australia:vic:campgroundsnearmelbourne
Table of Contents
non-commercial camp grounds for tents within 2 hours of Melbourne
see also:
- there are no camp grounds in the Dandenong Ranges - closest is Kurth Kiln camp ground
- there are almost no non-commercial camp grounds in west Gippsland or the south (beach) side of the Otways
- travel times are OFF-PEAK
- CHECK before you go especially after severe weather events as many may be closed due to storm or flood damage, or the roads inaccessible
those with toilets and hot showers
- Longridge, Warrandyte
- single group booking only for the whole campground for up to 40 people $182/n minimum 2 night booking
- peaceful place to camp along the Yarra River, kayaking, fishing, camp fires
- Mornington Peninsula Foreshore Camping
- no wood fires allowed; no pets; nightly fees range from $28/n off peak unpowered to $71 peak powered
- CLOSED over winter from end of April, re-opens late October;
- need to book well in advance (bookings generally open start of August) for peak periods such as summer school holidays
- Vaughan Springs camping area
- 1hr 15min from NW suburbs; only for few vans and 6 tents but its free
- Fryerstown community reserve
- $10/n; wood fired pizza oven and campfire circle available; undercover verandah with power to charge phones;
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- 1.5hrs from NW suburbs, lots of sites along the Loddon River $15/n pay at hotel
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- 2hrs from NW suburbs; free camp up to 5 days
- Greens Lake Recreation Reserve campground
- 2hrs from NW suburbs; near Rochester and also near Aysons Reserve camp ground (no showers)
- hot showers but no temperature control so can be a bit too warm
- large foreshore area mainly designed for boaters and fishers - may need to drive to get to the toilets it is that big
- quite exposed to wind and sun
- if you are not into boating, fishing or a hot shower perhaps give this one a miss - nearby Ayson's Reserve Camping Ground has a nicer ambience albeit no showers and less gravel roads/dust
- Fraser block at Lake Eildon
- 2hrs from northern suburbs, book via Parks Vic
- Candlebark area:
- 72 sites; no boat ramp;flush toilets, hot showers, drinking water, gas barbecues and picnic shelters; best for families and non-motorised water activities
- Devil Cove camping area
- not the preferred camp for families, best suited for walkers and nature lovers looking to relax, stroll to Merlo's Lookout for beautiful views.
- 79 camp sites; flush toilets, hot showers, drinking water, gas barbecues and picnic shelters; closed seasonally;
- Fraser Block / Lakeside camping area
- flush toilets, hot showers, drinking water, gas barbecues and picnic shelters; concrete boat ramp;
- 63 camp sites
- Molesworth recreation reserve
- 1hr 45min from NW subs; just past Yea; on the Goulburn River; $25/n tents for 2p; caretaker on site; online bookings for unpowered sites; phone bookings for powered.
- Loch Memorial Reserve near Korumburra
- 1.5hrs from CBD; booking and fee required; drinking water, firepits; 95m elevation;
- Bunyip recreation reserve near Drouin
- closed winter; fee; bookings;
- Heyfield Oval near Glenmaggie
- 2hrs from Dandenong
- coin showers
those with toilets but NO showers
north-west of Melbourne
- Lerderderg Campground
- 53min from NW suburbs; 1hr 15min from CBD via Gisborne; including 22min 12.5km on gravel 2WD dry weather road;
- toilets, fireplaces; ~530m elevation;
- this new campground replaces O'Brien's Crossing camp area which is now only a day visitors area
- Firth Park, Trentham
- 50min from NW suburbs; 1hr 16min from CBD; not great site, very cold; elevation ~700m;
- Ambler Lane campground Lerderderg
- dry 4WD or hike in only; no wood fires; no potable water;
- Redesdale Hotel
- 3 night max; fire pits;
- Glenlyon Rec Reserve
- 1hr 20 from CBD; 570m elevation; toilets; donation;
- Mt Beckworth, Clunes
- camp sites are ~400m elevation; Mt Beckworth hits 629m;
- Slaty creek camp ground Creswick
- 1.5hrs from CBD, good for panning for gold; ~520m elevation;
-
- 1hr from NW suburbs; 1.5hrs from CBD; ~650m elevation - similar temperatures as Woodend/Kyneton;
- Warburton's crossing near GlenLuce
- 1.5hrs from CBD near Vaughan Springs
- approx 300m elevation
- Mollison street, Malmsbury
- Lauriston rec reserve
- Mt Franklin Reserve
- 1.5hrs from CBD, near Daylesford, inside a volcanic crater - very cold in winter!
