The best free camping sites in Victoria

Marvel at the stars and the snowgums in this lakeside campground. The alpine landscape is a perfect backdrop for those who love swimming, fishing and canoeing. There are flushable toilets and shower facilities, picnic tables and BBQs. The lake and local streams contain drinking water, but you should use filtering equipment.

This tiny campground is tucked away in the bush and a great spot from which to explore the eastern parts of the Grampians. It’s a lovely 1.5km walk to the waterfall. Be prepared to carry your gear along the short walk from the carpark. The Grampians are also one of Victoria's best stargazing spots.

Camp in the Mt Difficult State Forest and explore the temperate rainforest. Visit MacKenzie Falls, one of Victoria's best waterfalls, via the nature trail or pop into Halls Gap for a good meal or grocery and camping supplies.

More: 10 things to do in the Grampians

Kids will love the fairytale experience of exploring the Otway Redwoods in Beech Forest. Take your camera so you can capture the waterfalls and extraordinary birdlife. Pit toilets and picnic tables are the only facilities here. Dogs are not allowed in the National Park, so you’ll have to make arrangements to have your best friend looked after.

Start or end your camping trip in luxury, with a stay at RACV Torquay Resort.

Spend your days traipsing through blackwood forests, exploring the wild bushland on the Tunnel Walk and swimming in the Lerderderg River. Tents, caravans, and small campervans can camp here, with pit toilets, fireplaces and picnic tables at your disposal.

In the state’s north-west, accessible by 4WD only, this bush camp is a stargazer’s paradise. Perfect as a base for 4WD expeditions, the terrain in this area of Victoria is rugged and wild. Don’t miss the wildflowers in late winter, and early spring.

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The campground has five sites set amongst the tea trees. Availability is on a first-come, first-served basis. Wander over sand dunes to get to the beach and do some surf fishing at this spectacular east coast location. This location offers a true escape from the world; the nearest toilets and shops are 7km away at Bemm River, so you’ll need to be self-sufficient.

Consider a camping stop here on a Melbourne to Sydney coastal road trip, or end your camping trip with a luxurious stay at RACV Inverloch Resort.

Between Golden Beach and Seaspray, are over 20 maintained free camping spots. Beloved for its easy access to fishing and swimming, these camping areas offer a truly rustic camping experience. There are basic toilets, but few other facilities. Stock up on supplies before you arrive then bliss out at the water’s edge. The early bird gets the worm here, so keep this in mind when planning your journey, especially in the peak holiday times.

This is a sheltered, pet-friendly, unpowered campground with a 72 hour limit for campers. The leave-no-trace policy requires visitors to take all rubbish with them. Close to the Mallacoota turnoff, it’s part of Croajingolong National Park and the Genoa Peak trail rewards hikers with excellent views of Mallocoota Inlet, Gabo Island and the wilderness coast. There’s no power but pit toilets, picnic tables and barbecues are available, as well as a tennis court.

With easy access to town, bush camping in the Murray River Reserve is a blast. There are no facilities, but the river is the life source for campers who love swimming, kayaking and boating. Find a shady, grassy spot and bring your dog.

If you're after some creature comforts and sans dog, nearby RACV Cobram Resort has self-contained cabins or apartments with fully-equipped kitchens, and 4.5 star caravan park.

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With toilets, picnic tables, shared fireplaces (BYO wood) and a shelter, this is ideal for those who love watersports. The sites are unpowered but there is a boat ramp and boat parking close by. Bookings are essential, especially over summer weekends.

More: Best fishing spots in Victoria

Camping at Sealers Cove and Waterloo Bay is also free until June 2025. This popular three-day hiking track (through rainforest, swamp, woodlands and heaths) starts and finishes at the Telegraph Saddle car park. Note: The Sealer’s Cove boardwalk is currently closed for repairs so you must take the longer Southern Circuit Route.

More: Guide to Wilsons Promontory: Camping, tracks and beaches

In the northwest of the state near the NSW border, this lakeside campground offers tranquil water views in a bush setting. Take one of the short walks around the area, go fishing, canoeing or paddling and hunt for wildlife in the scrub.

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Accessible only by foot, or bicycle, 5km from the Tankerton Jetty on the west coast foreshore, the campsites here offer ocean views. Toilet facilities are basic but there is potable water (please purify or boil first). There’s a communal gas BBQ but open fires are prohibited. Twitchers will spot Purple Moorhen, Swamp Harriers and Cape Barren Geese, among others.

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This bushy site at the upper most point of the Yarra River offers a natural, restful base, ideal for wildlife spotting and short walks that will appeal to families. Fur babies are welcomed too (on-lead). Picnic, BBQ and toilet facilities are available.

If camping doesn't appeal, there's always nearby Healesville Country Club & Resort, which has a golf course and day spa.

More: Best free things to do in Victoria’s Yarra Valley