Glenelg River Canoe Trail

Two people unpack their kayak beside their campground. A river is in the background.

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Glenelg River Canoe Trail

Stretching from Dartmoor to Nelson, the Glenelg River Canoe Trail meanders through the lower reaches of the Glenelg River. Embark on this scenic journey and take in the best of Lower Glenelg National Park - from towering limestone cliffs to the underground wonderland of Princess Margaret Rose Cave and abundant wildlife that calls the park home.

The Glenelg River is perfect for flat water canoeing over the 75km from Dartmoor to its mouth near Nelson. For most of its course, the river flows through the Lower Glenelg National Park, a place of exceptional natural beauty which is home to spectacular wildlife.

Stay at some of the seven campsites reserved exclusively for the use of canoeists and kayakers and try fishing for your dinner on this memorable journey.

While the full Glenelg River Trail takes around four days, there is a popular three-day option and you can even hire a canoe for a day-trip. There are canoe hire outlets in Dartmoor, Winnap and Nelson.

All canoe campsites in the park must be booked and fees apply. Sites can only be booked for one night.


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Things to do in the area

 
Father and son bird watching on boardwalk

Bird watching

From bushland to wetlands and everything in between, parks provide habitat to an abundance of common and rare bird species. Go for a wander and see how many you can spot.
Canoeing

Canoeing and Kayaking

Canoeing and kayaking are great ways to explore beautiful waterways. Enjoy the tranquility and spot wildlife that hikers don’t normally see.
A three year old boy leads his mum and younger brother through the forest near Grants Picnic Ground.

Family activities

Stash some supplies into a back pack and take the family out for a day trip and in only a short drive from Melbourne you can be surrounded by nature.
A couple watch the sunset at a picnic table on the edge of Lake Catani at Mount Buffalo National Park.

Sunrises and sunsets

Spectacular sunsets from the summits and to west, and picturesque sunrises in the east , top-and-tail your day the perfect way.

How to get there

Glenelg River Canoe Trail

Canoes can be hired from Dartmoor, Winnap or Nelson. Many hire shops will also drop you off and pick you up at various points along the river depending on your needs. Lower Glenelg National Park is in south-west Victoria adjoining the South Australian border, about 420km from Melbourne and 490km from Adelaide. The major access roads into the park are the Portland - Nelson Road and Wanwin Road.
Glenelg River Canoe Trail

Sites

When you're there

Download the Lower Glenelg National Park visitor guide for more information about the park and the plethora of experiences to be had within its borders. 

Need to know

Glenelg River Canoe Trail

Accessibility

Visiting a park can be more of a challenge for people with disabilities, however in Victoria there are a wide range of facilities to help people of all abilities enjoy our wonderful parks around the state.

Be prepared and stay safe

Lower Glenelg National Park is in the South West fire district. Bushfires can occur during the warmer months. It is your responsibility to check current and forecast weather conditions. Campfires cannot be lit on days of Total Fire Ban, however gas cookers can be used for preparing food.

Check the Fire Danger Rating and for days of Total Fire Ban at emergency.vic.gov.au, on the Vic Emergency App or call the Vic Emergency Hotline 1800 226 226.

Change of Conditions

Nature being nature, sometimes conditions can change at short notice. It’s a good idea to check this page ahead of your visit for any updates.

