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Free and budget campsites: Victoria
Words Julija Zivanovic Pics Supplied
Welcome to part five of our free and budget camping spots series by state — this time we’re covering busy Victoria. Keep reading to discover some awesome spots that won’t break the bank!
Victoria is home to the famous Twelve Apostles found on the spectacular Great Ocean Road (Credit Getty Images)
If you missed the first (Queensland), second (Northern Territory), third (Western Australia) and fourth (South Australia) parts of this series, just hit the corresponding links to catch up. Otherwise, welcome to part five where we’ll cover the best free and budget campsites of our country’s most jam-packed state, Victoria. If you’re after lush forest, unique experiences and the country’s best food, then look no further than Vic for your next camping adventure.
Victoria’s regions
Victoria — known for its gourmet food, stunning multifaceted landscapes, the Victorian High Country, the Yarra Valley wine region, The Great Ocean Road (including the Twelve Apostles), its gold rush and being home to the country’s most populated city, Melbourne — is made up of 21 regions.
As can be seen on the map above, these are known as the Mallee, Wimmera, Western Grampians, Great Ocean Road, Central Highlands, Bendigo Loddon, Spa Country, Ballarat, Macedon, Geelong and Bellarine, Central Murray, Murray East, Goulburn, Melbourne, Melbourne East, Upper Yarra, Peninsula, Phillip Island, Gippsland, Lakes and High Country. We’ll try to cover as many of these as we can as we delve into some of Victoria’s best free and budget-friendly camping spots.
Camping grounds
Devil Cove Camping Area, Upper Yarra
As per the Premier’s announcement, camping at 131 of Parks Victoria’s paid campgrounds will be free of charge between 1 December 2024 and 30 June 2025.
This lakeside campground on the banks of the beautiful Lake Eildon is only a 2.5-hour drive northeast of Melbourne. The Upper Yarra region is bursting with lush, green forest and national parks to enjoy. Devil Cove camping ground is in a perfect location for lake-based activities such as water skiing, kayaking, wakeboarding and fishing. Or if you’re after a tipple, Buller Road Brewery is just a hop, skip and a jump away.
This fairly priced campground ($28.60 per vehicle per night, maximum six guests per site) offers unpowered sites for tents, caravans and campervans. Facilities include hot showers, flushing toilets, picnic tables and shared fireplaces. Although please be advised that no fires are permitted on individual campsites and BYO firewood.
All conventional vehicles can access this campground, and bookings are required via the Parks Victoria website which is linked below.
Contact: bookings.parks.vic.gov.au/book or 13 19 63
Johanna Beach Campground, Great Ocean Road
As per the Premier’s announcement, camping at 131 of Parks Victoria’s paid campgrounds will be free of charge between 1 December 2024 and 30 June 2025.
Johanna Beach is the perfect place to enjoy a break from city life
One of your author’s personal favourites, Johanna Beach at the southernmost point of Victoria’s Otways — three hours drive southwest of Melbourne — has a perfectly tucked away and secluded campground which is a steal at $15.10 per vehicle per night (max. six guests per site). The beach only a hundred or so metres from the camping area is a great place to relax and enjoy beach-based activities such as swimming, surfing and fishing.
There are 25 unpowered sites set among lush trees to choose from but not much in the way of amenities apart from drop toilets and a few sheltered picnic areas. Campers must be self-sufficient including water.
All conventional vehicles can access this campground, and bookings are required via the Parks Victoria website which is linked below.
Contact: bookings.parks.vic.gov.au/book or 13 19 63
*FREEBIE* Red Bluff Campground, Gippsland
As per the Premier’s announcement, camping at 131 of Parks Victoria’s paid campgrounds will be free of charge between 1 December 2024 and 30 June 2025.
This free, coastal campground in the beautiful Gippsland region is just down the road from Lakes Entrance and approximately a three-hour drive east of Melbourne. There’s plenty to do in the area, including exploring Ninety Mile Beach, the town of Loch Sport, the Lakes National Park, Blond Bay Wildlife Reserve, Rotamah Island, and a bit further along is Snowy River National Park.
