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Victoria is famous for its diverse and breathtaking camping experiences. From coastal escapes along the Great Ocean Road to serene alpine retreats in Mount Buffalo National Park, unpowered rustic sites to glamping sites with all the amenities, there’s a perfect spot for every camper.
Whether you prefer pitching a tent, caravaning, or embarking on hike-in adventures, these top 10 camping spots in Victoria showcase the state’s natural beauty and provide unforgettable outdoor experiences.
Johanna Beach
Johanna Beach is a popular destination along the world-famous Great Ocean Road in the Great Otway National Park. It’s tucked into the dunes and grasslands along the beach and is popular for campers and surfers. Enjoy the ocean views, go fishing and surfing, or take sunset strolls along the coast. It’s also a great spot to spot Humpback and Southern Right Whales migrating from July to September.
Melba Gully, the famous Twelve Apostles, Cape Otway Lightstation, and Triplet Falls offer plenty of nearby attractions. Dogs are allowed but must be kept on a leash to help protect the threatened Hooded Plover that nests above the high tide between August and February.
Facilities
- 25 non-powered sites
- Non-flush toilets
- Picnic tables
- Shelters
Additional Information
Bring your own drinking water, and campfires are allowed, except on the Total Fire Ban days.
No generators are allowed due to the noise. However, the EcoFlow RIVER 2 Series Portable Power Stations use a battery; without a fossil fuel-powered motor, they barely make any noise, just above a whisper! They come in a range of compact and portable capacities, so you can pack them in a car, tent, or even a backpack!
Fairhaven Campground
This tent-only site is in French Island National Park, just an hour and a half outside Melbourne. To get there, hop on the Western Port Ferries passenger ferry from Stony Point to French Island and enjoy the amazing yet easy hiking trails, gorgeous beaches, and all the natural beauty and wildlife on the island.
There’s no power or fires allowed, but there are free gas BBQs to use. Bring your EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max portable power station to keep you powered up; it’s compact enough to fit in your backpack and rugged enough to handle the elements.
Facilities
- Tent sites
- Toilets
- Picnic tables
- Shelters
- Free gas BBQs
Additional Information
Sorry, no pets allowed. Ross River virus, spread through mosquitos, has been identified on French Island, so bring your insect repellent. Also, be cautious of the local snakes and lizards while out hiking.
Paradise Beach
The name says it all! Paradise Beach is a gorgeous destination nestled between the ocean and Lake Reeves amongst tea trees and coastal banksia trees within the Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park. Thanks to Parks Victoria’s free camping for the 2024/2025 season, it’s also free.
The sites are unpowered, and some are suitable for self-contained caravans that are dry camping, while others are only suitable for cars, tents, or campervans. Enjoy swimming, kayaking, fishing, or hiking along the ocean with easy access to the beach. The site is family and pet-friendly, so you can bring the little tikes and your furry friends along.
Facilities
- Non-flush toilets
- Picnic tables
- Communal fireplaces
Additional Information
Be aware of bushfires, and check for days of Total Fire Ban.
Since there is no power on-site, bring an EcoFlow Solar Generator to keep your devices powered up or run camping lights or kitchen appliances. If you are on a multi-day adventure, just use the portable solar panels to recharge it and stay off-grid as long as you want!
Also, bring an EcoFlow Glacier Portable Refrigerator with you. With its separate fridge and freezer compartments and the ability to wirelessly last up to 40 hours, you will have no worries keeping your food at food-safe temperatures. Staying off-grid longer? Just use your solar generator to recharge it! Easy peasy.
Halls Gap Lakeside Tourist Park
Halls Gap Lakeside Tourist Park is in the beautiful Grampians National Park. This full-service facility is the perfect scenic motorhome escape for caravaners who want to get away but still want to enjoy all the amenities of home. It also accommodates tents, campervans, and camper trailers and is family-friendly.
There are plenty of activities nearby, like hiking the Pinnacle, Mount Rosea, or Mackenzie Falls, kayaking on Lake Bellfield, or enjoying the delicious food at the local restaurants. Alternatively, just sit back and relax and enjoy mountain views, lively cockatoos, and playful kangaroos.
Facilities
- Camp kitchen
- Laundry
- BBQs with shelter
- Hot showers
- Playground
- Heated pools
- Shop
- Wi-Fi
Additional Information
This site is family-friendly, but no pets are allowed.
Refuge Cove
For those who like to rough it a bit and enjoy travelling on their own feet, this dispersed camping might be perfect for you. This hike-in site offers a beautiful hike through diverse plant communities to a very secluded beach surrounded by bush. This is also part of the three-day Southern Circuit if you want a longer hiking journey.
Campers can stay at this spot for two nights. It’s also accessible by the sea as long as boaters do not tie stern lines to the vegetation. There is no power on site, so bring your EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max + 160W Solar Panel; at only 6kg, it’s lightweight enough to pack in your backpack, and you can recharge it with your solar panel in less than three hours when the sun is shining bright.
