Free Camping in Victoria; 32 magic spots that cost nothing
Keen to find some absolutely magic camp sites that are totally free, in Victoria? This post covers a huge chunk of them!
We weren’t really sure what to expect rolling into Victoria, but were quickly shocked at how many free camps there are, and that feeling only grew the longer we stayed. The thing that was most impressive though, was how good the Free Camping in Victoria actually is.
We spent very little on camping fees in this magic state overall, and it was almost entirely due to the insane number of free camp sites around.
If you are chasing amazing places to camp in Victoria that will cost you absolutely nothing, this covers every place that we went to. There’s some truly awesome ones, with great amenities and near amazing places.
We didn’t even get to finish our travels through Victoria (which means more Camp Sites in Victoria), but there’s even now, there’s no shortage of spots to enjoy without spending a cent on camping fees, below. To make it easier, you can see our Lap of Australia itinerary, and anything orange is free camping.
Fort O’hare
Our first night in Victoria after crossing in from South Australia was at Fort O’hare, and its a beautiful place to pull in for a night or two.
There’s a massive, grassy area with ample room to park a substantial number of vehicles, and you can take a short stroll around town, or along the edge of the beautiful river.
Amenities: Drop Toilets
Style of camping permitted: All types
Pet Friendly: Yes
Fires permitted: Yes, in fire pits
How to book: No booking possible (or required)
Sawpit Free Campground
Our next free camp was Sawpit Free Campground, which is a ripper place to spend a few days. We wanted somewhere to hang out during the long weekend, and this proved to be a fantastic option.
It’s great bush camping, with plenty of 4WD tracks nearby or you can head into Portland, and explore a coastline that is nothing short of incredible.
Amenities: Drop Toilets
Style of camping permitted: All types
Pet Friendly: Yes
Fires permitted: Yes, in fire pits
How to book: No booking possible (or required)
Annya Campground
On our way up towards the Grampians, we called in at Annya Campground, which is another beautiful state forest camping area, that will cost you absolutely nothing.
This is tucked off the main road, and has a nice, big and flat camping area with a number of fire pits around the place.
You’ll likely see a number of Koala’s here, and we enjoyed a day sitting around camp and just soaking up the beautiful area. There’s plenty of room for other people to camp here, but its generally nice and quiet.
Amenities: Drop Toilets
Style of camping permitted: All types
Pet Friendly: Yes
Fires permitted: Yes, in fire pits
How to book: No booking possible (or required)
Glendinning
If you’re after water front camping in Victoria, Glendinning is a ripper place. This is a massive dam, with fantastic free camping around a big chunk of it.
We spent a couple of nights here to wait out some bad weather, and completely fell in love with it. It’s private, easy to get to, stunning beyond words and well and truly worth a look.
Amenities: Drop Toilets at the main campground, and nothing further away
Style of camping permitted: All types
Pet Friendly: Yes
Fires permitted: Yes
How to book: No booking needed
Plantation Campground
The Grampians are a mind blowing place, with lots of great hikes, natural attractions and things to see.
We had one of our best Caravan Park stays at Halls Gap Lakeside Park, but also really enjoyed a couple of nights free camping at Plantation Campground, which is only a short drive away from Halls Gap.
We used this as a base to check out Beehive Falls, and do the Mt Difficult 4WD track, and really liked it. This place does get very busy though, so arrive earlier if you want a spot!
Amenities: Drop Toilets, and cold showers (BYO water)
Style of camping permitted: All types
Pet Friendly: Yes
Fires permitted: Yes, in fire pits
How to book: No booking needed
Aire Crossing Campground
We were quite shocked to find stunning rainforest down in Victoria, and we were even more staggered to find a tiny, beautiful camp ground in the middle of it.
Aire Crossing Campground is accessible down a windy gravel track, and is one of the smallest camp sites that we’ve ever seen, but we managed to get our Reconn R2 into one of the sites, and completely and utterly fell in love with it.
There’s some great 4WD tracks further on, but the Aire Crossing is a great place to have a splash, flick some lures around or just marvel at the amazing scenery.
Amenities: Drop toilets, and a water tank (boil before drinking)
Style of camping permitted: Only very small setups (tents, roof tops, swags or tiny campers)
Pet Friendly: No
Fires permitted: No
How to book: First come, first served
Beauchamp Falls Campground
As we travelled through Victoria, it seemed like the free camping just got better and better.
Beauchamp Falls are completely and utterly worth visiting for the hike down to the cascading water, but the camping here is next level, especially if you can get a spot overlooking the valley, and pine plantations.
