Yarra State Forest: Camping at Starlings Gap

4WD Camping in the Yarra State Forest

You don't always need to travel hundreds of kilometres from Melbourne to find a worthwhile 4WD camping adventure. The forests of Victoria's Yarra Ranges offer a great mix of unsealed roads, forest tracks, historic timber country, scenic lookouts and quiet campsites - all within easy reach of the city.

For 4WD owners, the area around Yarra State Forest provides an ideal opportunity to get away for a weekend and put your vehicle to work on a mixture of gravel, mud, uneven surfaces and winding forest roads.

A recent trip took us through Gembrook, Kurth Kiln State Park, Seven Acre Rock, Powelltown and Starlings Gap. It wasn't an extreme 4WD expedition, but it was exactly the sort of trip that makes owning a capable 4WD worthwhile: a bit of dirt, changing conditions, interesting destinations and a quiet campsite at the end of the day.

If you're planning your own 4WD camping trip through the Yarra Ranges, however, preparation is still important. Forest roads can change dramatically with weather, and a track that is straightforward in dry conditions can become considerably more challenging after rain.

Starting the 4WD camping adventure in Gembrook

The trip began with a drive towards Gembrook, a small country town on the edge of the Yarra Ranges.

Gembrook makes a convenient starting point for a 4WD camping weekend. It's close enough to Melbourne for an easy morning departure, while the character of the surrounding roads changes quickly once you leave the town behind.

A coffee stop in Gembrook provided the perfect opportunity to fuel up, check the vehicle and make sure everything was secured before heading further into the forest.

That's one of the benefits of a 4WD camping trip close to home: you can be on the road early, spend the day exploring and still feel like you've travelled a long way from the suburbs.

From Gembrook, the route continued towards Kurth Kiln State Park, with the roads becoming increasingly forested as the trip progressed.

Tall trees, winding roads and fewer signs of civilisation make this part of the Yarra Ranges enjoyable in its own right. With the right vehicle and a willingness to get off the bitumen, the drive becomes part of the adventure rather than simply a way of getting to camp.

 

Taking the 4WD along Beenak Road

From Kurth Kiln, the trip continued along Beenak Road towards Seven Acre Rock.

This section is where having a capable vehicle starts to make more sense. The road was manageable in an AWD, but there were muddy sections, sharp turns and tighter sections where conditions required a little more attention.

For a 4WD, these sorts of roads are exactly where sensible off-road driving technique comes into play.

That doesn't necessarily mean tackling difficult obstacles or pushing the vehicle to its limits. A good 4WD camping trip is often about having the capability and clearance to comfortably deal with changing surfaces, mud, corrugations and uneven terrain.

Tyre pressures are another important consideration.

On gravel and softer surfaces, adjusting tyre pressures can improve traction, ride comfort and the vehicle's ability to deal with rougher terrain. A quality tyre deflator is therefore one of those small pieces of equipment that deserves a permanent place in your 4WD recovery or touring kit.

Rather than trying to guess your pressures or slowly let air out through the valve, a dedicated tyre deflator makes the process much quicker and more controlled. Pair it with a reliable tyre gauge or compressor and you have the basic equipment needed to manage pressures throughout a 4WD trip.

Check out these options of equipment:

MAXTRAX Indeflate Digital - Tyre Deflator Dual Hose - A247 Gear

MAXTRAX Indeflate - Dual Analogue Tyre Deflator - A247 Gear

Of course, always consider the conditions, your tyres and vehicle manufacturer's recommendations before changing pressures.

Seven Acre Rock Lookout

After working your way through the forest, arriving at Seven Acre Rock makes the drive worthwhile.

The lookout provides sweeping views across the surrounding ranges and is an easy place to stop, stretch your legs and take in the scenery.

There is a short walk from the car park to the lookout, along with a picnic area and toilet facilities.

For 4WD campers, these simple stopping points can make a big difference to the enjoyment of a day on the tracks. There's no need for every stop to be an extreme off-road challenge. Sometimes the best part of the trip is finding a great lookout, switching off the engine and enjoying the landscape.

If you're travelling with a dog, Seven Acre Rock also provides a convenient place for a short walk and some time outside the vehicle.

Just remember that conditions on forest roads can change quickly. If you're travelling after significant rain, check local conditions before setting out and be prepared to alter your route if necessary.

Exploring historic Powelltown

From Seven Acre Rock, the route descends towards Powelltown.

For anyone interested in Australian 4WD touring, this is one of the things that makes trips through Victoria's forests so interesting. You're not simply driving through bushland — you're travelling through landscapes shaped by generations of forestry, timber production and pioneering activity.

Powelltown is a historic timber settlement with a strong connection to the region's logging history.

Today, it is a quiet country community with basic amenities, including a pub and cricket ground. It's the sort of place where a short stop can give you a completely different perspective on the area.

A walk along the Reids Tramway Walk provides another glimpse into the region's timber history. The old tramways are a reminder of the scale of the logging industry that once operated throughout these forests.

For a 4WD camping weekend, destinations like this add another dimension to the trip. You can spend the morning driving forest roads, stop for lunch and then explore a piece of local history before continuing towards camp.

Camping at Starlings Gap

From Powelltown, it was time to head towards Starlings Gap for the night.

The campsite is surrounded by tall forest and offers the peaceful atmosphere many people are looking for when they head into the bush for a weekend.

The access road is generally well formed, but don't expect a perfectly smooth drive. There are sharp corners, uneven surfaces and rocky sections to negotiate.

This is where a 4WD can be particularly useful. Having additional ground clearance, suitable tyres and the ability to deal with uneven terrain provides a useful margin when conditions deteriorate.

