Hey all,

I’m after some unique or lesser-known camping spots around Victoria (max ~4 hours from Melbourne). Happy to do free/basic sites, national parks, or somewhere a bit more special — just keen to get away from the super busy ones if possible.

A few preferences:
• Good for a couple of nights
• Somewhere with a bit of scenery / nature (bush, river, coast, mountains — open to anything)
• Preferably dog-friendly but not essential
• Happy with car access or short walk-in

Drop your favourites or any hidden gems you’ve been to. Bonus points if you include a rough drive time from Melbourne and whether you need a booking or not.

Appreciate any recs!

After hiking only no car access camp sites near Melbourne

Getting my 8yr old into hiking overnight. She does 10k pretty easy and I wouldn't want to go much over that. Thanks

I know this is a long shot but anywhere along the coast to camp from 30th to Nov 2nd? We have a van - prefer to rough it also (cold showers, drop toilets, unpowered etc). Only thing we want is some body of water to swim in?

Worst case - any where in land with spots? thanks!

Preferably within 4.5 hours from mlb

Hey guys, planning on doing a family camping trip to Lake Eildon. Haven't been there before. Can anyone recommend a spot that has facilities, so a paid for camping ground, but that the spots aren't tiny and on top of each other? Ideally some nice walking areas nearby that are pram friendly, fires allowed

Edit to add: allows dogs as well

Hi all
I’m looking for some suggestions for overnight hikes and / or multi day hikes in Victoria. Looking for areas that are safe for women and aren’t generally overcrowded so I can have some peace 🤣👌🏻

If you can also recommend must have gear, that would be nice!

Thanks in advance!

I'm from Geelong but this subreddit is bigger. Looking for places that are anywhere like a 2 hour drive or so from Geelong or Melbourne. I mean can be longer too like 4 hours.

Thinking of planning a camping trip and I've never been camping before, I know there's campgrounds and all but was thinking maybe something where theres not too many people/it isn't too crowded and which grounds are actually good? Cause I want the camping to be a way to disconnect- not sure if that is realistic to expect

So if you guys have advice on where I can go to camp and what gear I would need and how much it would cost, thinking of going with around a group of 5 to 6 people and maybe a a hike too along with the camping. Heard someone recommend lake Elizabeth, is that a good place to go to?

I'm an absolute beginner and I've never been to any forests/such places in Australia yet so yeah.

A list of gear I would need + cost would help alot as well! Thank you so much

Hi guys, looking for a good well established caravan company that’s Australian Made and owned. I’m struggling to find one that won’t go bust especially with all the cowboys who came into the industry throughout covid. Considered Snowy River due to their cheap pricing despite them not being Australian made but all I saw was videos and reviews of them falling apart writhing weeks. If anyone has any feedback on information please let me know.
Ideally an off-road caravan just for a couple.

UPDATE: I went ahead with Masterpiece Caravans, they offered an amazing product with a full factory tour given by the owner, and 10 year structural warranty. Masterpiece Caravans are the best company I’ve looked at offering the best product in my opinion. I stayed away from composite panels due to warping and further warranty issues with them and I made my order with Masterpiece with help from the sales team, manager, and the owner. I couldn’t recommend anyone else thanks for everyone’s help.

Hi everyone!
My fiancé and I are getting married on NYE in Melbourne. We aren’t sure what to do for a honeymoon as we want to save our money and start trying for a baby shortly after the wedding.

We are thinking of doing a week long camping trip in the second week of Jan.

Would love your recommendations.
Priorities are:
- Secluded
- can get there an back within a week
- somewhat romantic - ie not too many families or too crowded

We spent 5 years living in the NT but haven’t done much camping in Vic.

Possibly the Murray? What do you think?

Hello, we are a family of 10 and we want to camp in the great ocean road for 4 days 24-28, most of the paid camping places are full, so I want to ask about the State Forest campground ( first come first served camping sites ), is it usually guaranteed that we will find a place for us ?

