Table of Contents

camping in or near the Grampians

Introduction

  • this is a popular destination all year but try to AVOID in peak periods such as school holidays (unless you have kids)
    • Halls Gap gets very over-crowded on weekends in particular in the warmer months and getting access to good meals or a car park can be a trying experience while the key sights such as MacKenzie Falls, Wonderland and the lookouts all get over-crowded and even hard to get parking while the winding Mt Victory Road can get dangerous with distracted or inpatient traffic
    • leave it to the poor families who have to suffer the crowds and don't make their situation worse
  • if you have kids, probably best to go to the commercial holiday parks
  • if you have a caravan, Borough Huts may be OK, or you might find a spot at Plantation, otherwise go to the commercial holiday parks, Lake Lonsdale, or Green Hill Lakes Camping Reserve, Ararat (which is enormous and will have sites even in summer peak periods
  • if you are a young adult wanting a lovely tent/swag/campervan site as a base then highly recommend Plantation or perhaps Borough Huts but not much to do at either site!
  • if you want to leave your car at the campground and go on hikes, choose Stapylton, Troopers Creek, Smiths Mill, or the main commercial park in Halls Gap
  • public transport from Melbourne
    • By train, you can catch a combination train and bus to Halls Gap. The trains depart Melbourne (Southern Cross Station) daily and go to Ararat where a Coach takes passengers to Halls Gap - total trip takes about 3.5hrs. For more information see https://www.vline.com.au/Timetables/Train-coach-timetables for timetable details.
    • You could then camp at the main camp ground in Halls Gap and from there you can do the Wonderland walk without needing any vehicle

Main attractions

central Grampians - Mt Victory Rd

Mt Zero Rd region

far north end of the Grampians

east of the Grampians

Commercial camp grounds / Holiday Parks

Parks Vic camp grounds requiring booking

  • these are generally NOT FOR CARAVAN CAMPING (campervans or tents/swags only and usually one vehicle per site and most are bollarded) - perhaps stick to Green Hill Lakes Camping Reserve, Ararat, Rocklands Reservoir, or the commercial parks if you have a caravan
  • no dogs allowed

drive in camp grounds

hike in camp grounds

free camp grounds no booking required

Nearby free campgrounds

Nearby volcanic attractions to the south - the Kanawinka Geotrail

Nearby attractions to the north