- 550m elevation in crater; Mt Franklin hits about 620m elevation;
- Maldon Mt Tarrengower Butt's Reserve
- 1hr 15min from NW suburbs; ~400m elevation; Mt Tarrengower hits 571m;
- Laanecoorie River Reserve
- 1.5hrs from NW suburbs; between Bendigo and Dunolly and NW of Maldon
- ~160m elevation;
- Waanyarra Camp ground
- 1hr 50min from NW suburbs; 2hr 10min from CBD; via Laanecoorie; 203m elevation;
- historic gold mining area, some buildings and old cemetery
- between Tarnagulla and Dunolly
- Eddington Park behind Community Centre
- Paddy's Ranges Maryborough, rain water tank but not potable?
- Moliagul campground
- Melville Caves camp ground, Kooyoora State Park
- 2hrs from NW suburb Melb via Calder and 24min past Newbridge; 380m elevation;
- nice massive boulder lookouts to explore plus 6km and 4.5km walks
- great view from Mt Brenanah
- Hard Hill Tourist Reserve, Wedderburn
- 2hrs from NW suburbs; 205m elevation;
- Notley camping area, Whipstick, north of Bendigo
- 2hrs from CBD; 205m elevation;
- Flat Rock camp site, Tallarook
- 1hr 20min from CBD; 630m elevation
- Freemans Camp Tallarook Ennis Rd
- near Flat Rock
- Dargile camping ground, Heathcote-Graytown National Park
- 2hrs from CBD; 230m elevation; ~3km of good gravel road to access it;
- has a nice ambience with some local short walks; dogs not allowed;
- a few level caravan sites but most of the camping sites are sloping set amongst a fairly dense, dry eucalypt ironbark forest (presumably do not drop branches much)
- brick shelter in the day picnic section which has some nice big old trees; unusually, has a flourishing grove of Sandalwood (NSW rainforest)
- exposed to regular traffic on the gravel Plantation Tk
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- near Elmore, 1hr 50min from NW suburbs; 126m elevation; nice spot on a relatively deep slow flowing river which is good for kayaks, fishing or swimming;
- flush toilets; large area, lots of flat sites, some shade spots - just don't camp directly under the river red gums!
- very popular with grey nomads and those with small boats (boat ramp which doubles as a swimming area)
- highly recommended for a weekend camp although you will get nearby traffic noise.
- Langi Ghiran Picnic And Camping Area, Warrak
- 2hrs from NW suburbs; 400m elevation;
NE of Melbourne
- Mt Disappointment / Clonbinane region (each of these you practically need to go back to the Hume Fwy to access)
- Anderson’s garden in Wandong Regional Park
- 55min from NW suburbs; 1hr 10min from CBD; near Wandong; ~350m elevation; next to creek, can be busy on wkends and not as much fun then, fairly flat but some motorbike noise; lots of space, picnic tables and firepits and 2 drop toilets; no caravan sites; 4WD track at end of camp site; vehicles must stay on road side of bollards so may not suit 4WD campers with awnings;
- 4G Telstra reception in 2023;
- 1.5hr 6km Sunday Creek loop walk - its OK for some exercise but nothing special
- 55min to Longwood Recreational reserve; 1hr to The Gums camp ground Kinglake; 71min to Water Gauge camp Murrundindi; 1.25hrs to Dargile camp ground Heathcote; 1.5hr to Aysons Reserve; 1.5hrs to Rubicon camp grounds near Eildon; 1.5hrs to Leanganook camp ground Mount Alexander on the Calder fwy
- Blairs Hut, Mt Disappointment, near Kinglake
- 65min from NW suburbs via Wallan ignore Google, stay on Mt Disappointment Rd else need 4WD!; elevation ~700m;
- nice 1.5hr summit walk; toilets; tent camping only;
- No 1 Camp just off Flowerdale Rd
- nice fairly remote spot, able to camp with vans or tents, lots of space, picnic tables and firepits and 2 drop toilets (much better for vans than Andersons gardens)
- there is also a separate horse camp over the road
- a bit of gravel roads to get there and can feel a bit too remote and desolate for some while others will love this aspect
- 1hr from NW suburbs via Wandong and Clonbinane; elevation ~560m; 7min drive to Strath Creek Falls; 33min to Flowerdale via Murchison Gap Lookout and Strath Creek; 30min to Flowerdale via Hazeldene; 1hr to Water Gauge campground Murrundindi via Flowerdale. 23min from Andersons Garden via Clonbinane; 35min to Blairs Hut via Mt Disappointment - 4WD only track;
- The Gums campground Kinglake NP
- 1hr 20min from CBD; 18 campsites; drop toilets; free communal gas barbeque; wood fireplaces; BYO water, firewood; ~330m elevation;
- small, damp, shaded campground amongst tall eucalypts