The campground is ideal for self-contained travellers with sites suitable for tents, camper trailers and caravans (six people max. per site). Amenities include toilets, boat ramp, barbecue areas and water (not suitable for drinking), therefore campers must be fully self-sufficient including drinking water.
All conventional vehicles can access this campground, and bookings are required via the Parks Victoria website which is linked below.
Contact: bookings.parks.vic.gov.au/book or 13 19 63
Caravan parks
Kyabram Caravan & Tourist Park, Central Murray
This very fairly priced caravan park is about a 2.5-hour drive north of Melbourne, close to the Murray River and the New South Wales border. Also not far from both Echuca and Shepparton, this quaint park is a great place from which to explore the Central Murray region.
Accommodation options include family cabins, cabins with ensuites, on-site vans and a range of powered, tent and drive-through sites — a massive 50 sites in total. Amenities available to campers include hot showers, washing machines and dryers, barbecue and full camp kitchen. Fees apply and all conventional vehicles can access the park.
Contact: 03 5852 2153
Omeo Caravan Park, Lakes
The Hema Map Patrol stayed at Omeo Caravan Park during our Victorian High Country expedition in March this year
Omeo Holiday Park is about a five-hour drive northeast from Melbourne which takes you through beautiful mountain ranges on the scenic Great Alpine Road. Sitting at approximately 750 metres above sea level, this accommodating caravan park in the heart of the Vic High Country has plenty to offer and is a great place to base yourself when exploring the surrounding area — especially the plethora of awesome four-wheel driving tracks.
The park offers several accommodation options — ranging from renting a set-up caravan or tent to stay in, to a bunch of powered and unpowered sites suitable for caravans, campervans, motorhomes and tents. Facilities are plenty, including two full amenities blocks, games room, kids’ playground, barbecue, dump point and much more. Fees apply and all conventional vehicles can access this park.
Contact: omeoholidaypark.com or 03 5152 5646
Wangaratta Caravan Park, High Country
Nestled towards the top of the Vic High Country, approximately a three-hour drive northeast from Melbourne, this caravan park is a great location from which to enjoy nearby 4WD tracks, bushwalking, birdwatching and much more.
Wangaratta is also Australia’s home of jazz with the annual Wangaratta Festival of Jazz held there. The festival continues to grow since its inception in 1990, offering 90 events and more than 350 national and international artists performing each year.
Accommodation options are various, including powered caravan and camping sites, budget ensuite cabins and two-bedroom family cabins and cottages. There are also pet-friendly powered sites available on request.
Facilities include a solar-heated swimming pool, camp kitchen with two electric barbecues, fridge, microwave, table and chairs, kids’ playground, enclosed dogs’ playground, clean amenities block, laundry facilities and more. Fees apply and all conventional vehicles can access this park.
Contact: wangarattacaravanpark.com.au or 03 5721 3368
Bush camps
*FREEBIE* Horseyard Flat, Gippsland
This classic bush camp on the way to the famous Billy Goat Bluff track from Licola is about a five-hour drive northeast of Melbourne. It’s right in the thick of the High Country, near to many super-fun 4WD tracks and stunning viewpoints. The nearby towns of Dargo and Licola offer plenty of true bush hospitality if you want to explore the area and its history.
The camping area itself is quite bare, including only a long drop toilet and non-potable water, so all campers must be fully self-sufficient (inc. drinking water). The sites are suitable for tents, caravans and camper trailers, however, please be advised that there is no booking system, so sites operate on a first come, first served basis. A four-wheel drive vehicle is required to access this bush camp.
*FREEBIE* Limestone Creek Camping Area, Lakes
Limestone Creek Camping Area is a lovely little spot to enjoy the serenity
Not too far from the NSW border, this free bush camp is a scenic six-and-a-bit-hour drive northeast from Melbourne, nestled in Alpine National Park. The surrounding area is simply stunning with mountains and lush forest in every direction (Australia’s tallest peak, Mt Kosciuszko is only 65km away). Activities to enjoy in the area include four-wheel driving, hiking and just enjoying the peaceful, natural surroundings away from the big smoke.
