The best camping spots near Melbourne in Victoria

When a caravan park offers itself as a location for wedding photos, you know it must have something going for it scenically. No fake sunset backdrops here, but the real thing: a stunning natural setting near the mouth of the Cumberland River. Craggy cliffs tower over the campground, which is backed by great walking tracks and fronted by the Great Ocean Road. Book well ahead for a prime riverfront site.

Best for: Lush, grassy sites right next to the ocean.
Distance from Melbourne: Two hours.

Surf’s up, guaranteed. Johanna Beach is a backup location for the Rip Curl Pro surfing comp in case Bells Beach is dead flat. As the tournament’s website says: "If there is any swell in the Southern Ocean, Johanna will pick it up. If the sandbanks are in great shape, you can get some of the best beach break waves in the world out there." The open grassy space behind the beach is the Great Ocean Road’s greatest free campground.

Best for: Experienced surfers.
Distance from Melbourne: Three hours.

It’s the biggest national park with a campground in the state, hosting up to 3,000 campers at a time. So where are they all? The expansive beach and the extensive network of hiking trails absorb the crowds and still leave space for privately contemplating the reflections in Tidal River at dusk. Catch a movie at the outdoor cinema or watch the live show in the campground: wombats, wallabies and echidnas doing their thing.

Best for: Hiking enthusiasts.
Distance from Melbourne: Four hours.

One of the whitest, sparkling-est, beaches on the Great Ocean Road is right here at Marengo Holiday Park and you don’t even need to cross the street to get to the water. Enrol in surf school, practise yoga on the beach or rent a sea kayak – the shops and services in Apollo Bay, within walking distance, can sort everything you need.

Best for: Dog owners – your pooch is welcome all year round!
Distance from Melbourne: Three hours.

Get in quick: Lake Catani campground is open until the end of April, then it closes for the snow season. Autumn is a top time of year to visit the high country – Bright and Beechworth are ablaze with deciduous colour and the farm gates of the Milawa gourmet trail are in full production. The air is crisp for invigorating walks on the Mt Buffalo plateau, followed by a hot shower at the campground, where peaceful campsites are nestled among the snow gums.

Best for: A proper High Country experience.
Distance from Melbourne: Four hours.

Pitch a tent on the fringes of a once-bustling gold mining town at Blackwood Mineral Springs Caravan Park. Immersed in Wombat State Forest, amenities are abundant with a camp kitchen, coin-operated BBQs and communal campfires perfect for those who prefer a few creature comforts. Find the most serene sites along the Lerderderg River and head to the soda and mineral springs to sip on the freshest water imaginable.

Best for: Riverside bliss.

Distance from Melbourne: One and a half hours.

Lerderderg State Park is a playground for adventure lovers, with hiking, mountain biking, boating and four-wheel driving just some of the activities on the menu. When you need a scenic spot to rest up, Lerderderg Campground is the ideal choice thanks to its spacious sites and clean toilets. You’re also welcome to bring your dog and make the most of the firepits. Best of all, staying here won’t cost you a cent.

Best for: Adventure lovers.

Distance from Melbourne: One and a half hours.

On the site of an old sawmill, there’s little chance of hearing the blades roar into action amid the lush surrounds of Cooks Mill Campground. Flanked by peppermint, blackwood and red stringybark gum trees deep in the Cathedral Range State Park, this now tranquil setting offers unmarked spots for tents, trailers and campervans. Take a trek to the nearby mountain peaks or roam the Friends Nature Walk along a long abandoned tramway.

Best for: Peaceful hiking. 

Distance from Melbourne: Two and a half hours.

Enjoy an easy-to-reach bush escape at Clonbinane’s Number One Camp. Set amid Mount Disappointment – named so because colonial explorers Hume and Hovell couldn’t spot Port Phillip Bay through the dense foliage – you won’t have any such problems relishing this quiet landscape. With popular bike trails and hiking tracks spreading in all directions, consider tackling the Summit Walk or moseying to the stunning Strath Creek Falls.

