20 Great Free Campgrounds Victoria
The Ultimate Budget Camping Guide: 20 Incredible Free Campgrounds in Victoria
Victoria packs some of Australia’s most diverse landscapes into one accessible state. From the rugged cliffs of the coast to the misty forests of the Dandenongs and the jagged ridges of the west, you don’t need a massive budget to see it all. In fact, some of the best spots in the state won’t cost you a single cent. To help you plan your next road trip, we’ve rounded up 20 fantastic free campgrounds across Victoria, broken down by region.
The Great Ocean Road & South West
The surf coast is famous for expensive holiday parks, but if you look slightly inland into the Otways, you’ll find incredible free rainforest camping.
1. Beauchamp Falls Campground (Great Otway National Park)
Where it is: Located near Beech Forest in the Otway ranges.
The Vibe: Nestled deep in a lush, green rainforest surrounded by massive mountain ash trees. It’s a short but steep walk to the beautiful Beauchamp Falls waterfall.
2. Stevenson Falls Campground (Barramunga)
Where it is: Just off the Forrest-Apollo Bay Road.
The Vibe: A huge, open grassy flat right next to the Gellibrand River. Perfect for families, with a beautiful walk leading straight to the base of the falls.
3. Panmure Campground (Panmure)
Where it is: Located off the Princes Highway, just a short drive past Warrnambool.
The Vibe: Set right along the Mount Emu Creek, this spot features toilets, clean running water, and plenty of space for larger rigs or caravans.
4. Sawpit Campground (Mount Clay State Forest)
Where it is: Just outside of Portland in the state’s far southwest.
The Vibe: A historic former sawmill site surrounded by native eucalypt forest. It features excellent wood BBQs and drop toilets, making it a great base for exploring the wild southern coastline.
Planning a trip down the coast? Check out the best gear guides and trail maps on Camping Victoria.
Central Victoria & The Goldfields
Steeped in 1850s gold rush history, this region offers open box-ironbark forests and quiet creekside clearings.
5. Vaughan Springs Campground (Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park)
Where it is: Roughly 15 minutes south of Castlemaine.
The Vibe: Famous for its historic mineral springs where you can pump your own fresh sparkling spring water. The site includes a giant concrete slide for the kids and lovely stone-walled swimming holes.
6. Teddington Reservoir Campground (Kara Kara National Park)
Where it is: Stuart Mill, tucked away in Victoria’s pyrenees region.
The Vibe: A tranquil, forested haven right beside the old reservoir walls. It feels incredibly remote and offers fantastic bird watching and evening wildlife spotting.
7. Laanecoorie Reservoir Camping (Laanecoorie)
Where it is: On the banks of the Loddon River, west of Bendigo.
The Vibe: A favorite spot for watersports enthusiasts, kayakers, and fishermen. The free shoreline sections fill up fast over summer weekends.
8. Green Hill Lake Campground (Ararat)
Where it is: Located directly on the eastern edge of Ararat.
The Vibe: One of the most amenity-packed free camps in the state, offering hot showers (for a small donation), drinking water, and panoramic views across the lake toward the Grampians.
The High Country & North East
Mountain rivers, alpine air, and classic bush campsites dominate the north-east.
9. Blue Pool Campground (Camping Briagolong State Forest)
Where it is: North of Sale on the Freestone Creek.
The Vibe: Named after a deep, spectacular natural rock pool that is perfect for summer swimming. The camping area sits on a high flat just above the water.
10. Victoria Falls Campground (Cobungra)
Where it is: Located along the Omeo Highway between Omeo and Dinner Plain.
The Vibe: High-altitude mountain camping right near the historic site of Victoria’s first hydroelectric power scheme. Great walks through snow-gum country are right at your doorstep.
11. Gentle Annie Campground (Whitfield)
Where it is: Situated right along the crystal-clear King River in the King Valley.
The Vibe: Perfect for pitching a tent right on the riverbank. It’s an absolute paradise for fly-fishing, swimming, and exploring the nearby regional wineries.
12. Ah K Privileges Campsite (Dargo)
Where it is: Located along the Dargo River, deep in four-wheel-drive territory.
The Vibe: A legendary rugged bush camp favored by 4WD adventurers looking to tackle the steep trails of the high plains.
Before heading up into alpine areas, make sure to read through the seasonal safety updates on Camping Victoria.
Gippsland & The East Coast
From dense coastal tea-tree forests to the massive wilderness bordering New South Wales, the east is as wild as it gets.
13. Cape Conran Coastal Park – Banksia Campground (Cape Conran)
Where it is: Just east of Marlo in East Gippsland.
The Vibe: Stunning coastal wilderness camping tucked behind the sand dunes. Note: While some premium sites require a small booking fee in peak season, the park offers excellent low-cost and seasonal free bush camp alternatives nearby.
14. Genoa Recreation Reserve (Genoa)
Where it is: Right on the Genoa River, close to the NSW border.
The Vibe: A perfect rest stop for long road trips along the highway. It provides hot showers (donation based), a playground, and easy access to Mallacoota.
15. Bruntons Bridge Campground (Erica / Walhalla)
Where it is: Spanning the historic Thomson River near Walhalla.
The Vibe: Set around the ruins of an old 1880s iron bridge. It’s a fantastic, secluded valley camp perfect for kayaking, swimming, and exploring gold mining ruins.
16. Aberfeldy River Campground (Baw Baw National Park)
Where it is: Tucked into the steep valleys north of Walhalla.
The Vibe: A peaceful, remote riverscape camp surrounded by ferns and tall gums. It’s an excellent base camp for bushwalking the footpipes of the Australian Alps.
The Murray River & The North
The Murray River is lined with thousands of free dispersed camping clearings, but these four offer excellent access and unbeatable water views.
17. Christies Beach Campground (Echuca)
Where it is: Just a few minutes drive outside the historic port town of Echuca.
The Vibe: Large sandy beaches right on the Murray River. Watch the historic paddle-steamers float past your tent while you sit by the campfire.
18. Wills Bend Campground (Echuca/Torrumbarry)
Where it is: West of Echuca along the riverbank.
The Vibe: Sweeping clay cliffs bend around a massive sandy beach area. It offers tonnes of room for big caravans and motorhomes looking to set up long-term.
19. Gunbower National Park – Masters Landing (Gunbower)
Where it is: Located on Gunbower Island, Australia’s largest inland island.
The Vibe: Camp right among the wetlands and towering red gums. It’s a world-renowned haven for kayaking and flat-water canoeing.
20. Nyah State Forest Campground (Nyah)
Where it is: Just north of Swan Hill along the Murray River.
The Vibe: Quiet red gum forests with easy access to the water. It’s incredibly peaceful, filled with birdlife, and offers great fishing spots right off the bank.
Free Camping Checklist
Before you throw the swag in the back of the car, keep these quick tips in mind:
Leave No Trace: Most of these pristine locations don’t have rubbish bins. Pack out absolutely everything you pack in.
Fire Safety: Always bring your own firewood (don’t cut down native trees) and check the fire regulations. During summer, fire bans apply across the state.
Self-Sufficiency: Many free camps don’t have drinking water. Always pack at least 5 liters of water per person, per day.
For comprehensive trail reports, regional camping guides, and packing tips, head over to Camping Victoria before your next adventure!
