Camping is meant to be the most affordable holiday, but it's easy to get bogged down by campsite fees. If you're happy to forego extra amenities, there are heaps of free campsites that you can take advantage of across Victoria. Soak up ocean views at beachside campsites, wake up on Victoria's largest coastal island or marvel at deciduous forests and tall gum trees.
The list is ordered from closest to furthest from the Melbourne CBD, in case you can only make time for a one-night trip or if you're itching for a long-distance getaway. And bear in mind that by nature of being free, all but one are first in, best dressed — something to keep in mind during the peak season and over long holidays.
One hour from the Melbourne CBD.
About one hour west of the CBD is the Lerderderg State Park, in which the pristine Lerderderg River (known by the locals as 'the Lerdy') meanders through native bushland. If you have a 4WD, you can enter Amblers Crossing and take your pick of a number of free campsites. Toilets, fireplaces and picnic tables are supplied, and after a good night's sleep, you can wake up to the song of native birds or set off on a serene bushwalk.
One and a half hours from the Melbourne CBD.
This state forest is essentially the halfway point between Melbourne and Castlemaine, and despite being incredibly beautiful and chock-full of well-defined tracks, you're usually unlikely to come across many other campers while here. There are three free campsites here within Firth park, and while there aren't any built fireplaces on the grounds, you can have a campfire as long as local fire restrictions permit. If you're keen on a bushwalk, you can embark on an eight-kilometre loop trail that'll bring you right back to the campsite.
One and a half hours from Melbourne CBD, plus a 15-minute ferry ride.
It's a bit of a mission to get here, but once you arrive, you'll realise it was worth the trek. Fairhaven Campground is located on French Island, the largest coastal island of Victoria, and houses 20 free campsites. To get here, you'll drive to Stony Point, hop aboard with Western Port Ferries then head on a five-kilometre trek to the campgrounds. Here, you can cycle the REdbill Manna Gum Woodland Ride, see koalas and shorebirds, explore the saltmarsh and take in the views over the Western Port Bay. While the campsites are free, bookings are essential through the Parks Victoria website.
Two hours from the Melbourne CBD.
This shallow but large lake just west of Ballarat is a popular destination for recreational watersports and fishing. The area was once inhabited by the Burrumbeet balug clan of the Wada Wurrung people, and as a result, artifacts and tools have been recovered along the northern edge of the lake. For those who enjoy fishing, your most likely catches here are redfin perch, short-finned eel, flat-headed gudgean, Australian smelt and European carp.
Two hours from the Melbourne CBD.
Have you ever wanted to camp inside of a volcano? Well, that'd be pretty dangerous, but the next best thing is camping inside of the small volcanic crater at Mount Franklin Reserve. It's incredibly lush, with huge conifers and deciduous trees dotting the area and streams slicing through the surrounding land. Located near Daylesford, just an hour and a half outside of the CBD, camping here is completely free and you'll have access to toilets, fireplaces and washing water.
Two hours from the Melbourne CBD.
Just south of Bendigo in Victoria's historic Goldfields region is Butts Reserve, a free campground nestled beneath the Tarrengower Lookout Tower. There are ten free campsites, and wood fires, toilets and drinking water are available. You'll also be within a five-minute drive of Maldon, a lovingly preserved Australian gold mining town that was awarded 'most intact heritage streetscape' by the National Trust in 2006.
Two and a half hours from the Melbourne CBD.
Visiting this national park is a no-brainer if you’re driving the Great Ocean Road, especially if you like waterfalls. The park stretches from Torquay towards Princetown, and up towards Colac, and is one of the best places in Victoria to embrace a cool temperate rainforest. Just near Stevensons Falls, there's a campground with around 50 free campsites that you can use, and it's accessible by smaller cars and caravans.
Three hours from the Melbourne CBD.
Along the coast of East Gippsland, you'll find 90 Mile Beach, one of the longest stretches of sand in the world. While there are heaps of bookable campsites starting at around $12 per day, Parks Victoria has also provided 20 large free camping areas for visitors to use. They're located less than 100 metres from the beach, making them perfect for those keen on fishing or swimming. No bookings are required, and for a small fee, you can use the hot showers and other services at Golden Beach or Seaspray nearby.
Three hours from the Melbourne CBD.
East of Heathcote, Edi Cutting Reserve is a very large bush camping area that spans a two-kilometre stretch along either side of the King River. The area is shaded by tall gum trees, and the river has both shallow and swimmable spots as well as being suitable for fishing. It can tend to get pretty noisy during the peak of summer or holiday periods, so if you prefer a quieter and more isolated camping experience, this one may not be for you.
Three and a half hours from the Melbourne CBD.
According to locals, shepherds used to yard their sheep onto a plot of land in Howqua Hills to protect them from dingoes. That land came to be known as Sheepyard Flat, and it's now a campground offering several free campsites. On-site facilities include drop toilets, fireplaces and picnic tables, and visitors can enjoy a walk through Howqua Hills, guided by a series of informational panels.
Three and a half hours from the Melbourne CBD.
Located in the northern part of the Grampians near Mount Dryden is Plantation Campground, an area offering around 30 free campsites for tents, camper trailers, caravans and campervans. Amenities-wise, the grounds also offers barbecues, fire pits, picnic tables, non-flush toilets, bush showers and a tank of non-potable water.
Four hours from the Melbourne CBD.
Out in western Victoria is a Narrawong, a township that less than 400 people call home. It's home to Mount Clay, a single volcanic cinder scone that's become a local landmark, as well as a surrounding national park filled with dense foliage and a campsite on the former property of a historic sawmill. Be warned that it's a fairly small site with six areas to either pitch a tent or park a car or camper.
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