Bemm River.....Escape & Unwind…..Fishing, Remote Ocean Beaches, Rugged Wilderness, Natural Beauty or Simple Relaxation….

Bemm River is one of Victoria’s remaining ’secret spots’ - tucked away on the Wilderness Coast, in the eastern corner of the state. Sitting on the boundaries of Cape Conran Coastal Park, Croajingolong National Park and Bemm State Forrest.

Bemm River a popular Bream fishing destination with more than 930 ha of fishable waterways offering estuary, river and surf fishing. Others enjoy Bemm River for diving & snorkelling for Abalone and Crayfish at Pearl Point, kayaking, mountain biking and trail bike riding; surfing at Pearl Point and Py Yoot Bay, short walks, wilderness hiking, bird watching, bush drives and taking time to unwind and relax.

Sydenham Inlet is feed by the Bemm River whose catchment is various rivers and streams coming off the Erinunderra Plateau. If the estuary entrance is open to the ocean, Sydenham Inlet will be tidal and can make for a very shallow waterway in places. Maps of the waterway are located at both boat ramps. Bream are the major target species while the waterways can also produces good bags of flathead, tailor, trevally, luderick, estuary perch and mullet. You can also lure an Australian salmon in the channel when the entrance is open to the ocean. A Recreational Fishing Licence is required and can be obtained at Bemm River Bait & Tackle, while you’re there check local bag limits, legal keeper sizes and which baits and tackle are working best. Fish cleaning tables are provided at both boat ramps.

Bemm River facilities include:

  • Hotel /Bottle Shop Open 7 Days— serving refreshments, meals & coffee
  • General Store/Aust. Post CPA/Sub Newsagent—also supplying Bait & Tackle at sensible prices
  • Community Centre & CFA Shed with Information Screen displaying local weather and emergency information
  • Boat Hire Ph. David 0427 584 233
  • Boat Ramps, Fishing Platforms, Play grounds, Tennis Courts & Cricket Nets
  • Various accommodation venues & Caravan Park


Bemm River has NO Fuel, Only Telstra Mobile Phone service and TV reception is via Satellite
Public Phone Boxes are located at the eastern end of the Caravan Park and outside the Bemm River Hotel
Important – if there is no mobile phone connectivity it is not possible to reach Emergency Services

Services available in Orbost & Cann River:

Ready to Explore…. Always check conditions before you go. Local weather can be found on the Information Screen at the CFA Fire Shed. For everyone's safety avoid adventures in extreme weather.

Short Walks - Stretch your legs around town with walks to the Recreation Reserve, Dolly’s Garden, to the River via the Farm; Long Jetty opposite Bemm River Accommodation; Boat Ramps or Fishing Platforms; The Wetlands Loop which goes up Roberts Road, past the Community Centre and around the back of the Wetlands coming back onto Morgan's Road opposite the Caravan Park or wander to the Hotel for refreshments or coffee & cake. Happy Hour is every Wednesday 5—6 pm

Longer Walks

The Tip Loop across the heathland to Pearl Point Road;

Bemm River Bridge, Falls, Gorge & Elephant Rock - Walk north along the Bemm River road, past the Recreation Reserve, Transfer Station Fishing Platform and continue for approx. 3kms to the Bemm River Bridge. Upstream from the bridge check out the swimming holes, falls and further on the gorge. On your return deviate along the walking riverside path (near the bollards) listen to the hidden creek, frogs and birds then admire Elephant Rock sitting quietly across the road. Near the end of the paddocks find another short walking path into the fishing platform for another view of the river.

Dock Inlet - drive towards Pearl Point- park at the Old Coast Road Gate (Management Vehicles Only approximately 7kms from the caravan park) - follow the sandy track through native heath land for approximately 4kms into Dock Inlet which is a pristine fresh water lagoon teaming with bird life & wildlife. Return the way you went in or follow the trail across the sand dunes to the ocean beach to Pearl Point on your left and return to your vehicle via the Pearl Point Track approx. 4.5kms. The return trip from Caravan Park takes approximately 3 to 4 hours. Remember Beach walking can be slow and tiring but great for the quads!

Scenic Drives

Cabbage Tree, Mt Raymond, Orbost, Snowy River, Marlo, Cape Conran Loop
“Travel” time approximately 2 hours—but could take you all day!

Cabbage Tree Palms - Follow the Princes Highway west towards Orbost, past Cabbage Tree General Store & Bushware Café—look for the small brown sign on the south side of the Highway saying Palms Track, follow this unsealed road for 5kms.

