Ayson's Reserve Camping Ground

Introduction

large (could fit over 100 unmarked sites) free generally flat and treed camp ground along the Campaspe River suitable for tents and all vehicle types
- NB. it gets quite full with grey nomads in air conditioned caravans with petrol generators over the summer school holidays until end of the Australia Day long weekend as they avoid paying peak prices on the Murray River and elsewhere
small boat ramp
flush toilets but BYO toilet paper and drinking water
no potable water
camp fires allowed pending CFA restrictions
can go swimming or laze on an inflatable on hot days
fairly wide, deep river with generally slow currents so good for kayaking and small boats but lots of submerged fallen trees

maximum stay 2 nights - but can easily get a permit for up to 28 days
do not camp on the river side of the bollards as you must not camp within 20m of water - you may get fined
ground can be very hard - you will need a hammer for pegs and a claw hammer or similar to get them out again!
subject to flooding!
there are no permitted firewood collection areas in the region
- see https://www.ffm.vic.gov.au/firewood/find-a-firewood-collection-area
- firewood collection points in this region west of the Hume Freeway are only permitted from March to June 30th and only for local residents eg. ALFS Dam on Scrubby Creek Rd, (48min, 58km from Aysons, or 21min SW of Whroo)
- you will need to try the local petrol stations, Mitre 10 in Rochester, Bunnings Echuca (32min, 41km), Bunnings Epsom (36min, 48km, NE of Bendigo)
mosquitoes and "sand flies" / biting midges can be an issue in some areas on warm, humid cloudy days - mainly at dusk and dawn

just under 2hrs drive from NW suburbs of Melbourne
close to nearby towns of:
- Elmore - nice hotel for meals; bakery, IGA grocery/liquor;
- Rochester - painted silos; IGA grocery; hotels;
- Tolleen - 22min Sth en route to Heathcote - hotel meals, golf course, public toilets, recreational park

Greens Lake Recreation Reserve campground, Corop
- 19min/25km east of Aysons Reserve camp ground
- can have lots of toxic masculinity and large dogs
- hot showers can be too hot!
- NOT to be confused with Green Hill Lakes Camping Reserve, Ararat
English's Bridge campground
- further south on the Campaspe River
- no toilets; dry weather road only;
Dargile camping ground, Heathcote-Graytown National Park
- 39min/52km Sth, near Heathcote
Green's camp near Whroo gold mine
- 7 camp sites; drop toilets; ground is hard to peg; nice walks; can be dusty;
Whipstick
- 41min/52km SW of Aysons
- north of Bendigo
Murray River camp areas ~45min
- Will's Bech
- Benarca campgrounds
- Betts beach
- see Echuca and surrounds
Leanganook camp ground Mount Alexander
- 1hr/85km SW
- south of Bendigo
Mt Terrick Terrick picnic area
- 1hr NW via Rochester
- very small camp area in nice forest with views
Newbridge Recreation Reserve camp ground
- 66min/94km SW
Major Creek, Mitchellstown
- 71min/91km SE
Longwood Recreation Reserve camp ground
- 75min/103km SE
Melville Caves campground, Kooyoora State Park
- 80min/107km W
Murray River / Gunbower Creek camping at Koondrook
- 90min/125km NW
Flat Rock Tallarook
- 90min SE
Tocumwal on the Murray River
- just under 2hrs NE
Murrindindi Scenic Reserve camping
- 2hrs/171km SE
Edi Cutting, King Valley
- 2hrs 15min E via Benalla

source is in the Wombat State Forest on the northern aspect of Lerderderg and just south of Firth Park
it then flows to Lake Eppalock via Carlsruhe, Kyneton, Turpins Falls, Barfold, and Redesdale
the Coliban River (arises south of Lyonville) also feeds into Lake Eppalock via Trenthan Falls, Lauriston, Malmsbury, Taradale, Metcalfe
flow of the northern parts arises from outflow of Lake Eppalock
runs northwards through Elmore then to Aysons, then Rochester then to Echuca where it feeds into the Murray River
in the 2022 floods it formed a 10km wide flood zone around Rochester flooding most of the shops and houses

White plumed honeyeater at Aysons - loves the river red gums