King Hut Camping Area – Alpine National Park, Victoria

Remote 4WD Camping on the King River

Deep in Victoria’s spectacular High Country, King Hut Camping Area is a remote bush campground beside the King River in Alpine National Park. Surrounded by mountains, forest and some of Victoria’s best-known four-wheel-drive tracks, it is an excellent destination for campers looking to get well away from towns and developed caravan parks. King Hut is particularly popular with 4WD travellers, bushwalkers, horse riders and self-sufficient campers. The campground also makes a great base for exploring attractions including Pineapple Flat, Bindaree Falls, Lake Cobbler and the famous Craig’s Hut. Camping here is free and, for normal camping, no booking is required. Access is strictly by four-wheel drive and involves river crossings, so visitors need to arrive properly prepared for remote High Country conditions.

King Hut Camping Area at a Glance

Where is King Hut?

King Hut Camping Area sits on one of the flats beside the King River in Alpine National Park. It is approximately 170 kilometres north-east of central Melbourne, although Parks Victoria advises allowing around four hours for the journey because of the slow High Country roads and tracks towards the end of the trip. One approach is through Mansfield and Mirimbah, continuing via Stirling Road and the Circuit Road before descending towards King Hut. The final journey is very different from driving to an ordinary campground, with rough and potentially slippery tracks and river crossings along the way.

Camping at King Hut

King Hut offers a traditional High Country camping experience. Rather than numbered caravan sites and extensive facilities, you are camping in a beautiful natural setting beside the King River. The campground is particularly attractive for travellers who enjoy quiet bush camping and want to use their campsite as a base for exploring the surrounding mountains and historic huts. Camping is free and bookings are not required for ordinary camping. This means sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis, so arriving earlier is worthwhile during popular holiday periods and long weekends. Campers should be self-sufficient with food, drinking water and appropriate camping and emergency equipment. There are no rubbish bins in Alpine National Park, so everything you bring into the campground should leave with you.

4WD Access and River Crossings

Getting there is part of the King Hut experience. Parks Victoria classifies access to the campground as 4WD only, and river crossings are required. Tracks can be rocky, slippery and rough in places, while conditions can change considerably following rain. Anyone travelling into this part of the High Country should carry suitable vehicle recovery equipment and know how to use it. The King River deserves particular respect. Water levels can rise quickly following heavy rain in the mountains, potentially turning a straightforward crossing into a dangerous one. Check the weather forecast, Parks Victoria alerts and current track conditions immediately before travelling.

Explore the Victorian High Country

King Hut makes an excellent base for exploring some of the most interesting destinations in this section of Alpine National Park.

King Hut

The historic hut adds considerably to the character of the camping area and is a reminder of the long history of European activity in Victoria’s High Country. Historic huts are an important part of the alpine landscape, but visitors should remember that huts are generally intended for emergency shelter rather than accommodation. Camping equipment should always be carried even if your route passes historic huts.

Pineapple Flat

Pineapple Flat is another attractive camping area beside the King River and can be combined with King Hut as part of a longer 4WD trip. The route between the camping areas provides a great opportunity to experience the rugged King River valley, although track and river conditions should always be checked before setting out.

Craig’s Hut

One of the best-known attractions within reach of King Hut is Craig’s Hut near Mount Stirling. Famous for its spectacular mountain setting, the hut has become one of the most photographed High Country landmarks in Victoria.

Combining King Hut with Craig’s Hut, Mount Stirling and the surrounding 4WD tracks can make for an excellent multi-day High Country adventure.

Horse Camping at King Hut

King Hut is also a designated horse camping area. Horse camping is permitted during the designated riding season, generally from 1 November to 31 May inclusive in this part of Alpine National Park. Unlike ordinary camping, horse campers need to arrange their horseyards in advance. Parks Victoria requires both permanent horseyards and portable yards to be booked before arrival. There is currently no fee for these bookings.

Campfires and Firewood

Parks Victoria recommends bringing your own firewood when visiting popular camping areas within Alpine National Park. Where collecting firewood is permitted, only fallen timber should be used and logs containing hollows or moss should be left in place because they provide important wildlife habitat. Use an existing fireplace wherever possible and always comply with current fire restrictions. Campfires must never be lit during a Total Fire Ban and should be completely extinguished with water before leaving camp or going to bed.

Seasonal Road Closures

One of the most important considerations when planning a trip to King Hut is the seasonal closure of High Country roads. Parks Victoria advises that vehicle access to King Hut is unavailable during the winter seasonal road closure period. Closures generally extend from shortly after the King’s Birthday weekend until shortly before Melbourne Cup Day, although dates and individual track conditions can vary.

Additional temporary closures can also occur because of storms, fires, flooding, fallen trees or track damage.

What to Bring

King Hut is a remote High Country destination, so visitors should be prepared to look after themselves. Useful equipment includes:

• Plenty of drinking water
• Food and cooking equipment
• Warm and waterproof clothing
• First-aid kit
• Offline maps or dedicated GPS
• 4WD recovery equipment
• Spare tyre and basic vehicle tools
• Sufficient fuel
• Rubbish bags
• Firewood where appropriate
• Emergency communication equipment for remote travel

Weather in the Victorian High Country can change quickly, even during summer, so warm and waterproof clothing should always be carried.

Is King Hut Camping Area Worth Visiting?

For campers with a capable four-wheel drive and a taste for remote places, King Hut Camping Area is a fantastic High Country destination. The combination of free camping, the King River, historic huts and an extensive network of 4WD tracks makes it an ideal base for exploring this rugged corner of Alpine National Park.

It isn’t a campground for travellers seeking powered sites, showers or caravan park facilities. King Hut is about traditional bush camping: setting up beside the river, exploring mountain tracks during the day and returning to a peaceful High Country campsite in the evening.

Combine King Hut with Pineapple Flat, Lake Cobbler, Bindaree Falls, Craig’s Hut and Mount Stirling and you have the makings of an excellent multi-day camping and 4WD adventure through Victoria’s High Country.