Mt Raymond Lookout & Fire Tower - Continue along the Highway towards Orbost for another 5 kms approx. and watch for the signs again on the south side of the highway. Take in the views across the Snowy & Brodribb River Floodplains to Marlo & Bass Strait

Orbost - Visit the Slab Hut for more Visitor Information

Marlo - Follow the Snowy River south to Marlo, turn off the main road to the Centre of Town/Pub/General Store, then down the hill to the boat ramp and estuary where the Snowy River meets the ocean

Cape Conran Coastal Park - Follow the road east out of Marlo towards Cape Conran, check out the Lookouts opposite the Caravan Park Visit West Cape (great surf beach), Salmon Rocks, Joiners Channel and Cowrie Bay then continue along the Conran Road to East Cape Conran and enjoy Sailor's Grave, a favourite swimming and surfing beach or follow the boardwalk and trails enjoying views of Pt Hicks, Beware Reef and Mt Raymond to the north.

Yeerung River & Gorge Walk (side trip) - Follow signs to Banksia Bluff Camp area, don’t turn to the camp area, continue on the unsealed road to Yeerung River and Gorge Walk.

Pt Hicks Lighthouse & Giant Sand Dunes - Return to the highway and travel east to CannRiver, turn right at the Pub and follow the Tamboon Road to Tamboon, Peach Tree, Muller River and Point Hicks Lighthouse. This is a gravel road and could take up to 45 minutes from Cann River to Pt Hicks. At the end of the road (locked gate) take the sandy walking track the lighthouse, approximately 1km.

4X4 Drives

Mt Bemm Fire Tower - Return to the Bridge across the Bemm River and follow the Old Coast Road turning left on to Poddy's Creek Road National park follow signs to Mt Bemm for great views across Sydenham Inlet and north to the Erriundra . If your keen for more follow Poddy's Creek Road north to the Highway stopping for refreshments at the Bellbird Pub

Pig (Big) Hole Track - Follow the Bemm Road back towards the Highway for approximately 6kms, turn right onto Pig Hole Track ( sign is regularly missing) follow bush track for approx. 3kms into picnic area and walk to the river. Could be a trout or bass in these water holes.

Old Coast Road to Cape Conran - Gates may be locked if very wet! Follow the Bemm Road back towards the highway approx. 11kms, turn left on to the Old Coast Road and follow this through to Marlo Plains Cape Conran Road

Fishing - Bemm River and Sydenham Inlet

Boat - Luderick Point Boat Ramp, opposite the pub, is the most accessible ramp. The Finger Jetty Ramp is OK when the lake is high. BYO Boat and away you go. ...or Hire a Boat (Ph. David Sturgiss 0427 584233) to discover the magic of this pristine waterway.

Kayak - Launching areas into the estuary at Boat Ramps, Luderick Point Park (opposite the pub), The Cutting on Pearl Point Road or launch into the river on the south side of the bridge at the Old Coast Road, Dolly's Garden or the Farm.

*NB - Sydenham Inlet is a shallow lake and can ‘chop up’ quickly. Conditions in the Channel can be very different to the open lake.

Land based

Estuary
Try Luderick Point Park (opposite the Pub), fishing platforms and jetties at the boat ramps, or any of the cuttings thru the Ti Trees down to the Lake – there are 2 in town on the Pearl Point Road and several further down the gravel road (Pearl Point Track) heading out to the ocean beaches. Access via these tracks can be boggy.

River
Access Fishing Platforms at Dolly’s Garden (2), The Farm and just around the corner from the Tip (Transfer Station). Also check out the river bank under the bridge or several spots along the Sydenham Inlet Road i.e., opposite the stockyards and just around the corner from of the tip heading out of town.

Surf
All 5 beaches along the Pearl Point Track offer surf fishing opportunities. Ocean Beach regularly has the best gutter and is closest to town but access to the beach can be difficult due to the dunes being washed away. Gunnai & Binn Beaches are popular free camping locations and can be crowded. Pearl Point offers shelter from easterlies, while Py Yoot Bay is protected from the westerly winds. Target species are salmon, whiting, flathead and gummies. Pearl Point & Py Yoot have small rock pools for endless hours of fun for the little kids looking for sea life. *NB - Pearl Point Road is a poorly maintained gravel road but worth the pot holes & bone jarring corrugations! There is near zero phone coverage at these beaches.