Mansfield region campgrounds

Introduction

Mansfield is the main regional town in this area
it is the gateway to Mt Buller snow fields as well as Mt Stirling (Craig's Hut), Howqua Hills / Sheepyard Flats camping area, Delatite Arm campgrounds Lake Eildon, and Jamieson region camp grounds

Nearby campgrounds

Howqua Hills / Sheepyard Flats camping area
- 37km, 45min from Mansfield incl. ~25 min on winding gravel road
- no mobile reception but a great camp ground
Mt Samaria area north of Mansfield:
- see non-commercial camp grounds for tents 2-4 hours from Melbourne
- Blue Range Camping and Picnic Area
  - offers a small, basic camp site on Blue Range Creek.
  - Toilet facilities are across the road in the picnic area.
- Stringybark Creek Camping Area Tolmie
  - north of Mt Samaria
  - free camping area located in the Toombullup State Forest near Tolmie, northeast of Mansfield.
  - site links by a walking track to the Stringybark Creek Day Reserve, site of the infamous shooting of three policemen by the Kelly Gang in 1878, and part of the Ned Kelly Touring Route.
  - large expansive sites in a natural bushland setting. Pit toilets, fireplaces and picnic tables available.
  - operates on a first in first served basis and is not bookable.
north of Mt Buller Rd:
- Carter's Mill Picnic Area and nearby camp ground
  - 30km, 25min from Mansfield on the road to Mt Buller
  - 26km, 37min from Sheepyard Flats just off the Mt Buller Rd
  - 602m elevation; alongside a river; pit toilet; fire pits, picnic tables
  - https://www.ffm.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0012/26220/FS0029-Carters-Mill-Camping-and-Picnic-Area.pdf
  - 7km return walk to the very nice Plain Creek Waterfall
- Buttercup campground
  - ~630m elevation;
  - “The tumbling water in Buttercup Creek provides a peaceful background sound within these small, shady sites.”
  - 2WD access in dry weather is via Carter’s Road off the Mt Buller Road and reaches camp 4 first (all are on the right side as you travel west)
  - 4WD can use Buttercup Road to access the campsites, involving two creek crossings.
  - Buttercup 4 camp:
    - toilets; small camp but ample room for small camper trailers and campervans; surrounding Peppermint, Swamp Gum, Candlebark, Manna Gum and Stringybark provided nicely shaded camping spots
  - Buttercup 3 camp:
    - toilets; swimming; accessible to camper trailers;
  - Buttercup 2 camp:
    - toilets; swimming;
- Mt Stirling / Craig's Hut
  - see non-commercial camp grounds for tents 2-4 hours from Melbourne
  - Youtube: camping road trip in snow before road closure in early June - Razorback, Craig's Hut, Bindaree Falls
  - road closed June-Nov
  - bush camp at the top of Mt Stirling
    - hike up from Telephone Box Junction car park and general store
    - 2.5hrs, 4.5km one way hike with 500m altitude gain to get to near the peak elevation of 1749m - but tends to be popular with horse trails so you wont always be alone during daylight hours
    - see my blog post
  - Razorback Hut campground
    - follow the Circuit Road north (keep left) for four kilometres past King Saddle. Turn left just before the Mt. No. 3 Road intersection – the camping area is 500m along this road
  - King Hut camping area
    - located on the western edge of the Alpine National Park, about 15 kilometres north-east of Mt Stirling, alongside the King River
    - 4WD access route heads down Speculation Road, which is reached via a turn-off from Circuit Rd about 6 km south-east of the Craig's Hut turn-off.
    - There are horse yards here for use by intrepid explorers.
    - The hut itself is in excellent condition, having been recently rebuilt.
  - Craig's Hut camping area
    - 4WD access from the Circuit Rd or 45min uphill walk
      - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMxbl72IxNc
    - toilets; great views;
Running Creek Camping Reserve on Lower Howqua River near Howqua
- Located on the Howqua River and accessed via Howqua River Road, Running Creek is popular with anglers, paddlers and campers.
- There are two walking tracks that start here and end at Tobacco Flat, approximately 12 kms upstream.
- The Howqua River Walk follows the river flats with nearly 40 river crossings, while the Lower Howqua Feeder traverses the higher country.
Delatite Arm, Lake Eildon
- see Delatite Arm campgrounds Lake Eildon
- lots of camp grounds with lake access
- Blue Gum Flat campground is 28km, 27min from Mansfield
Jamieson River
- see Jamieson region camp grounds
- a number of very nice campgrounds alongside alpine streams
Goulburn River
- see non-commercial camp grounds for tents 2-4 hours from Melbourne
Tolmie Recreation Reserve
- 54min from Sheepyard flats;