Howqua Hills Historic Area toilet upgrades

The project

This project is being delivered on Taungurung Country.

The Howqua Hills Historic Area offers a range of car-based riverside camping areas near Mansfield. Situated in a spectacular natural setting at the gateway to the Alpine National Park, the sites are accessible by two-wheel-drive vehicles and support a variety of recreational activities, including camping, fishing, four-wheel driving, and nature-based relaxation. Combined with their relatively close proximity to Melbourne, these attributes make the area a popular destination for visitors.

Parks Victoria is replacing 4 old toilet blocks in Howqua Hills Historic Area to improve the overall visitor experience, as well as providing new facilities for all ability accessibility, whilst ensuring the toilets are compliant with EPA requirements.

Works will be delivered between August and the end of September 2026, during the low visitation period.

Each toilet block will be closed during works to ensure public safety during construction. The toilet installations will be completed in a staggered approach to ensure one facility remains open for visitors.

Toilet blocks will be demolished and replaced in order of priority:

Sheepyard Flat North
Sheepyard Flat South
Fry’s Flat South & Fry’s Flat North (seasonal road closure, so can be done simultaneously)

Last updated: July 2026

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A large shed surrounds by grass and trees.

Image above: Fry's Hut, Howqua Falls Historic Area

Toilet designs

The toilet designs are cost-effective, sustainable, easy to maintain, and EPA compliant.

An artist's rendering of the toilet design for Frys Steel from a side view and a front view.

Image above: Toilet design for Frys Flat – Steel toilet design with colourbond cladding

An artist's rendering of the completed alpine toilet for Sheepyard Flat North and South. There is a building with 3 toilets surrounded by trees.

Image above: Alpine toilet design for Sheepyard Flat North and South

Project benefits

Visitors

The upgrades will improve visitor experience and amenities in the popular camping grounds.

Environment

Updating the toilet block will bring the sites in line with current environmental requirements.

Project funding

This project has been funded from the Victorian Government’s ‘Victoria’s Great Outdoors’ program.

The Victoria’s Great Outdoors program is a $106.6 million investment by the Victorian Government into better campgrounds, walking trails, 4WD tracks and visitor facilities across Victoria’s parks and state forests.

Timeline

Construction of the new toilets will start in early August 2026, with an expected completed date of late October, pending construction and seasonal conditions.

Environment and cultural heritage management

The environment and cultural heritage on site will be protected throughout the delivery of works.

Who are we working with?

Taungurung Land and Waters Council (TLaWC) and Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA).

Access changes

Check the Howqua Hills Historic Area page to stay up to date with temporary closures and changes in conditions.

Staying updated

Subscribe to receive updates on this and other projects and news in parks. You can also email us with enquiries at engage@vic.gov.au. As the project progresses, information on this page will be updated.