We ended up spending 3 great nights here, and fell in love with the Redwoods, Beauchamp Falls itself and the amazing sunsets from camp, overlooking the pine plantation.
Amenities: Drop toilets, fire pits, picnic tables
Style of camping permitted: All types
Pet Friendly: Yes
Fires permitted: Yes
How to book: First come, first served
Meredith Park Campground
On the other side of the Lake at Colac is a big, but very popular free camp called Meredith Park Campground.
We headed to Colac to restock, after basically running out of food on the Great Ocean Road (and wanting to avoid the weekend on that road), and spent a couple of nights at Meredith Park.
This is incredibly busy, and the lake can be very windy, but it is free, and you can’t really complain about it!
Amenities: Flushing toilets
Style of camping permitted: All types
Pet Friendly: Yes
Fires permitted: Yes, in fire pits
How to book: No bookings required or possible
Tanners Bend
If you want to avoid the expensive caravan parks on the Great Ocean Road, you can head inland a bit, and you’ll find Tanners Bend, and Hammonds Road North.
We were going to stay at Tanners Bend, but it was full of horse trailers when we arrived, and we didn’t feel the vibe (as weird as that sounds), and we kept moving.
It does seem like a decent free camp though, but we thought Hammonds Road North was a lot nicer.
Amenities: Drop toilets
Style of camping permitted: All types
Pet Friendly: Yes
Fires permitted: Yes, in fire pits
How to book: No bookings possible
Hammond Road North
If you like bush camping, Hammond Road North is for you. This is a lovely, quiet camp site not far from the Great Ocean Road, and its got some really decent sized sites.
We spent a couple of nights here, and did day trips finding the various 4WD tracks near the Great Ocean Road, and really liked it as a spot to camp.
We thought this was a lot nicer than Tanners Bend, and despite it being busy and popular, it remained really quiet.
Amenities: Drop toilets
Style of camping permitted: All types
Pet Friendly: Yes
Fires permitted: Yes, in the fire pits
How to book: No bookings possible
Amblers Crossing
If you have a 4WD, and a sense of adventure, you can get to a ripper camp site in the Lerderderg State Park. We dragged our Reconn R2 in after getting advice from two of the rangers, and ended up with a brilliant spot perched over a little creek, with a beach for the kids to relax in.
This was a great base during the week, with almost no one else seen for two days, and we headed out to do the Lerderderg and Blackwood 4WD tracks, and explore the area nearby.
Amenities: Fire pits
Style of camping permitted: 4WD access only, with small off road trailers
Pet Friendly: Yes
Fires permitted: Yes, in the fire pits only
How to book: No bookings possible
Lerderderg Campground
There’s no shortage of places to camp in the Lerderderg State Park, and the formal Lerderderg camp ground is the perfect example of this.
The campground is absolutely massive, and has a huge number of spots that you can pull into and camp. We didn’t stay here as none were water front and they had a dozer operating all day, but its easy to get to, free and quite a decent spot to spend a night or two.
Amenities: Drop Toilets
Style of camping permitted: All types
Pet Friendly: Yes
Fires permitted: Yes, in fire pits
How to book: No bookings possible
Cobaw State Forest
If you’re keen on exploring some pretty gnarly 4WD tracks close to Melbourne, you’ll love the Cobaw State Forest.
This has a big, cleared area that you can camp in, and during the middle of the week its nice and quiet. On the weekend its busy and noisy with trailbike riders, but its quite scenic, and we enjoyed a night here.
Amenities: No amenities
Style of camping permitted: All types
Pet Friendly: Yes
Fires permitted: Yes, in designated fire pits and in season
How to book: No bookings possible
Keppel creek near Cooks Mill
If you’re after a basic campground on the side of the road, Keppel Creek in Marysville State Forest is a great place to check out.
We camped down the road at Cooks Mill after doing a heap of 4WD tracks, which is bookable and a paid option, but probably nicer overall too.
Amenities: No amenities
Style of camping permitted: All types
Pet Friendly: Yes
Fires permitted: Yes, in fire pits and in season
How to book: No bookings possible
Lake Mountain
We’ve camped in some random places over the year, but never in the bitumen car park of a Ski Resort! Lake Mountain allows camping in their off season for free, and they’ve got access to some pretty incredible amenities, 24/7.
We really enjoyed seeing our first glimpse of the Victorian Alpine region here, and had a nice, cold night camped a few hundred metres away from the Ski Resort itself.
Amenities: Great flushing toilets and hot showers
Style of camping permitted: Anything suitable for a bitumen car park (probably not tents?!)
