Fancy going camping around Melbourne without hitting your wallet? We’ve curated a few of the best campsites in Victoria to catch great sunsets, may it be by the beach or in a forest. Spend your holidays in the most affordable way.
- Lederderg state park
Approximately about an hour away from CBD, you get the pristine Lerderderg River, isolated in native bushland. Recommended to use a 4WD drive, there are a number of free campsites. Fireplaces, picnic tables, and toilets are provided. It is a perfect place to wake up to chirping birds and have a serene bushwalk.
- Wombat State Forest
The drive is about one and a half hours from Melbourne, the forest is situated between Melbourne and Castlemaine. The well-defined tracks are incredibly beautiful. There are three free campsites within Firth Park, you need to build your own campfire here. There’s an eight-kilometer loop trail of a bushwalking trail if you fancy.
- French island
One and half hours from Melbourne CBD along with a fifteen-minute ferry ride.
It’s quite a task to get here but, it’s all worth the crazy trek. Fairhaven Campsite is located on French Island, which is the largest coastal island of Victoria, home to 20 free campsites. you can cycle the REdbill Manna Gum Woodland Ride, see koalas and shorebirds, also explore the salt marsh and take in the views over Western Port Bay. While the campsites are free, bookings are essential through the Park Victoria website.
- Lake Burrumbeet
A two-hour drive from Melbourne, CBD. This large shallow lake is a fantastic and popular recreational destination for fishing and watersports. For the fishing enthusiasts, you could catch some redfin perch, short-finned eel, and Australian smelt. A great place to come on a holiday with family.
- Mount Franklin Reserve
How quirky and unique to camp inside a volcano? Two hours away from Melbourne CBD, you get to camp inside a small volcanic crater at Mount Franklin Reserve. Camping here is completely free and you get access to toilets, washing water, and fireplaces. This place is incredibly lush and serene with huge conifers and streams slicing through the land.
- Butts Reserve
Two hours drive to this beautiful Butts reserve that offers ten free campsites nestled beneath the Tarrengower lookout tower. They offer woodfires, toilets, and drinking water. Also, you are just five minutes drive away from Maldon, an Australian preserved gold mining town that was awarded “the most intact heritage streetscape” in 2006.
- Great Otway National Park
One of the most scenic drives is two and a half hours from Melbourne CBD if you are driving the great ocean road. It is one of the best places in Victoria to have a cool-temperature rainforest. Near the picturesque Stevensons Falls is the campground with around 50 free campsites. The great thing is this place is accessible by smaller cars and caravans.
- 90 Mile Beach
A three-hour drive from Melbourne CBD, the 90-mile beach is along the coast of East Gippsland, it is one of the longest stretches of sand in the world. They offer 20 large free camping areas which are located less than 100 meters from the beach. Ideal camp tour for the ones keen on fishing and swimming.
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