Facilities are bare, including only toilets and a picnic table, so all campers must be completely self-contained (this involves bringing plenty of drinking water and taking all your rubbish with you). Please be advised that this camping area only allows tent camping and is not suitable for caravans, motorhomes, big rigs, etc. A 4WD vehicle is required to access this bush camp.
*FREEBIE* Manna Gums Picnic Area, Spa Country
This bush camp in the Mount Beckworth Scenic Reserve is located just over two hours drive northwest from Melbourne. You can enjoy a variety of activities in the area including bushwalking (the Mouth Beckworth Summit Walk starts behind the campground) and four-wheel driving, and Victorian country gems Ballarat and Daylesford are both only 30 minutes away by car.
Free camping at its best, this campground has fire pits, picnic tables and a wood-fired barbecue, however there are no toilets or drinking water so campers must be fully self-sufficient. Due to the surrounding foliage it’s not unusual for trees to randomly drop limbs — therefore be sure not to set up your tent below a tree. Access is possible for all vehicles in dry weather but in wet conditions a four-wheel drive is necessary.
Overnight rest areas
*FREEBIE* Cherrypool Highway Park, Western Grampians
Free camping at Cherrypool Highway Park is private and peaceful
This free overnight rest area is a four-hour drive northwest of Melbourne, near to Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park for epic scenery and hiking and Rocklands Reservoir for fishing. Next to the Glenelg River, this campsite offers a tranquil spot for campers to enjoy, plus it’s a perfect base from which to explore the surrounding area.
Amenities are limited to toilets, picnic tables and a rubbish bin, however that’s about it so campers must be completely self-sufficient including drinking water. Due to being a free campground with no booking system, sites operate on a first in, best dressed basis. Again, please do not set up your tent below River Red Gum trees, as they are known to drop branches randomly. All conventional vehicles can access this camp.
*FREEBIE* Powelltown Rest Area, Melbourne East
This rest area about a 1.5-hour drive east from Melbourne offers free camping for up to 24 hours — ideal for quick overnight stays while exploring the surrounding locale. Nearby are Bunyip State Park and Yarra Ranges National Park, both with plenty of scenic bushwalking available and a wealth of incredible lookouts. Little Yarra River is also close by.
The rest area accommodates caravans, motorhomes and big rigs, and there is plenty of shade among the tall trees. Facilities are limited to picnic tables, rubbish bins and a toilet block, and there is no drinking water, so campers must be self-sufficient if staying here. All conventional vehicles can access the rest area.
*FREEBIE* Smythesdale Gardens Rest Area, Ballarat
This free overnight rest area (two hours from Melbourne by car) is a great spot to stay on a budget when on your next Victorian road trip. Ballarat is a regional Vic gem made famous by the 1850s gold rush with plenty to offer in the way of activities and natural beauty.
You can pick from panning for gold at Sovereign Hill, enjoying the beautiful foliage at Ballarat Botanical Gardens, viewing art at the historical Art Gallery of Ballarat — and plenty more! Not to mention nearby is the cute tourist town of Daylesford, with plenty of gourmet food and vintage shops to enjoy.
The area itself is massive, allowing plenty of space for each site. The campground is also surprisingly well-facilitated, with undercover picnic areas, free electric barbecue, power points, fireplace, picnic tables, water taps, playground, showers, toilets, rubbish bins and a caravan dump point. All vehicles can access the rest area.
Contact: 0418 503 938
Get your copy today!
If you enjoyed learning about Victoria’s best free and budget camping spots and would like more information on each of the above (and more!) grab a copy of Hema’s Where to Camp Guide Australia available on the Hema Maps website and at leading outdoor retailers.
This guidebook was prepared in collaboration with the CMCA, Australia’s largest RV club. Listings are categorised as camping grounds, caravan parks, bush camps and overnight rest areas so you can easily determine which is right for you and your family.
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