You don't need to drive for long to find some sweet camping spots near Melbourne
The best thing about the great outdoors is that it's for everyone to enjoy – whether you're an experienced caravanner, a bougie glamper or a fresh-faced camper who's got all the beginner's gear but no idea.
Victoria has no shortage of spectacular spots to pitch a tent – from scenic riverside sites to prime beachfront locations (and everywhere in between). Best of all, it was recently announced that more than 100 campsites across regional Victoria will be free to stay at this summer. If that doesn't make you want to grab your swag and hit the road we don't know what will.
Just remember that when you're camping you're in a shared space, not your own backyard. Be respectful, clean up after yourself and take heed of travel advice from Parks 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.
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.
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.
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.
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