the most popular time for camping in Victoria is at Easter with the milder temperatures, less likely to be windy and wet.

summer camping tends to be mainly in Alpine regions (if there are no bushfires) and coastal regions.

see info on snakes

see also Bushwalking tips

bring sufficient drinking water to most camp sites as water supplies cannot be guaranteed.

don't camp under large tree branches (especially River Red Gums) as they may drop unexpectedly and kill.

prevent bushfires by ensuring any camp fires are appropriate, controlled and not left unattended. Camp fires are not allowed on days of Total Fire Bans.

see ParkWeb for details and booking if needed. Parks Victoria ph: 131 963.

these are much harder to spot in the wild than kangaroos - you have to look up!

koalas do not normally share trees, and, in prime quality habitat, have territories ranging from 1.2 to 1.7 hectares.

koalas are nocturnal animals, and are most active just after sunset, and their calls at night can be very loud and intimidating to campers, although harmless if left alone.

avoid trying to pick up injured wildlife such as koalas as you may get injured from their claws - call the experts to assist on 136 186 or phone Wildlife Victoria's 24 hour animal rescue service on 13 000 WILDLIFE (13 000 94535).

Victoria has the highest population of koalas in the wild in Australia (and the world)

koalas need certain types of Eucalypt trees for nutrition and thus their distribution is restricted

in the 1830s, koalas were rarely encountered by European settlers. By the 1860s, koalas were increasing in population, possibly due to the decline in aboriginals who hunted them. By the early 1900s, koalas were heavily hunted by European settlers for their fur, which was exported to Europe. Consequently koala numbers crashed to very low levels.

from 1919 to 1924, eight million Koalas were killed for their furs.

koalas were almost wiped out in the 1920's but since then, sustained management programs have seen them occupy most available habitats in the state, to the extent that in some areas, there are too many placing strains on supply of suitable Eucalypt sources.

areas of over-population include Mt Eccles National Park, Snake Island, French Island, Raymond Island, and parts of the Otway forests.

of course, you can guarantee seeing one by visiting local zoos and wildlife centres such as Healesville Sanctuary or the Melbourne Zoo.

see http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/

the best place to go is Phillip Island where each night you can watch the penguins swim ashore and walk to their nests.

this is one of Victoria's top tourist attractions.

in many parts of Victoria, kangaroos are prevalent in the wild and pose a threat to cars at risk of hitting them as they jump across the road, this risk is highest at dawn and dusk, but also in the evening.

many golf courses have resident wild kangaroos that co-exist with golfers (eg. Anglesea in the Otways)

popular holiday spots with kangaroos nearby are the Grampians, the Otways, Phillip Island and places along the Murray River.