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australia:vic:campgroundsnearmelbourne

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

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
    • 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
    • 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
  • Trawool Wildlife Reserve Campground
  • 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:
    • 1hr 20min from CBD; near Gembrook; elevation 220m;
  • Nash Creek, Gembrook, Bunyip State Park
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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;
    • 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;
    • 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;
    • 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
  • 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
    • 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:
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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

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