Facilities
- Hike-in only
- Picnic table
- Self-composting toilets
- Untreated creek water
Additional Information
No dogs are allowed. Be sure to bring a pot to boil water for drinking, and bring your toilet paper, as none is provided. Finally, stay on the walking tracks to avoid getting lost or spreading the waterborne Cinnamon Fungus, which can be transported on shoes and kills native flora.
Wye River Foreshore
The Wye River Foreshore is another beachfront campground along the Great Ocean Road, but it has more amenities than Johanna Beach, offering flush toilets, hot showers, and laundry facilities. For those living the van life, this is the perfect stop to relax and take advantage of the amenities.
You can camp in any style, tent, campervan, caravan, camper trailer, etc. There’s plenty to do nearby, such as swimming, fishing, diving, and surfing on the beach. You can also go hiking or biking. It’s a popular site that only opens from October to April, so book ahead to secure a spot.
Facilities
- BBQs
- Flush toilets
- Hot showers
- Guest laundry
- General store
Additional Information
Pets are not allowed during the main camping season but are allowed on the beach during the off-season between May 1 and October 28.
Mortlake Caravan Park
For caravaners, here is another family-friendly option. Mortlake Caravan Park is located at the base of the dormant volcano Mt. Shadwell in the rich agricultural Great South Coast region.
You can go fishing in Tea Tree Lake, hiking and gem hunting in the volcanic rocks, or check out the nearby town with great restaurants, sporting facilities, a skate park, and a charming country atmosphere. There are plenty of areas to walk, enjoy the birds and wildlife, or go for a picnic.
Facilities
- 36 powered sites
- 20 unpowered sites
- BBQ facilities
- Hot Showers
- Flush Toilets
- Laundry facilities
Additional Information
Dogs are welcome at the park all year round.
Lake Catani Campground
Lake Catani is perfect for those looking to escape the summer heat and enjoy the scenic beauty of a high-mountain getaway. This subalpine spot is part of Mount Buffalo National Park. There are plenty of hiking trails, rock climbing, kayaking, fishing, and more. It is also part of Parks Victoria’s free camping this 2024/2025 camping season, so take advantage of it!
Facilities
- 49 powered sites
- BBQs
- Sink
- Accessible toilets
- Shower
Additional Information
While small to medium caravans can get in, large ones will not fit. Pets are not permitted, and cell phone service is poor. It is a subalpine location that can get cold, especially at night and even in summer, so be prepared.
Pritchards Campground
Pritchards Campground is part of the Lower Glenelg National Park and is Victoria’s best riverside camping spot. It’s a perfect spot for those looking for a relaxing place to boat, canoe, kayak, or fish on the tranquil Glenelg River. There are also plenty of hiking trails, like the Great South West Walk that winds through the hinterland of Lower Glenelg National Park, where you can enjoy the beautiful forest and birdwatching opportunities.
Most sites are suitable for tents, campervans, caravans, and camper trailers, but there are no hookups, so be sure you are self-sufficient.
Facilities
- 20 unpowered sites
- Non-flush Toilets
- Picnic tables
- Firepits
- Boat ramp.
- Non-potable water
Additional Information
While camping here this holiday season is free, you must reserve your spot online with Parks Victoria. Sorry, dogs are not allowed.
Granite Springs Farm Camping
This lovely 300-acre property is located 1.5 hours north of Melbourne. It’s a perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life, but close enough you can make an easy weekend of it. It accommodates tents, campervans, camper trailers, and caravans.
Farm animals and horses roam the lands, and there are trees, fields, and plenty of nature to enjoy. Fires are allowed on site, and your furry family members are welcome to come along! Enjoy swimming in the dams and creeks or just relaxing by the campfire.
Facilities
- Fire pits
- Canvas bell tents for rent
Additional Information
This site is not wheelchair accessible, and the road is only 4WD accessible. There is no potable water on site, so pack your own. There are also no toilets on site, so bring your own. Motorhomes or fifth wheels are not allowed, but pull-through sites for other campers are available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Thanks to a government initiative, you can camp for free in any of Parks Victoria’s previously paid sites for the 2024/2025 camping season. However, you still need to book your reservation online, but it won’t cost anything.
Wild camping is allowed in Victoria, but you must camp 20m away from any water source and cannot stay for more than 28 nights. Within forest reserves, however, you can only camp in designated campgrounds.
Final Thoughts
Victoria is a camper’s paradise with something for everyone, from beachside serenity at Johanna Beach to the secluded beauty of Refuge Cove or the subalpine sites of Lake Catani. Wherever your next adventure takes you, having reliable gear is essential. With your EcoFlow Solar Generator, you can go anywhere and not worry about power.
Even within campgrounds where generators are not allowed because of the noise, solar generators use batteries and operate just above a whisper – so no worries. Explore these stunning destinations for an unforgettable outdoor experience.