lyrebird Ridge, Ash and Wills. Allow about 40 minutes for a round trip.

Forest Track

Are you looking for something a bit longer and less populated? Then take the 4.4 km Forest Track. Beginning at the end of the Lyrebird Ridge track, you will follow the trail back to the visitors centre the long way. You will also be walking on the part of the Old Yarrum-Balook road back towards the ‘main road’. Signage is scarce at the end, so follow the road until you are opposite the cafe, turn right, and end up back at the car park. Allow about an hour to an hour and a half, depending on your fitness level.

Lyrebird Ridge track

It takes about 45 minutes to complete this 2.4km track through regenerating Moutain Ash Forests. Seats are provided along the trail, allowing a good rest site and a place to listen to the forest.

The Ash Track

The Ash Track is a brief walk that joins together the Suspension Bridge walk and the Lyrebird Ridge Walk. It is about 680 meters one way, so allow 10 minutes to complete this walk. The Ash track is a great way to create a longer circuit walk out of the short walk in the Tarra-Bulga National Park.

Fern Gully Nature Walk

Again, this track runs between two other tracks, thus joining them together. The trail goes between the Ash Track and the Corrigan Suspension Bridge through Bulga. Seven hundred twenty meters one way, allow 10 minutes to complete it. In reality, it takes 20 minutes as the vegetation along the river is stunning. Additional signage along the path explains the unique features of the Cool Temperate Rainforests and the Strzelecki Ranges, of which the park is a part.

Scenic Track

This track allows you to explore the upper region of the park north of the bridge. It will take you through more of the rainforest and Mountain Ash forest and gets you back to the visitor centre. It is 1km one way, which you can use to create a circuit of walks.

The big circuit track – All Tarra-Bulga National Park walks into one!

The perfect way to discover the park in one continual walk! Allow 2 – 2.5 hours to complete this circuit track. It is approximately 8.5 km (a rough estimate as we did not measure how we walked).

The extended circuit walk is not an official track, but it is perfect for hikers looking to complete all of the shorter walks in one go. Starting at the Visitors Centre, head north on the Link Track to the Scenic Track. Continue on the Corrigan Suspension Bridge through to Fern Gully, then onto the Ash Track. Finally, use the Lyrebird Ridge Track to the Forest Track and return to the Visitors Centre. 

The Tarra Valley Rainforest Walk

Unlike the other walks, this walk is not located near the visitors centre. You will find this walk in the Tarra Valley (hence the name). This beautiful 1.4 km trail through the rainforest gully to Cyathea Falls is protected by ancient Myrtle Beech, sheltering the delicate tree ferns, moss and lichens. There are two tracks to the falls; East and West. It is best to make it a circuit and choose one for the trip to the falls and one for the journey back. That way, you do not miss anything! Allow about an hour to return to the car park.

Furthermore, head down the road a little further, and you will find yourself at yet another waterfall. Park on the side of the road, and take the stairs down to the viewing platform. It is a short walk, so you will only need to allow 5 minutes to return.

The Grand Strzelecki Track

If you are looking for a longer, overnight hike through this area, check out the Grand Strzelecki Track. This hike classifies as a grade four-track, so you will need some fitness level to undertake this. Further, you will need to be self-sufficient, taking all food, water, and gear.

There are four different entry points for this trail. One of the east entrances is at the Tarra-Bulga National Park car park. This track finished at the Morwell National Park, about 26.5 km away. In addition, you can also add in other hike loops for a longer hike. You can find more information here.

Did you enjoy this travel guide? Please let us know in the comments below! Do you want to start exploring but have questions on how to start? We are here to help with all your travel needs! For more inspiration, check out our travel blogs and vlogs or the tips & tricks section. To keep up to date with our adventures and future travel guides, follow us on Instagram and Facebook, or subscribe to our newsletter! Feel free to send us a message through the contact page! We can’t build this platform without our readers, so we thank you for your continued support. Stay tuned for many more adventures to come!