Best for: Low-key recreation.

Distance from Melbourne: One and a half hours.

Fancy a dip in the bay? Emerge from your tent or camper at the crack of dawn to discover what makes the Balnarring Beach Foreshore Reserve such a great camping spot. Featuring three campgrounds, creatively known as A, B and C Reserves, you’ll find powered and unpowered sites alongside toilet blocks, camp kitchens and even laundry facilities. Just know you’ll have to leave the dog at home, and fires are banned in the camping reserves.

Best for: Refreshing morning swims.

Distance from Melbourne: One and a half hours.

Boar Gully Campground is for those seeking an abundance of silence. Tucked into the Brisbane Ranges beyond Melbourne’s western fringe, this placid little spot offers six campsites for tents and a single place for caravans. Perfect for a weekend escape, the campground also serves as the start or finish line for the 3-day Burchell Trail if you’re feeling adventurous. For a particularly scenic visit, head along in spring to catch blooming wildflowers and orchids.

Best for: Peaceful solitude.

Distance from Melbourne: One and a half hours.

Scenic is the operative word when it comes to camping at Murrindindi Scenic Reserve. With six designated campgrounds spread across 815 hectares, this picturesque environment combines waterfalls, forests and fern-covered gullies to create an enchanting experience. As for which site to choose, the SEC Campground on the far side of the river is perhaps the most beautiful of the bunch. However, you’ll have to lug your gear about 200 metres from the carpark over the old suspension bridge.

Best for: Ever-changing nature.

Distance from Melbourne: Two hours.

Looking for a pristine island escape? You might be shocked to learn a striking spot is easily within reach of Melbourne. Accessible via a quick ferry ride from Stoney Point, French Island’s Fairhaven Campsite is a scenic hideaway primed for soaking up bayside sunsets and blissful isolation. Plus, it has some of the best facilities you’ll likely find at a free campsite, with covered picnic areas, modern toilets and electric BBQs. Bring a bike to explore the island on two wheels.

Best for: Island getaways without leaving town.

Distance from Melbourne: Two hours.

Find a small slice of serenity at the Latrobe River Camping Area. Surrounded by narrow-leaved peppermint and soaring mountain ash trees, the sound of the nearby river provides a relaxing wake-up call. Then, it’s time to lace up your hiking boots and trek to fascinating landmarks like the Ada Tree – one of Victoria’s tallest trees – and the Seven Acre Rock Lookout. There are only eight campsites, so have a backup plan if arriving during peak season.

Best for: Enjoying the sounds of nature.

Distance from Melbourne: Two hours.

Set in a natural valley alongside the Howqua River, Sheepyard Flat is a popular camping spot for High Country adventures. Dog-friendly and decked out with convenient facilities, you’ll have easy access to numerous bushwalking tracks, hilltop huts with panoramic views, and much-loved fishing spots perfect for casting a line. This sprawling site has plenty of shade for summertime visits, but stay mindful of falling tree limbs.

Best for: Crystal-clear waters.

Distance from Melbourne: Three hours.

Nestled into a narrow basalt gorge on Freestone Creek, the Blue Pool offers an idyllic camping ground ideal for sweltering summer days. Enveloped by native forest and a rocky pebble beach, the transparent water makes for a refreshing escape when temperatures rise. Meanwhile, each of the 12 campsites has its own fire pit and picnic table. It gets busy over long weekends, so pick a quieter time if you’re keen on maximum hush.

Best for: Picture-perfect swimming.

Distance from Melbourne: Three hours.

Make camp along the coastline with an overnight trip to Bear Gully. Situated amid the rugged beauty of Cape Liptrap Coastal Park, this large shaded campsite is tough to beat when seeking unbeatable proximity to the shoreline. At night, it’s stargazing galore against a soundtrack of crashing waves. Plus, you’re almost certain to encounter friendly wildlife like wombats and echidnas rummaging through the bush. Camping is free, but bookings are required.

Best for: Wildlife encounters.

Distance from Melbourne: Three hours.