Gnylmarung is closing
Gnylmarung campground is closing on 30th September 2026 permanently.
Owners, Alphonse & Delma Cox thank you for your patronage over the past 18 years. After a lifetime of hard work they are now retiring to spend time with their family. Gnylmarung will now become Private property, a place they can enjoy with their family and friends.
Our History
Gnylmarung
Gnylmarung takes its name from an old station well located near the outstation, remnants of the stone tank and troughs remain today. Gnylmarung was founded in 1990 as part of the Homelands Movement.
Originally Gnylmarung was established as a horticultural training camp, to provide carpentry and building training, plus a garage workshop for the community. The community also hosted camps for childen.
Alphonse & Delma Cox
Alphonse & Delma manage the outstation and have lived here since 1997. They began operations as a tourism enterprise in 2009. They grew up in Beagle Bay, married at the historical Sacred Heart Church and in the late 1990's moved to Gnylmarung where they raised their seven children.
Alphonse & Delma are always willing to share their local knowledge, especially 'where the fish are biting' and if you are lucky enough, they might join you at your campfire for a singalong.
Sacred Heart Church
When the historical church altar needed restoration Alphonse & Delma and other local people scoured the beaches for the right shells, much of it coming from Gnylmarung's beach.
Even a certain type of hard nut used in the artwork was located in plentiful supply in a bower bird nest. Fine-point paintwork was touched up and restored to its former beauty.
The beautifully restored church is a popular tourist destination.
Our Mission
At Gnylmarung, our mission is to provide a safe and welcoming environment for families, groups, and individuals to enjoy the great outdoors. We believe that spending time in nature is essential for personal growth, and we strive to create opportunities for our guests to connect with themselves, each other, and the natural world.
A little bit about the magic
Camping sites
At Gnylmarung we have over 50 sites, some with an ocean view, others are in shadier areas, and some are in secluded bushland. Wash-up sinks are provided at camp sites, along with good drinking water. Bush bbq's are provided but you must find your own firewood.
We have clean ablution blocks with solar showers. We also have a laundry with a washing machine. Fees are $5 per load, limited to 1 load per campsite per day.
Children are welcome but must be supervised within the campground and beach area. Children must not be transported outside of vehicles (i.e. on side board or boat trailers).
Dogs are welcome, but must be on leads in the campground, and generators can be used but only in designated areas at agreed reasonable times.
We do not allow drones, nor do we allow 4 wheelers or motor bikes in the campground or on the beach.
Camping fees
Our fees are comparable with most other eco camping grounds. $25 per adult per night, includes GST. No charge for children 15 years and under. We allow up to 4 children under 15 per campsite. If you have more adults than 2, you will need to book an extra site, (note: "room" is the term used on the booking system).
We now have a minimum of 2 nights stay. We can't promise extensions to your stay, that is dependant on the number of bookings at the time.
Our tourist season runs from late March to early October. We do not take casual bookings so you must pre-book via our website.
When you book, have your debit or credit card ready as we require payment in full. Your details will be entered into a secure site. When you arrive at Gnylmarung you are required to Check in at the office. If you are staying for a longer period you can pay monthly by arrangement. If you have a query email us at: retreat@gnylmarung.org.au
Checking in and Checking out
Our office is now open between 9 am and 4 pm. You can check in between 11am and 4 pm. If you arrive after 5 pm you will have to set up temporarily in Campground 1 (area inside our gate and to the left). You can check in the following morning after 8 am and will be shown to your site.
Checkout time is strictly 10 am. If you haven't left by 11 am we will assume you are extending your stay and an extra night's fee will be charged to your account.
Eco friendly
Gnylmarung is a 'low carbon footprint community' using solar power.
Wi-Fi and mobile phone coverage is intermittent due to the remoteness of our community. Better reception is available nearby at Beagle Bay.
Gnylmarung has a free satellite phone to landline numbers anywhere in Australia.
When you arrive
You will notice a sign 'toot 3 times', please stop there and someone will come out to you. Once your booking has been confirmed you will be asked to complete our "sign in register".
Extended stays: This may or may not be possible. Check with Alphonse at the time.
Gnylmarung merchandise: We have fishing shirts, polo shirts, caps, car stickers and stubby holders for sale. We sell ice as well, so make sure you have some cash for the above items, and for the washing machine.
Respect of others
Aboriginal land is private land and permission is required to visit some areas. We ask that you respect the privacy of the people living in these communities. Road signs posted as “Local Access” are strictly for community residents only. Tourists must now pay an entry fee when visiting Beagle Bay. Note: Tappers Inlet can only be accessed by boat.
Boating
Our beach has excellent boat launching. Care is needed at low tide around the reef. You can leave your car and trailer on the beach while you are boating but make sure it doesn’t block access for others when the tide comes up, and that it is safe from the high tide.
Permission from the Traditional Owners to access some creeks in this area is required however Tappers Inlet is one of the creeks that is accessible to the public by boat (for crabbing/fishing etc).