Victoria's regions
Victoria — known for its gourmet food, stunning multifaceted landscapes, the Victorian High Country, the Yarra Valley wine region, The Great Ocean Road (including the Twelve Apostles), its gold rush and being home to the country’s second-most populated city, Melbourne — is made up of 21 official tourism regions.
These are Melbourne, Ballarat, Bendigo Loddon, Central Highlands, Central Murray, Geelong and the Bellarine, Gippsland, Goulburn, High Country, Lakes, Macedon, Mallee, Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges, Murray East, Peninsula, Phillip Island, Spa Country, Great Ocean Road, Western Grampians and Wimmera.
This piece highlights some of Victoria’s top free and affordable camping spots across these regions.
Camping grounds
*FREEBIE* (until 30 June 2025) Johanna Beach Campground, Great Ocean Road
Since 1 December 2024, camping fees at 131 Parks Victoria sites have been waived until 30 June 2025.
One of these is Johanna Beach Campground, a hidden gem in the Great Otway National Park, approximately three hours southwest of Melbourne by car.
Set near a pristine beach perfect for surfing, swimming and fishing, the site offers 25 unpowered spaces amidst lush greenery. Facilities include basic drop toilets and sheltered picnic areas. Visitors must bring their own water and supplies. The campground is accessible to standard vehicles, and bookings are required through the Parks Victoria booking website.
*FREEBIE* Red Bluff Campground, Gippsland
Red Bluff Campground, located in Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park, is located about a three-hour drive east of Melbourne in the scenic Gippsland region. This coastal campsite offers a base for exploring nearby attractions such as Ninety Mile Beach and Lakes National Park. It is accessed off the sandy tracks from the Longford-Loch Sport Road, not long before the town of Loch Sport. Campsites are unpowered and are suitable for tents, camper trailers and caravans, with a maximum occupancy of one vehicle and up to six people per site. You will need to bring in your own potable water. Facilities include toilets and barbecue areas. There is a boat ramp and jetty at nearby Loch Sport, as well as a FoodWorks supermarket, general store and post office, pharmacy and the Loch Sport Marina Hotel.
Contact: parks.vic.gov.au/places-to-see/sites/red-bluff-campground
*FREEBIE* Green Hill Lake Reserve Ararat, Central Highlands
No matter how small your swag or tent, no matter how large your caravan, motorhome or big rig, and no matter whatever RV you tow, you are welcome at this free camping reserve.
Bookings are not required; just pick an available spot, set up camp and settle in for a comfortable stay. You could pick a different activity every day — boating, cycling, fishing (rainbow trout and redfin), swimming, bushwalking, canoeing or birdwatching — and still not be bored after a week here! And in the very unlikely event that you do, you can walk or cycle around 4km on a sealed path into Ararat to check out its museums, gallery, shops and Alexandra Gardens.
Camping at Green Hill Lake Reserve is free, however donations to the volunteers of the Green Hill Lake Development Board (who assist the managing authority and provider of the lake reserve, Ararat Rural City Council, in maintaining the facilities and developing the Green Hill Lake area) are thoroughly appreciated and can be made into the donation box at the main amenities block.
This first block is where there are hot showers and a sink for washing up dishes. Another amenities block further along is opened when the reserve is busy and has cold showers (and an accessible toilet which is open year-round). Potable water is available from all the taps around the reserve; the water comes from the 11 or so reservoirs which comprise the Grampians Headworks Storages and is 100% safe to drink.
There are several barbecues, sheltered picnic tables and also a kids’ playground with a sunshade. The newer barbecues near the playground and the jetty are sheltered, and there is plenty of space for you to set up your own picnic table and chairs.
Glass bottles and jars are prohibited from the two boat ramps and all designated beach areas.
Vehicles must only be driven in areas set aside for the purpose of driving, parking or camping.
By all means bring your canine best friend; dogs are permitted however they must be under control and adequately restrained on a leash.
Campfires are permitted in the fireplaces.
To get there from the east, drive past Ampol Foodary Ararat Western Hwy for close to 1km then turn right at the Green Hill Lake sign, cross over the railway line (take extra caution here as there are regular passenger train services on the Melbourne via Ballarat V/Line route as well as at least 50 freight trains per week along the Melbourne–Adelaide corridor, and two services of The Overland each way.
From the west, drive through Ararat and after the roundabout and the level crossing, keep your eyes peeled for the sign to Green Hill Lake.
Caravan parks
Omeo Holiday Park, Lakes
Omeo Holiday Park
Around a five-hour drive northeast from Melbourne through spectacular scenery on the Great Alpine Road, Omeo Holiday Park is in the heart of the Victorian High Country.
This stunning location is the perfect base from which to radiate out and explore the surrounding area — especially the plethora of sensational four-wheel driving tracks.
Situated alongside a 2km frontage of the charming Livingstone Creek which eventually empties into the Mitta Mitta River, the park is strolling distance to the Hilltop Hotel, the historic sites of Omeo’s town centre and the Golden Age Hotel.
Powered and unpowered sites are available, and there is no limit on RV length. Facilities include two toilet and shower blocks, camp kitchen, games room, kids’ playground, barbecue, laundry facilities and a dump point.
Contact: omeoholidaypark.com or 03 5159 1800
Wangaratta Caravan Park, High Country
Blissfully far enough away from the M31 (Hume Freeway) as to not be kept awake by road train noise, but close enough to the city so that you are never far away from the shops (a short 10-minute walk or a two-minute drive), you will love this caravan park for its great location, under an hour’s drive to Rutherglen, Bright, Beechworth, Glenrowan, Myrtleford, Porepunkah or the gastronomic delights of the King Valley region. It is also a fabulous base from which to enjoy nearby 4WD tracks, bushwalking, birdwatching, fishing and much more. Wangaratta is also Australia’s home of jazz with the annual Wangaratta Festival of Jazz held there. The festival continues to grow since its inception in 1990, offering 90 events and more than 350 national and international artists performing each year. Accommodation options are various, including powered caravan and camping sites, budget ensuite cabins and two-bedroom family cabins and cottages. There are also pet-friendly powered sites available on request. Facilities include a camp kitchen replete with microwave, fridge, two barbecues (electric), a solar-heated swimming pool, kids’ playground, amenities block and coin-operated laundry facilities.
Contact: wangarattacaravanpark.com.au or 03 5721 3368
Return for part two
We’re not finished with Victoria’s best free and budget camping spots yet! Come back soon for part two.