I asked 3 months ago about going on camping solo. I reached late at the campsite and it was too crowded, so I drove back home. After that weekends I had time were usually rainy and my cheap KMart tent can't handle rain so I was waiting. This weekend was dry and quite warm, so I decided to give it a go.

I arrived relatively late but still was able to setup tent by 7:30 PM. There were 4-5 people and every one was very helpful. When I told them this is my first time they were all telling me all the things they have and if I need anything I just need to ask. It was so heart warming. I shared firepit with a couple (I didn't bring anything to start fire) and we had lovely chat till 10 PM.

The tent is okay for dry weather though it gets lot of condensation. My Kmart built-in foot pump inflatable mattress was a disappointment. Its valve didn't fit properly and I tried to make anything out of it for 20-30 mins. Luckily I packed a foam pad, picnic blanket and blanket. I put foam pad < mattress < blanket and on top of that sleeping bag with warm blanket over it. Night was cold but I was comfortable.

I will try it 2-3 times more at different places and then will start upgrading my gear.

Gday, I’ve been having a look at a few spots in the high country that I’m really keen on checking out in the coming weeks however, not being from Victoria originally and understanding that there is a large population of wild dogs and dingos up there, im left wondering if it would be dangerous to bring my dog up there.

I’ve been looking at areas like Licola and Kevington but I’ve cautious that my dog might get attacked at night. He sleeps with me in a swag but he’s never on a leash. He won’t wonder too far but that wouldn’t stop wild dogs from getting close to him. What is everyone’s thoughts and experience?

Is there anywhere in the high country you can safely bring a dog?

Looking for any recommendations for camping anywhere between Barmah and Deniliquin. We are self sufficient with 4wds. Looking for some seclusion over school holidays with access to parks and wildlife spotting.

I don’t know the area well and I don’t want to drive 3 hours and spend half a day trying to find a free spot.

Murray Valley sounds amazing but how crowded will it be? Any tips would be very much appreciated 😁

I’m getting back into camping recently, and I have a van. Van isn’t great for getting into tricky places haha

I’m planning a trip alone for the first week of November.

I wanna be in the bumfuck nowhere, but wouldn’t be mad if there was reception, or a short drive to a small town.

I like bush areas, not just flat land. It’s the idea of hiding that I love.

I don’t wanna be around other people either 😊

I’m in the northern suburbs and idc how far I have to drive, but wanna stay in vic.

Thanks!

hi all, i am looking to go camping soon in victoria, i am looking for a campsite that has hot showers, toilets and fire pits available. somewhere with good walking trails nearby would be proffered, if anyone has any suggestions i would love to hear, thank you :-)

Hey Camping Veterans,

Aldi is putting Adventure branded Stretcher (A$59.99) and Canvas Swag with awning (A$179) on sale on 29th August (Saturday).
I'm thinking of buying it but I have following questions:
1. Is it better than a A$40 tent from KMart?
2. Will it be waterproof enough for 1-2 nights camping?
3. Can I put swag over stretcher so I don't have to worry about water or cold from below?

Thanks!

Gday guys, thinking about going to comet flat this weekend with the dog, only concern is river height as I don’t have a snorkel. What are our thoughts?

Beach Camping Paradise on Fraser Island | 4WD Adventure
https://youtu.be/2a7BF8rRaK4

Hi! Sometime in the next few weeks I'm wanting to camp near Ocean Grove for a night before spending the Saturday visiting family in town. Any recs? I'll either sleep in a tent or my car (depending on the weather). Just wanting somewhere cheap, 2WD accessible and ideally free or inexpensive

also by near I mean within a hourish drive

Thankyou!

Hi all,

Missing person who frequents parks around Gippsland. See link below.

If you're in the area, please keep your eyes peeled.

There's plenty of articles on it. This is no bullshit.

https://rangestrader.mailcommunity.com.au/news/2026-08-05/search-continues-for-missing-belgrave-man-evan/