- short, narrow two-way entry/exit road tends to have deep pot holes
- Murrindindi Scenic Reserve may be a better option although at least at The Gums you can be guaranteed a site if you have booked it online
- Cherry Lane, Toolangi recreation reserve
- 48hr stays; 1hr 22min from NW suburbs; on the banks of Yea River (not suitable for swimming, kayaking or fishing); pleasant, shaded and well maintained area surrounded by tall Mountain Ash;
- an area for small caravans/campervans to park (BUT Not great for camper trailers or vans as it’s small), or you can carry your gear through a gate to set up tents on the grass; ~15 sites;
- non-potable tank ater; flush toilets; fireplace; electric BBQ;
- Donations can be made via BSB and Acct no. on signage;
- Two Hills campground, Toolangi State Forest, Glenburn
- 3-4 sites on rock hard ground; dusty, gravelled forest clearing on a broad ridge; well shaded by Peppermint and Messmate ;
- Popular with trail bikers so can be noisy and can be littered; resident black snake;
- similar but smaller site 300m up Two Hills Rd just before the Marginal Rd junction
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- 1hr 40mins from NW subs via Yarra Glen and Glenburn; 1hr 50min from NW subs via Hume fwy, Broadford, Flowerdale;
- 100 camp sites in 6 areas; 260m elevation; drop toilet; fireplace; stream but needs to be boiled for drinking; No dogs;
- Anderson's Mill Marysville
- 1hr 45min from CBD; 550m elevation;
- Cook's Mill Cathedral Ranges
- 2hrs from CBD; 360m elevation bookings
- Ned's Gully Cathedral Ranges
- Rubicon valley
- 2hrs from CBD; 310m elevation;
- adjacent to fast flowing small river, great for bathing in although water is generally cold, and nice walks along old waterways through forest
- Jerusalem Creek Lake Eildon
- 2hrs from northern suburbs; 300m elevation; book via https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/en/Bookings/Park/lake-eildon-national-park
- Trawool Wildlife Reserve Campground
- walk in camp on the north bank of the Goulburn River; 100m walk from carpark; 7 sites; no firepits; swimming holes and kayaking;
- Brooks river reserve camping
- near Alexandria on the Goulburn River; popular campsite during trout season
- 5 camp sites;
SE of Melbourne
- Upper Yarra Reservoir camping area:
- bookings - toilets at the reservoir
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- 1hr 20min from CBD; near Gembrook; elevation 220m;
- Nash Creek, Gembrook, Bunyip State Park
- small open grassy area for tents; vehicles must remain in the adjacent car park (furthest site is 100m from car park);
- 19km 30min drive east-south-east from Kurth Kiln; elevation 140m;
- Mortimer picnic ground in Bunyip State park
- tents but no vans; fire pits, drop toilets;
- Forest Rd Unloading Area, Labertouche, north of Bunyip/Drouin
- not for vans;
- Start of tramway, Smyth Ck Rd, Big Pats Creek south of East Warburton
- fire pits;
- 1hr 50min from NW suburbs; 1.5hrs from CBD; 200m elevation;
- Latrobe River campground between Powelltown and Noojee
- just under 2hrs from NW suburbs; forest site with bracken fern undergrowth; 320m elevation;
- nice campground with 8 sites all with fire pits, one large site near the entrance, 5 up around the top toilet and 2 down near the second drop loo. Short drive to the river;
- some bush sites as well;
- Starlings Gap picnic and camping area, north of Powelltown
- 1hr 40min from CBD; 760m elevation
- Toorongo Falls campground, Noojee
- large grassy campground adjacent the fast flowing fairly shallow river amongst forest and ferns, walk track to waterfalls; firepits;
- 2hrs from Melbourne
- Walhalla free camping
- ~2hrs from CBD via Moe
- Walhalla North Gardens Campground
- Coopers Creek
- Aberfeldy Bridge on Walhalla Rd
- not as well known as Coopers creek camp as it is 45min 26km to the north and near Thompson Reservoir, ie, 16km and 26min to north of Walhalla
- Fairhaven campground on west side of French Island;
- 6 sites, near ferry; must book, no charge;
- Longwarry Nth recreation reserve near Drouin
- toilets, water, bbqs, free; 1 night only;
SW of Melbourne
- Steiglitz Brisbane Ranges
- 70min from NW suburbs; online bookings; ~250m elevation in valley;
- Meredith Park 10min by car to Colac
- flush toilets, long narrow camping along foreshore, gets very windy, close to Otways, thefts from cars is problematic so ensure all valuables are locked away and out of view.
