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Your 2025 Guide To Victoria’s Best Free Camping Sites

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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

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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

Two people standing on the walking bridge at Yea River, right near Toolangi Recreation Reserve with free camping.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

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Mount Franklin Reserve

Mount Franklin Road, Mount Franklin

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by wewillroam (@wewillroam)

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.

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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.

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Andersons Garden

Boundary Road, Clonbinane

Set on the outskirts of Wandong Regional Park, Andersons Garden is a rugged free campground not too far from Melbourne. Named after an old gold mining family, the campground is dog-friendly and is surrounded by excellent trails for both dirt bikes and 4WDs making it a firm favourite all year round. Don’t forget to bring your own water or at least equipment to make water potable.
 
Facilities: Toilets, fireplaces.

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Free Campsites Around 2 Hours From Melbourne

Lerderderg Campground

Lerderderg National Park

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Parks Victoria (@parksvic)

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Aberfeldy River

Plane Track, Baw Baw

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by @chopped_80series

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.

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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.

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Toorongo Falls Campground

Toorongo Valley Road, Noojee

A couple at Toorongo and Ampitheatre Falls after a hike from the free campground in 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.

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McKillops Bridge Campground

McKillops Road, Wulgulmerang East

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Toby (@royceraw)

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.

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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.

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For more weekend getaway inspiration, check out:

Leading Image credit: Visit Victoria | Neisha Breen

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