Murray - Sunset National Park

National Park Vast Victorian national park of red dunes and mallee

Murray-Sunset covers large mallee country in northwest Victoria, including the Pink Lakes. Drivers, cyclists and birdwatchers visit for four-wheel routes, spring wildflowers and saline lake views.

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Murray-Sunset National Park is a protected area in northwest Victoria, Australia, covering a large area of semi-arid mallee country and salt pans. It is best known for the distinctive Pink Lakes salt pans found within the park.

The park offers extensive dryland mallee vegetation, saltpans that can appear pink under the right conditions, and remote routes used for backcountry driving, walking and basic camping. Birdwatching and observing semi-arid flora are common reasons people visit.

The reserve was proclaimed and is managed by the State of Victoria for conservation and recreation. Management focuses on protecting native mallee ecosystems and saline lake systems while permitting low-intensity recreation.

Geographically the park sits in northwest Victoria, in a flat, semi-arid zone of the state. It lies inland from the southern Murray River corridor and is accessed from small regional towns in the state’s northwest.

  • Pink Lakes: The park contains the Pink Lakes salt pans, whose shallow saline lakes can take on a pink hue when halophilic algae and bacteria are active.
  • Access and management: Managed by Parks Victoria, the reserve protects extensive mallee and semi-arid landscapes and supports remote four-wheel-drive tracks and basic camping facilities.
Murray - Sunset National Park
-34.7764, 141.4840
Daily sunrise-sunset
Vehicle entry or camping fees may apply; check Parks Victoria for up-to-date information

How to Get to Murray - Sunset National Park #

Access from towns such as Mildura or Hopetoun; long unsealed roads traverse the park-4WD recommended for some routes. Check Parks Victoria for seasonal road conditions and permits.

Tips for Visiting Murray - Sunset National Park #

  • Roads into parts of the park are long and unsealed-plan fuel and supplies accordingly.
  • Visit during cooler months for comfortable walking; early morning gives the best light for photography.
  • Look for Mallee and saltbush vegetation-this park is known for desert-adapted ecosystems.

Best Time to Visit Murray - Sunset National Park #

Best in autumn-spring for milder temperatures and safer travel across remote roads.

Autumn-Spring (March-November)
March-November · 5°C-25°C (41°F-77°F)
Cooler and more comfortable for driving and short walks across the park's expansive landscapes.
Summer (December-February)
December-February · 20°C-40°C (68°F-104°F)
Hot and arid-travel is possible but take precautions and avoid heat extremes.

Weather & Climate near Murray - Sunset National Park #

Climate

Murray - Sunset National Park's climate is classified as Cold Desert - Cold Desert climate with warm summers (peaking in February) and cold winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 4°C to 31°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall.

Air Quality: AQI 18 Good
Best Time to Visit
JanuaryFebruaryMarch
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
48°
Warmest Month
-1°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is mild with highs of 31°C and lows of 15°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.

94 Ideal

Comfort

23°
Feels Like Mild
23°C
Temperature
15° 31°
37%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

18 mm
Rainfall
3.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
3.0
UV Index
Extreme
14.0h daylight

February

February is the warmest month with highs of 31°C and lows of 16°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.

94 Ideal

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Mild
24°C
Temperature
16° 31°
41%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

20 mm
Rainfall
3.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.6
UV Index
Extreme
13.2h daylight

March

March is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 13°C. The driest month with just 17 mm and mostly sunny skies.

92 Ideal

Comfort

20°
Feels Like Mild
20°C
Temperature
13° 28°
46%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

17 mm
Rainfall
3.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.9
UV Index
Very High
12.2h daylight

April

April is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 10°C. Light rainfall.

81 Excellent

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
10° 23°
55%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

23 mm
Rainfall
2.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.1
UV Index
High
11.1h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 8°C. Light rainfall.

79 Very Good

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
18°
67%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

27 mm
Rainfall
2.7 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.6
UV Index
Moderate
10.2h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 5°C. Light rainfall.

79 Very Good

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cool
10°C
Temperature
15°
74%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

25 mm
Rainfall
2.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.4
UV Index
Low
9.7h daylight

July

July is the coolest month with highs of 15°C and lows of 4°C. The wettest month with 33 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.

68 Good

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cold
10°C
Temperature
15°
74%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

33 mm
Rainfall
3.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.4
UV Index
Low
10.0h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 5°C. The wettest month with 33 mm of rain.

78 Very Good

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
17°
68%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

33 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.7
UV Index
Moderate
10.7h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (30 mm).

78 Very Good

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
20°
60%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

30 mm
Rainfall
3.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.1
UV Index
High
11.7h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 9°C. The wettest month with 33 mm of rain.

88 Excellent

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
23°
51%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

33 mm
Rainfall
3.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.7
UV Index
Very High
12.8h daylight

November

November is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 12°C. Light rainfall.

90 Ideal

Comfort

19°
Feels Like Mild
19°C
Temperature
12° 27°
45%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

25 mm
Rainfall
4.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.3
UV Index
Extreme
13.8h daylight

December

December is mild with highs of 30°C and lows of 14°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.

92 Ideal

Comfort

22°
Feels Like Mild
22°C
Temperature
14° 30°
41%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

19 mm
Rainfall
4.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.8
UV Index
Extreme
14.3h daylight

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