- Tanners Road Bend campground Otways, NW of Anglesea
- 1.5hrs from CBD; 180m elevation;
- Hammond Rd North, Wensleydale, Otways
- free;
- Hammond Rd, Wensleydale, Otways
- must book in advance; fee; 12km inland from Aireys Inlet in a natural bush setting. 16 sites;
- Lake Elizabeth Otways
- 2hrs 6min from CBD; 200m elevation bookings
- lots of mozzies and leaches as one might expect
- Stevenson’s falls Otways
- 2hrs from SW suburbs; 150m elevation;
- Dandos campground Otways
- 2.5hrs from CBD; 111m elevation
- Beauchamp Falls
- 2.5hrs from CBD; 452m elevation;
By elevation above sea level
- every 100m elevation is generally 1degC colder
under 200m elevation
- Mornington Peninsula Foreshore Camping
- Loch Memorial Reserve near Korumburra
- booking and fee required; hot showers, drinking water, firepits; 95m elevation;
- Ayson's Reserve, Burnewang
- 1hr 50min from NW suburbs; 126m elevation
- Stevenson’s falls Otways
- 2hrs from SW suburbs; 150m elevation;
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- 1.5hrs from NW suburbs; hot showers $15/n; ~155m elevation;
- Laanecoorie River Reserve
- 1.5hrs from NW suburbs; between Bendigo and Dunolly and NW of Maldon
- ~160m elevation;
- Tanners Road Bend campground Otways, NW of Anglesea
- 1.5hrs from CBD; 180m elevation;
- Lake Elizabeth Otways
- 2hrs 6min from CBD; 200m elevation
- Start of tramway, Smyth Ck Rd, Big Pats Creek south of East Warburton
- fire pits;
- 1hr 50min from NW suburbs; 1.5hrs from CBD; 200m elevation;
200-400m elevation
- Waanyarra Camp ground
- 1hr 50min from NW suburbs; 2hr 10min from CBD; via Laanecoorie; 203m elevation;
- historic gold mining area, some buildings and old cemetery
- between Tarnagulla and Dunolly
- Notley camping area, Whipstick, north of Bendigo
- 2hrs from CBD; 205m elevation;
- Hard Hill Tourist Reserve, Wedderburn
- 2hrs from NW suburbs; 205m elevation;
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- 1hr 20min from CBD; near Gembrook; elevation 220m;
- Dargile camping ground, Heathcote
- 2hrs from CBD; 230m elevation
- Steiglitz Brisbane Ranges
- 70min from NW suburbs; online bookings; ~250m elevation in valley;
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- 1.5hrs from CBD via Yarra Glen and Glenburn; 100 camp sites in 6 areas; 260m elevation; drop toilet; fireplace; stream but needs to be boiled for drinking; elevation ~340m;
- Vaughan Springs near Castlemaine
- 70min from NW suburbs; only 6 sites but has hot showers
- ~280m elevation near a lovely mineral spring picnic area and nice walks
- Warburton's crossing near GlenLuce
- 1.5hrs from CBD near Vaughan Springs
- approx 300m elevation
- Jerusalem Creek Lake Eildon
- 2hrs from northern suburbs; 300m elevation; book via https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/en/Bookings/Park/lake-eildon-national-park
- Rubicon valley
- 2hrs from CBD; 310m elevation;
- The Gums campground Kinglake NP
- 1hr 20min from CBD; 18 campsites; drop toilets; free communal gas barbeque; wood fireplaces; BYO water, firewood; ~330m elevation;
- Anderson’s garden in Wandong Regional Park
- 55min from NW suburbs; 1hr 10min from CBD; near Wandong; ~350m elevation;
- Cook's Mill Cathedral Ranges
- 2hrs from CBD; 360m elevation
- Melville Caves camp ground, Kooyoora State Park
- 2hrs from NW suburb Melb via Calder and 24min past Newbridge; 380m elevation;
