No matter the season, it’s always prime time to pack the car and escape into Victoria’s wild backyard. From lush riverfront bushland to windswept coastal dunes (yes, you might spot a whale), the state is dotted with incredible paid and free camping spots - some within just over an hour’s drive from Melbourne.
Whether you're chasing lakefront serenity, off-grid hiking, remote waterfalls, setting up camp under a volcano (true story), or campsites you can access with a 2WD, we’ve rounded up the best free campsites in Victoria for you to explore this year.
Victoria's Best Free Campsites At A Glance
- Jump To Free Campsites Under 90 Minutes Away
- Jump To Free Campsites Two Hours Away
- Jump To Free Campsites Three Hours Away
- Jump To Free Campsites Four Hours Away
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Without further ado, here are 16 of the best free camping Victoria has on offer for 2025:
Free Campsites Within 90 Minutes of Melbourne
Toolangi Recreation Reserve
Cherrys Lane, Toolangi
Image credit: Visit Victoria | Robert Blackburn
This peaceful riverside campground comes with bonus mountain vibes. Head up into the hills and relax on the banks of the Yea River. This one's high on the best free bush camping in Victoria, set upon a cricket oval that’s surrounded by towering Mountain Ash trees. There’s tank water, flushing toilets, electric BBQs, and a cute undercover picnic area to top it all off. The perfect nature escape with enough facilities to keep your camping-averse mates happy.
Facilities: Toilets, picnic shelters, BBQs, tank water
Mount Franklin Reserve
Mount Franklin Road, Mount Franklin
If camping inside an extinct volcano is on your bucket list, then Mount Franklin is without a doubt the best campsite for you. It’s hard to miss this gorgeous mountain, completely covered in pine trees and poking out among cleared farmland. The cosy windless environment in the campground has made this spot one of the best free camping sites in Victoria. There are BBQs, toilets, shaded sites and enough serenity to zen out for days.
Facilities: Toilets, BBQs, water.
Butts Reserve
Mount Tarrengower Road, Maldon
With rugged granite surrounds and the charm of nearby Maldon, Butts Reserve is a little slice of Central Victorian magic. Set at the foot of Mount Tarrengower, there’s a range of free campsites in a rocky outcrop. The campground has picnic tables, wood-fired BBQs, a toilet block, water on tap, plus plenty of space for 2WDs and vans.
Facilities: Toilets, water, picnic tables, wood BBQs.
Andersons Garden
Boundary Road, Clonbinane
Free Campsites Around 2 Hours From Melbourne
Lerderderg Campground
Lerderderg National Park
If you like your camping wild and wombat-adjacent, Lerderderg Campground is the spot. This free campground set in the Lerderderg State Park is surrounded by a ton of things to do. Bushwalks, 4WD trails and rugged escarpments are just outside your swag. Back at base camp, fireplaces, toilets and picnic tables have you covered. Keep your eyes peeled for the local koalas, kangaroos and wallabies.
Facilities: Toilets, fireplaces, picnic tables.
Reeves Beach
Reeves Beach Road, Woodside
Is there anything better than falling asleep to crashing waves and waking up to barefoot beach walks? This dream is within a short drive from Melbourne at South Gippsland's Reeves Beach campground. Part of 90 Mile Beach, Reeves Beach has no electricity or phone reception. Did someone say digital detox? Forget Netflix, we’ve got our eyes on the ocean waiting for a friendly dolphin or two.
Facilities: Toilets only.
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Meredith Park
Meredith Park Road, Ondit
Right on the edge of Lake Colac, Meredith Park nails the balance between peaceful and practical. The length of your stroll to the lake will depend on the season and recent rains, but don’t worry - either way it’s not far. Cast a line, launch your boat or settle in under shady trees and watch the world go by. After a long relaxing day, cook up a feast on the old-school BBQs. Just don’t forget to BYO wood.
Facilities: Toilets, wood BBQs, lake access.
Free Camping 3 Hours From Melbourne
Aire River West Campground
Sand Rd, Glenaire
This one is for the surfers, birdwatchers, fishing enthusiasts, canoers, and anyone who loves to relax by the water. Set where the Otway forest meets the coast, Aire River West is a serene free campground with river views and easy access to the beach. Pack the rod and cast a line because bream, salmon, mullet, trout, mulloway and snapper are all nearby. As is the Great Ocean Walk for anyone wanting to explore the area on foot.
Facilities: Toilets, fireplaces, picnic tables.