Pet Friendly: No
Fires permitted: No
How to book: No booking required
Big River State Forest
There’s a massive number of free camping areas in Big River State Forest, and we spent a good hour driving around trying to find the best one.
If you want a variety of camp sites that are on, or close to a nice creek, Big River State Forest is a really good option to check out.
Amenities: Drop toilets in some camp sites
Style of camping permitted: All types, with 4WD required for some sites
Pet Friendly: Yes
Fires permitted: Yes, in fire pits and in season
How to book: No bookings possible
Jack Scotts Campground
Woods Point completely blew our minds, and was our first real taste of the Victorian High Country, which quickly proved its one of the best places in Australia for 4WD tracks and camping opportunities.
We spent the weekend at Jack Scotts Campground, which is on the main road but just north of Woods Point, and had a really enjoyable time.
It’s surprisingly quiet, quick to get into the beautiful Woods Point area, and the creek and surrounds are nothing short of magnificent.
Amenities: Drop toilets
Style of camping permitted: All types
Pet Friendly: Yes
Fires permitted: Yes, in fire pits and in season
How to book: No bookings possible
Comet Flat
If you wanted to do better than Jack Scotts, you’d head to Comet Flat, and we very nearly did, but there were a couple of ascents and descents that I thought we might damage the Reconn R2 on, so we decided not to.
The camping at Comet Flat is absolutely beautiful, right next to an amazing creek and there’s 4WD tracks heading off in every direction. There is no phone reception here though.
Amenities: Drop toilets
Style of camping permitted: 4WD access only, and unsuitable for caravans
Pet Friendly: Yes
Fires permitted: Yes, in season
How to book: No bookings possible
Meringtons Campground
On our way down to Walhalla, we called in at Merringtons Campground and once again, were totally blown away by how good some of the Free Camping in Victoria is.
This place is big, has lots of grassy sites, a beautiful creek to walk to, a hut nearby and more 4WD tracks than you’d ever know what to do with.
We completely fell in love with Merringtons, and if it wasn’t for bad weather coming we’d have stayed a few more nights. It easily competes with the paid National Park camping in WA, but you don’t pay a cent to stay here. Amazing.
Amenities: Drop toilets, a water tank (boil before drinking), beautiful camp kitchen, fire pits
Style of camping permitted: All types, but you really need a 4WD to get here
Pet Friendly: Yes
Fires permitted: Yes
How to book: No bookings required
Coopers Creek
Walhalla is a stunning part of the Victorian High Country, and we spent a couple of nights camped at Coopers Creek, which was beyond beautiful.
There’s two big camping areas, both close to the beautiful river, with magic views and a few big goannas that wander around.
We did a heap of 4WD tracks here, and for how easy it is to get to, Coopers Creek is a ripper.
Amenities: Toilets, fire pits, picnic tables
Style of camping permitted: All types
Pet Friendly: Yes
Fires permitted: Yes
How to book: No bookings required
Bruntons Bridge
Not too far away from Coopers Creek and Walhalla itself lies Bruntons Bridge, which is a brilliant place to camp.
We only day tripped out here, but commented that a couple of the sites were even nicer than Coopers Creek, and that was hard to beat.
With a big red bridge, water crossings and 4WD tracks everywhere, this place is pure magic.
Amenities: Drop toilets and fire pits
Style of camping permitted: All types (but you really need a 4WD)
Pet Friendly: Yes
Fires permitted: Yes
How to book: No bookings required
Glengarry Pub
We love a good pub stay, and whilst they’re not technically free as you are expected to have a meal or buy some drinks in return for the use of their land, its a great excuse for a good evening.
We headed into Traralgon to stock up after a great couple of weeks in remote areas, and then had a night and meal at the Glengarry Pub, before heading back up towards Licola.
Amenities: None
Style of camping permitted: All types
Pet Friendly: No
Fires permitted: Yes, in their fire pit
How to book: No booking required, but speak to the pub before you pull in
Licola Free Camping
There are almost endless opportunities when it comes to camping in the Victorian High Country, and Licola is the perfect example of this.
If you head North East of the town (on the Southern side of the bridge), you’ll find hundreds of different places that you can camp, and some of them are right on the beautiful creek.
There’s amazing 4WD tracks here (like Mt Margaret), and we spent the weekend relaxing and enjoying another great High country area.
Amenities: Drop toilets (in some, but not all camps)
Style of camping permitted: All types
Pet Friendly: Yes
Fires permitted: Yes
How to book: No bookings required; first come, best dressed
Grannys Flat
One of our favourite free camps in Victoria is Grannys Flat, not far out of Jamieson. We had this during the week, and set up to kick back whilst it rained considerably for 3 days, and felt sad to leave.