- nice massive boulder lookouts to explore plus 6km and 4.5km walks
- great view from Mt Brenanah
- Langi Ghiran Picnic And Camping Area, Warrak
- 2hrs from NW suburbs; 400m elevation;
400-600m elevation
- Mt Beckworth, Clunes
- camp sites are ~400m elevation; Mt Beckworth hits 629m;
- Maldon Mt Tarrengower Butt's Reserve
- 1hr 15min from NW suburbs; ~400m elevation; Mt Tarrengower hits 571m;
- the nearby bush camps on north side of Mt Tarrengower Rd overlooking Maldon to NE are elevation 480m
- Slaty creek camp ground Creswick
- 1.5hrs from CBD, good for panning for gold; ~520m elevation;
- Lerderderg Campground
- 53min from NW suburbs; 1hr 15min from CBD via Gisborne; including 22min 12.5km on gravel 2WD dry weather road;
- toilets, fireplaces; ~530m elevation;
- this new campground replaces O'Brien's Crossing camp area which is now only a day visitors area
- Mt Franklin Reserve
- 1.5hrs from CBD, near Daylesford, inside a volcanic crater - very cold in winter!
- 550m elevation in crater; Mt Franklin hits about 620m elevation;
- Anderson's Mill Marysville
- 1hr 45min from CBD; 550m elevation;
- Glenlyon Rec Reserve
- 1hr 20 from CBD; 570m elevation; toilets; donation;
- Werribee River camp ground, Spargo Creek, north of Ballan
- 55min from NW suburbs; firepits but no toilets; ~590m elevation;
600-800m elevation
- Flat Rock camp site, Tallarook
- 1hr 20min from CBD; 630m elevation
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- 1hr from NW suburbs; 1.5hrs from CBD; ~650m elevation - similar temperatures as Woodend/Kyneton;
- Firth Park, Trentham
- 50min from NW suburbs; 1hr 16min from CBD; not great site, very cold; elevation ~700m;
- Blairs Hut, Mt Disappointment, near Kinglake
- 65min from NW suburbs via Wallan ignore Google, stay on Mt Disappointment Rd else need 4WD!; elevation ~700m;
- nice 1.5hr summit walk; toilets; tent camping only;
- Starlings Gap picnic and camping area, north of Powelltown
- 1hr 40min from CBD; 760m elevation
other camp grounds "bush camps" no toilets, limited facilities
- NW of Newstead area:
- Hamilton's Crossing Baringhup West
- Dunolly free campsite - no signs head NW from Dunolly along main st, turn R into the dirt rd just before railway crossing then after 100m turn R at 2nd track into campground
- Daisy Patch camping area Dunolly
- Newbridge Loddon River free camp Newbridge-Bridgewater Rd
- Arnold Town Hall picnic area near Newbridge on Bridgewater-Dunolly Rd
- power available, BBQs;
- Myrphy's Creek campground
- Longbush State forest camp
- Mount Alexander region:
- Oak Forest, Harcourt - no facilities and minimal spaces
- Powells Quarry, Mt Alexander - no facilities and minimal spaces
- Oven Rock campground, Elphinstone
- no facilities, but nice spot not for caravans though; 4km unsealed road (4WD if wet); sites are mostly unlevel ground;
- 1hr from NW suburbs; 1hr 25min from CBD; 490m elevation;
- Cobaw State Forest
- Metcalfe camp ground
- Chokem Flat Fryerstown
- Fryers Range State Forest near Glenluce ?4WD only
- Doug Stones Gold Map campsite in
- Hunters Track- 3 camp areas - Hunters Lane Northside camp is lovely beside creek bed
- Upper Loddon Bush camp 4WD
- Elmore region on the Campaspe River:
- see also Ayson's Reserve Camping Ground which has toilets
- Rocky Crossing, Goornong
- picturesque spot on the Campaspe River, where the water rushes through a fast moving, shallow, rocky section creating swirling rapids and a few seasonal rockpools, but the river near the camping area is deeper and better for kayaks