That said, this isn't an excuse to switch off your brain and drive aggressively. Good 4WD touring is about reading the track, selecting appropriate lines, controlling your speed and understanding what your vehicle can safely handle.

The campsite itself is relatively simple and includes toilet facilities. There are also opportunities to explore the surrounding forest on foot.

One of the more interesting features is an old steam boiler, a relic of the local logging industry dating back to the 1930s. It's another reminder that you're camping in an area with a long and fascinating working history.

For those wanting a longer walk, the Ada Tree is also accessible via an approximately 11km walk. On this particular trip, though, the priority was a relaxed evening around camp rather than squeezing another big adventure into the day.

Things to know before camping at Starlings Gap

One important consideration for anyone planning 4WD camping at Starlings Gap is the campsite layout.

This isn't necessarily a campground where you simply drive your 4WD directly onto your individual campsite and unload everything from the back of the vehicle.

Vehicles are parked in a designated area, with individual campsites located a short distance away.

That means your camping setup matters.

If you're carrying bulky equipment, consider how you're going to move it from the vehicle to the campsite. Compact camping gear, organised storage and equipment that can be carried easily can make the setup considerably easier.

For a 4WD camping trip, this is another reason not to pack simply because you have plenty of room in the vehicle. A well-organised setup can be far more useful than a vehicle packed to the roof with equipment you don't actually need.

During this visit, the campground was quiet, which made setting up relatively straightforward.

Secure your camping setup

Once camp was established, the weather began to move in.

At Starlings Gap, the TieGear Caravan Bundle came in handy, with guy ropes and springs used to help secure the awning.

For anyone spending time camping in exposed or changeable conditions, securing your setup properly should always be a priority. Weather can change quickly in the Victorian high country and forest areas, and a sudden gust can turn an unsecured awning into a serious problem.

Whether you're travelling with a 4WD, camper trailer or caravan, having the right tie-down equipment in your kit can make setting up and packing down easier while giving you extra peace of mind when the weather turns.

Dinner, fire and a night in the forest

With camp established, it was time to turn attention towards dinner.

A hearty beef stroganoff with rice cooked over the fire was an ideal meal after a full day behind the wheel.

The evening was almost completely windless, which made sitting around camp particularly comfortable. The downside was that keeping the fire going became a little more difficult without much airflow.

Eventually, there was just enough time for some stargazing before clouds rolled in and rain began to fall.

That's one of the simple pleasures of camping. After spending the day navigating forest roads and exploring new places, there's something satisfying about sitting around camp while the weather rolls through outside.

The rain continued through the night, tapping away around the campsite and providing a peaceful soundtrack to the end of the day.

The morning after

The following morning started with the usual camping essentials: coffee, breakfast and packing up.

There was no need to rush.

That's one of the advantages of a short 4WD camping trip. You don't necessarily need to cover huge distances or stick to a rigid itinerary. You can take your time, explore a few tracks, stop when something catches your attention and enjoy the campsite rather than treating it as somewhere to sleep between destinations.

Once the camp kitchen was packed away and everything was secured, the trip continued towards Yarra Junction and Launching Place before heading home.

The route covered plenty of ground without requiring a long-distance drive from Melbourne, making the Yarra Ranges a worthwhile option for a weekend 4WD camping escape.

What to take on a 4WD trip

A weekend in the Victorian forests is a good reminder that preparation matters, even when you're not heading into remote outback country.

For a 4WD camping trip through areas such as Yarra State Forest, consider carrying:

• A tyre deflator and accurate tyre pressure gauge

• A 12V air compressor for reinflating tyres

• Suitable recovery equipment

• Rated recovery points and appropriate recovery gear

• A first aid kit

• Plenty of drinking water

• Food and cooking equipment

• A reliable torch or camp lighting

• Navigation equipment and offline maps

• Appropriate clothing for rapidly changing weather

• Fire and camping equipment suitable for the conditions

• Recovery boards where appropriate

• A spare tyre and the equipment required to change it

Navigation is particularly important when exploring forest areas. Mobile phone coverage can be inconsistent, and tracks may not always be as straightforward as they appear on a screen.

A dedicated navigation device, offline mapping and a good understanding of your planned route can all help you stay on track.

Is Yarra State Forest suitable for 4WD camping?

The Yarra State Forest area offers a great combination of forest driving, history, walking, scenic views and camping within relatively easy reach of Melbourne.

While this particular route isn't an extreme 4WD challenge, that doesn't make it any less worthwhile for four-wheel-drive owners.

For experienced drivers, it provides an opportunity to explore a mixture of surfaces and conditions without committing to a multi-day remote expedition. For newer 4WD owners, it can also be a useful introduction to driving on unsealed forest roads and understanding how conditions affect your vehicle.

The key is to drive according to the conditions.

Rain can transform mud and soft surfaces, while fallen trees, road damage and other hazards can change the character of a track. Check conditions before leaving, carry appropriate recovery and safety equipment, and don't be afraid to turn around if a road becomes unsuitable for your vehicle.

Larger caravans and long combinations should also take extra care around the narrower roads, sharp corners and uneven sections encountered around Seven Acre Rock and Starlings Gap.

For those travelling with a 4WD and camping gear, however, the rewards are well worth the effort.

From the forest roads around Beenak to the views at Seven Acre Rock, the timber history of Powelltown and the peaceful surroundings of Starlings Gap, this part of Victoria offers everything you could want from a short 4WD camping escape.

You don't always need to travel hundreds of kilometres to find adventure.

Sometimes, all you need is a full tank of fuel, a capable 4WD, the right gear and a dirt road leading into the forest.