There’s amazing camping on grassy sites, right next to a beautiful stream, and 4WD tracks that go everywhere.
In terms of scenery, this is up there with the best, and we cannot recommend it more highly.
Amenities: Toilets
Style of camping permitted: All types (but you really need a 4WD)
Pet Friendly: No
Fires permitted: Yes
How to book: No bookings required
Gallows Flat
Just up the road from Grannys Flat is Gallows Flat, which is another beautiful camp site in the Victorian High Country.
There’s a big sweeping bend in the creek here, with scenery that is as good as it gets. We didn’t camp here, but just visited for a few hours to flick some lures around, and enjoy more of the beautiful Jamieson area.
Amenities: Toilets
Style of camping permitted: All types (but you really need a 4WD)
Pet Friendly: No
Fires permitted: Yes
How to book: No bookings required
Mt Buller Staff Car Park
The Mt Buller area is super popular, and well worth a drive up, but there’s no camping available.
Instead, people are directed to the Mt Buller Staff Car Park during the summer months to camp, and despite a sign that states you aren’t meant to camp there, this was where we were directed.
It’s a great camping area, and you have quick access to Mt Buller, and Craigs Hut (along with a heap of other 4WD tracks if you please).
Amenities: None
Style of camping permitted: All types
Pet Friendly: Yes
Fires permitted: No
How to book: No booking possible (or required)
Craigs Hut
When the High Country is mentioned, most people know of Craigs Hut, and it in itself is a stunning place to visit with views that will take your breath away.
However, you can actually camp not too far away from Craigs hut, in the dedicated camp ground. It’s small and wouldn’t fit many people, but its a great option.
Amenities: Drop toilets
Style of camping permitted: 4WD access only
Pet Friendly: Yes
Fires permitted: Yes, in season
How to book: No bookings possible
Razorback Hut
On your way to Craigs Hut, you drive past Razorback Hut (a short detour off the circuit road), and there’s a number of places to camp here.
This is popular horse riding country and sometimes the huts are being used, but its a magic place to pull up and spend a night if you are nearby.
Amenities: Drop toilet
Style of camping permitted: 4WD access only
Pet Friendly: Yes
Fires permitted: Yes, in season
How to book: No bookings possible
Frys Flat
With a long weekend approaching, we headed out of the Mt Buller area, and into Howqua Flats. We’d been told Frys Flat was better than Sheepyard Flats, and would have to agree.
We spent 3 amazing nights camped with incredible scenery not far from Frys Hut, next to a beautiful stream that has stunning, babbling water.
We did a number of day trips from here, and rated this as one of the better camp sites in the Victorian High Country.
Amenities: Drop toilets
Style of camping permitted: All types, but a 4WD is really needed for clearance
Pet Friendly: Yes
Fires permitted: Yes, in season
How to book: No bookings possible
Sheepyard Flats
Next to Frys Flat lies Sheepyard Flats, and then there are a heap of other camping areas further towards Bluff and Lovicks Hut on the creek.
You really won’t go too wrong with any of these, including Sheepyard Flats, but we thought Frys Flat was better (especially in the far corner where we ended up camping!)
Amenities: Drop Toilets
Style of camping permitted: All types
Pet Friendly: Yes
Fires permitted: Yes, in fire pits
How to book: No booking possible (or required)
Lovicks Hut
The Victorian High Country Huts are nothing short of remarkable, and we thoroughly enjoyed exploring a huge number of them. Lovicks Hut is one of the larger huts, with a fun 4WD track to get to it, and we saw a fairly substantial number of people enjoying a night (or more) here. It would get freezing, but its stunning and a fantastic place to visit.
Amenities: Drop Toilets
Style of camping permitted: All types
Pet Friendly: Yes
Fires permitted: Yes, in fire pits
How to book: No booking possible (or required)
Teatree Campground
Our last free camp ground in Victoria (until we’re back for more!) was Teatree Campground, not far from Mt Buffalo. In actual fact, there’s three of these camp sites off the road (which is fairly quiet), and they’re all quite decent.
Amenities: Drop toilets
Style of camping permitted: All types
Pet Friendly: Yes
Fires permitted: Yes, in season and in fire pits
How to book: No bookings possible
Hopefully this post gives you some ripper places to check out, as the Free Camping in Victoria is truly epic. We’ll be back in a few months to explore a heap more free camps, and look forward to sharing them all with you!