- Englishs Bridge Road, Goornong
- Barnadown Streamside Reserve
- Avonmore Streamside reserve
- steep bank here but good for fishing; plenty of space; 2WD access in dry conditions;
- west of Melbourne:
- Wombat state forest region mainly 4WD
- Wombat trail camp
- Countess track 4wd
- Hayden Track site
- Clear water creek
- Rock creek
- Margaret's Corner, Amblers Lane Track
- Balt camp, Blakevile
- Ambler Lane campground Lerderderg
- dry 4WD or hike in only; no wood fires; no potable water;
- Werribee River camp ground, Spargo Creek, north of Ballan
- 55min from NW suburbs; firepits but no toilets; ~590m elevation;
- Colbrook Reservoir just Nth of Ballan in Wombat State Forest
- 56min from NW suburbs; 4WD or hike access by rough, uneven dirt tracks, which will be muddy in wet weather - no signs, you will need GPS!
- stunning dam wall on SW side creating a great waterfall when overflowing; bushwalking, swimming, fishing, bush camping, and photography;
- Free camping is permitted at Colbrook Reservoir and the surrounding bush - there are a couple of clear areas which are great for camping on the shore of the reservoir, on the opposite side to the dam wall.
- Hunts Bridge Camping Area, Morrisons SW of Ballan via Mt Egerton
- 1hr from NW suburbs; shallow river for swimming; lots of sites for tents and RVs; fire pits;
- East of Melbourne:
- Bunyip Weir (Freemans Mill) near Powelltown/Gembrook
- hike in only camp
- Grimes camp, Narbethong
- not a great spot, access may need 4WD, deep puddles, not much room, lots of wasps
- Cliffview camp, Narbethong
- spectacular cliff; near the road; small site for up to 10 people in 1 group; tends to be littered;
- Lukas Camp East Warburton
- next to Yarra River and road, nice;
- NE of Melbourne:
- Perts streamside reserve near Yea
- ?Wyndham Streamside Reserve, Kerrisdale on Yea-Seymoyr Rd where King Parrot Creek joins Goulburn
- Todd Rock Mt Hickey Rd, Tallarook
- Kalatha Creek camps 1 & 2 and Aeroplane Track, Toolangi, near Glenburn
- 4WD access only
- Derek 1, Toolangi
- 4WD access only
- Trawool Reservoir camp
- 4WD access only, need high clearance;
- Otways:
- Goat track, Barwon Downs, Otways
- 4WD; dangerous roads when wet; seasonal closure;
other road side one night spots mainly for vans, generally NOT tents
- Sawpit Gully Reserve, Elphinstone
- 24hr limit; power, sheltered electric BBQs, picnic tables, toilet block, town water taps, water fountain and playground.
- Kyneton Mineral Springs Stopover - RVs and caravans only; limited spaces; 48hr limit; BBQ, toilets; noisy a next to main road.
- Gisborne roadside rest area - toilets, drinking water.
- George Bass Hotel in Bass near Phillip Island:
- must book and expected you use the hotel
- Korumburra Showground - toilets, water, power, donation.
- Korumburra rest area - no toilets
- Bunyip River rest area near Drouin - no facilities
- Gladysdale gravel pit - near Powelltown
- Powelltown Hall 3 sites only can use tent
- Old Glenburn pub site
- Broadford bowling club
- Trentham Sports ground (must have own toilet)
- Newstead Racecourse hot showers and toilets $10 donation
- Seymour Reserve, Northwood Rd on the Goulburn River - no tents; 3 day max
australia/vic/campgroundsnearmelbourne.txt · Last modified: 2023/03/24 16:06 by gary1