Stevensons Falls Campground
Roadknight Creek Road, Barramunga
Hidden beside the Gellibrand River and shaded by towering Douglas Firs, you might just feel like a woodland fairy waking up in the middle of this lush Otway forest campground. Follow the magical trail to Stevensons Falls to satisfy all your waterfall chasing needs. And the wildlife is abundant, with plenty of kangaroos and birds to cast your eyes upon, so make sure to pack the binoculars. Each campsite has an allocated fireplace so BYO firewood. There’s no question as to why this is touted as one of the best camping spots in Victoria.
Facilities: Drop toilets, fireplaces, picnic tables.
Plantation Campground
Mount Zero Road, Halls Gap
Got the Grampians in your sights? Head straight to Plantation Campground. This free campground in Victoria has 30 campsites that work on a first-come, first-served basis. So make sure you set up camp before setting out on one of the epic hikes close by. No water here so bring your own, but there are toilets available on site.
Facilities: Toilets, shady sites.
Blue Pool Campground
Freestone Creek Road, Briagolong
Blue Pool is your summer sanctuary: serene, shady and a short stroll from a natural swimming hole. Make sure you pack a lilo for kicking back on this dazzling lake and pebble beach. Set up camp in the gorg campground where you'll find a drop toilet, fire pits, and picnic tables. Set inside the Briagolong State Forest, this wonderfully peaceful spot is one of the best free camping spots in Victoria.
Facilities: Drop toilets, picnic tables, fire pits.
Free Campgrounds 4+ Hours From Melbourne
The Poplars Campground
Loch Valley Road, Loch Valley
Tucked away in West Gippsland, The Poplars lives up to its name—expect towering trees, tranquil vibes and trout-filled streams nearby. The campground is surrounded by European poplar trees as well as Manna Gums, perfect for the tree enthusiasts out there. You’re in no deficit for activities with fishing, horse riding and four-wheel driving all possible contenders for your itinerary. It’s got all the basics: toilets, picnic tables, and a rustic shelter.
Facilities: Toilets, shelter, picnic tables.
Aberfeldy River
Plane Track, Baw Baw
Aberfeldy River campground is for the off-grid enthusiast. This remote riverside gem in the Baw Baw National Park has only eight spots, no caravan access and demands a 4WD—so you’ll earn those waterfall views. Rustic fireplaces and a basic toilets are your only luxuries. This is up there amongst the best off-grid camping in Victoria.
Facilities: Fireplaces, toilets.
Gunbower National Park
Gunbower Island, near Cohuna
Time for some island camping on the mighty Murray River. Find some higher ground on the banks of the river and set up camp among the river red gums and black box in Gunbower National Park. Given the region, it might be dry and dusty, but you won't be thinking about that much as you catch the local bird life, and cattle grazing nearby. The stretch of island has 114 river, and 25 creek campsites making it one of the top riverside campsites in Victoria.
Facilities: Fire pits, basic toilets.
Toorongo Falls Campground
Toorongo Valley Road, Noojee
Image credit: Destination Gippsland | Nicky Cawood
This one’s for the waterfall lovers out there. Just a hop, skip and jump away from Toorongo and Ampitheatre Falls, this shady free campsite is tucked away in the secluded bush and, like most hidden gems, fills up quickly during holiday periods. Easily accessible, 2WD friendly and is nicely equipped with toilets, fireplaces and BBQ facilities.
Facilities: Toilets, fireplaces, BBQs.
McKillops Bridge Campground
McKillops Road, Wulgulmerang East
For something a little more remote (and dramatic), McKillops Bridge delivers stunning cliffside views, starry skies and a prime spot near the iconic Snowy River. Facilities are minimal (think basic toilets and fireplaces) but the scenery is next level. You’ll need a high-clearance 2WD or 4WD to get in.
Facilities: Toilets, fireplaces.
Big Billy Bore Campground
Murrayville-Nhill Road, Big Desert
Want to get your astronomer on? Located in the Big Desert wilderness in Mallee Country, Big Billy Bore is the perfect spot for stargazing, or anyone in need of some peaceful quietness. You might be busy relaxing, but don’t miss the walk up to the lookout for sunset. There’s panoramic views that are well worth the trip. There’s basic toilets, undercover areas, picnic tables and a barbecue. Remember to BYO water and firewood.
Facilities: Toilets, fireplaces, BBQs.
For more weekend getaway inspiration, check out:
Leading Image credit: Visit Victoria | Neisha Breen