Cooks Mill Camping Area

A man walks past a fire pit and rustic wooden log bench, with tents pitched in the campsite behind him bordered by large trees and dense vegetation.

This area has additional visitor advice This area has reported issues This area is closed

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Cooks Mill Camping Area

Tucked away next to the Little River on the site of an old timber mill, Cooks Mill Camping Area is shaded by Peppermint, Blackwood and Red Stringybark gum trees.
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Cooks Mill Camping Area sits on the site of an old sawmill that operated in the 1940s to 1950s. Explore the nearby Heritage Site or meander through Manna Gum forest along the Friends Nature Trail or Little River Walk where you might spot a koala snoozing above.

Fit hikers can try one of the harder walks up to the peaks of the North or South Jawbone for unforgettable views over the Cathedral Range. There is also great rock climbing at nearby North Jawbone, South Jawbone and Sugarloaf Peak.

Individual campsites cannot be reserved, please select your campsite within the campground on arrival. Sites are not marked but are large enough for tents, with a limited area suitable for camper trailers, campervans and caravans.

Advanced bookings and payment are required year-round.

Campground features include non-flush toilets, picnic tables, communal fireplaces and a shelter.

Cooks Mill main camping area is open year-round. The section of Cooks Mill camping area along Tweed Spur Road is open for the warmer months, and seasonally closed to protect campsites which become water-logged in the wetter months. The seasonal closure for the section along Tweed Spur Road is implemented in line with seasonal road closures, following the Kings Birthday long weekend in June and re-open before Melbourne Cup Weekend in November, but may be extended if conditions are not suitable to safely re-open.

Things To Do

Easy walks for families - The Friends Nature Walk, Little River Walk, Messmate Walk, St Bernards Track

Short steep walks - Neds Gully Track, Neds Peak Track, Cathedral Peak Walk, Little Cathedral Track, Jawbone Creek Track

More challenging hikes - Cathedral Range Circuit Walk, Cathedral Range Northern Circuit Walk, Cathedral Range Southern Circuit Walk, South Jawbone Peak Walk, North Jawbone Peak Walk, Razorback Track. The Canyon Track and Wells Cave Track are not recommended for children, or anyone with a fear of heights and exposed cliffs.

A 10 year-old girl and her grandmother walk through the lush green valley next to Little River.

Friends Nature Trail

Suitable for families, this gentle 2km one-hour circuit walk is a great alternative to the more strenuous walks up on the Range. Crossing footbridges over Storm Creek and Little River, and passing the old sawmill, the trail is a fantastic place to take in the sights, sounds and smells of a Manna Gum forest. To access the walk, follow the signs from Cooks Mill campground.
A mother and young daughter walk across Sugarloaf Saddle in magnifficent panoramic views either side of them.

Razorback Trail

This track links The Farmyard to Sugarloaf Peak. It crosses exposed rocky outcrops. Look for the markers to help you keep to the track This walk is rated hard with an expected duration of two hours.
A woman in a purple shirt scrambles up through rocky terrain along the path.

Sugarloaf Saddle

Park information, picnic ground, parking and toilets are available at Sugarloaf Saddle, which is the starting point for walks such as Canyon Track and Wells Cave Track.

Wells Cave Track

Climb through open eucalypt forest via Wells Cave Walk, before scrambling through Wells Caves and rock-climbing to the highest point on the Range. Stand atop Sugarloaf Peak (920m) and see the rugged ridge of Cathedral Range stretch out before you.

How to get there

Cooks Mill Camping Area

From Melbourne follow the Maroondah Highway to Buxton. Continue past Buxton for 9.5km and turn right into Cathedral Lane to find the park entrance 2.5km on your right.

Continue past Neds Gully and Cooks Mill Camping Area is located at the start of Lowerson Track off Little River Road just before it crosses the river.

Cooks Mill Camping Area

Sites

When you're there

Download the Cathedral Range State Park visitor guide for more information about the park and the plethora of experiences to be had within its borders.

Cathedral Range State Park is in the North Central fire district. Bushfire safety is a personal responsibility. Anyone entering parks and forests during the bushfire season needs to stay aware of forecast weather conditions.

Check the Fire Danger Rating and for days of Total Fire Ban in the ‘Prepare and Get Ready’ tab at emergency.vic.gov.au, on the VicEmergency smartphone app or call the VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226.

Need to know

Cooks Mill Camping Area

Accessibility

Visiting a park can be more of a challenge for people with disabilities, however in Victoria there are a wide range of facilities to help people of all abilities enjoy our wonderful parks around the state.

Be prepared and stay safe

Cathedral Range State Park is in the Central fire district. Bushfire safety is a personal responsibility. Anyone entering the park during the bushfire season needs to stay aware of forecast weather conditions. Check the Fire Danger Rating and for days of Total Fire Ban at emergency.vic.gov.au, on the Vic Emergency App or call the Vic Emergency Hotline 1800 226 226.

No fires may be lit on Total Fire Ban days. On Catastrophic Fire Danger Rating days this park will be closed for public safety. Closure signs will be erected but do not expect an official warning.

Change of Conditions

Nature being nature, sometimes conditions can change at short notice. It’s a good idea to check this page ahead of your visit for any updates.

  • Cathedral Range State Park

    Tweed Spur Road, to Messmate Walking Track and Blue Range Road

    Tweed Spur Road, to Messmate Walking Track and Blue Range Road, is open to walkers.
    The road is closed to vehicles; it will re-open to vehicles in-line with Seasonal Road Re-openings for the Melbourne Cup Long Weekend in November. 

Similar experiences

 

Neds Gully Camping Area

The camping area is located by crossing the bridge off Little River Road towards Neds Gully Track. The campground is situated 50 meters from the car park.
A woman leads her partner across the Razorback track surrounded by stunning views of the Rubicon Valley.

The Farmyard

This campground is accessible to hikers only. It is located off the unsealed Razorback Ridge Track at the base of South Jawbone Peak.
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