  • Notices Affecting Multiple Sites

    Planned Burning Lower Glenelg National Park

    Parks Victoria and Forest Fire Management Victoria will be conducting Planned Burning in the Lower Glenelg National Park.
    A Planned Burn is scheduled to take place adjacent to Sapling Creek Boat Ramp along Glenelg Drive.
    The timing of the burn will be dependent on weather conditions, however it is expected to be undertaken between the 19th March and 30th March 2026.
    While burning operations are being conducted there will be certain road and track closures in place.
    Glenelg Drive will be closed from the start of Glenelg Drive (Western end) through to the Bulley Range Track.
    River Rd will also be closed from the North Nelson Rd Carpark through to Glenelg Drive.
    These track closures are marked as a red line on the attached map.
    The burn area is identified also as the highlighted blue area.
    The Great South West Walk will remain open between Battersbys Camp and Pattersons Walkers Camp.
    All campsites will remain open.
    Smoke may be visible in the area.
    Crews will be patrolling the area.
    Sapling Creek Boat Ramp will be closed. Other boat ramps are available within Nelson Township as well as Pritchards, Saunders, Sandy Waterholes and Wilson Hall.
    It is intended to complete this burn before Easter and School Holidays.
    Stay up to date with Planned Burning by visiting https://plannedburns.ffm.vic.gov.au/

    Attachments: Glenelg Dve Burn Area and Road Closures March 2026 (281KB)

    Planned Burning in Lower Glenelg National Park

    Parks Victoria and Forest Fire Management Victoria will be conducting Planned Burning in Lower Glenelg.
    A Planned Burn will be undertaken adjacent to Sapling Creek Boat Ramp and the surrounding area.
    It is anticipated that this burn will be conducted between the 19th March and 31st March 2026.
    The timing will be dependent on weather conditions.
    When the burn is commenced, there will be several road closures in place.
    Glenelg Drive will be closed from the start of Glenelg Drive (Western end) to the Bulley Range Track.
    River Rd will be closed from the Nth Nelson Road Carpark and Glenelg Drive.
    These are marked on the attached map in red.
    The burn area is marked in blue.
    The Great South West Walk will be still accessible between Battersbys and Pattersons Walkers Camp.
    Sapling Creek Boat Ramp will be closed.
    Alternative boat ramps are available within Nelson Township, Pritchards, Saunders, Sandy Waterholes and Wilson Hall.
    Smoke will be visible and present in the area.
    Stay up to date with Planned Burning across Victoria by checking the following website.
    https://plannedburns.ffm.vic.gov.au/
     

    Attachments: Glenelg Dve Burn Area and Road Closures March 2026 (281KB)

    Glenelg River estuary blocked causing some water based assets (Jetties and Landings) to become submerged

    Currently the river mouth and estuary of the Glenelg River is closed by a sand bank due to natural processes.
    This is causing the water level of the Glenelg River to rise and in doing so is beginning to inundate some of the Jetties, Landings and Boat Ramps that are attached to campsites and visitor nodes to become submerged.
     
    This is affecting sites located in the Lower Glenelg National Park and some assets around the river mouth/estuary area of Discovery Bay Coastal Park.
     
    Park users need to be aware that some water-based assets may be underwater, or may become underwater with passing boat wash, and that extra care needs to be taken whilst using them as they may become slippery.
     
    Campsites are not currently affected, only the waterway assets such as the jetties, landings, and boat ramps.

Similar experiences at other parks

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Great South West Walk

Walk the diverse landscapes of Lower Glenelg National Park, Discovery Bay Coastal Park, Cobboboonee National Park and Cape Nelson State Park. Starting from Portland, the walk travels through majestic tall forests, meanders alongside the World Heritage Glenelg River, remote ocean beaches, past ancient lakes and culminates along rugged ocean clifftops.
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Great Ocean Walk

The Great Ocean Walk extends just over 100km between Apollo Bay and the Twelve Apostles near Princetown. The spectacular walk weaves its way through tall forests, coastal heathlands, wild rocky shores, river estuaries and windswept cliff-tops presenting amazing views.
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Wilderness Coast Walk

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Wilsons Promontory Southern Circuit Overnight Hikes

Hike your way to overnight camping sites and sleep in bookable shady campsites with views of glassy torquoise water.
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Wilsons Promontory Lightstation

The perfect place to witness the Prom’s rugged coastal environment while staying in self-contained dormitory-style or private cabin accommodation. The Lightstation can only be reached on foot (minimum 19.1km one way). The walk is challenging (5-6 hours), requiring a high level of fitness.
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