Lake Elizabeth Campground

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Lake Elizabeth Campground

Lake Elizabeth Campground is a dogs-on-lead camping area. Sheltered by tall eucalypt trees it nestles beside the small Barwon River. Lake Elizabeth is a short 1km walk away. Forrest Mountain Bike Trailhead is at the Day Visitor Carpark. Pitch a tent in the small campground. Look and listen for Satin Bowerbirds and inquisitive Superb Fairy-wrens and Eastern Yellow Robins.

There are 20 campsites accommodating up to six people per site. All campsites are unpowered and are suitable for tents only. There is no direct vehicle access to the campsites. A 15-minute unloading bay is located close by and a separate carpark is located above and behind the campground just a two minute walk away.

Non flush toilets, shared fireplaces and picnic tables are provided. Dogs are permitted on-lead.

Once you're unpacked and set up, walk the 1km to beautiful Lake Elizabeth. Flooded after a landslip created a natural dam, the lake is scattered with the still-upright trunks of dead trees, giving an eerie atmosphere to the valley. Platypus are sometimes seen early morning and at dusk in the still waters. A host of birds live in the area and Satin Bowerbirds (the male dark satin blue and the female is olive green) are often seen near the camping round. Wrens, robins and grey shrike thrush also visit regularly. You may see glowworms beside this track after dark.

Dogs should be kept on-lead to reduce their impact on native wildlife and to preserve their health and your dogs as snakes are common in this area and its walks. There is poor mobile phone reception here.

Explore the area by walking, canoeing, mountain biking and four-wheel driving. Birdwatching is popular here. The village of Forrest is nearby for supplies and is a major mountain bike trailhead for the area's cycling network.

As rivers, lakes and reservoirs are natural environments, you may encounter hazards. Follow our water safety advice to make sure your day out at Lake Elizabeth is a safe and enjoyable one.


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Things to do

 
Canoeing

Canoeing and Kayaking

Canoeing and kayaking are great ways to explore beautiful waterways. Enjoy the tranquility and spot wildlife that hikers don’t normally see.
A young mountain biker attempts a drop while cheered on by his father and older sister at the You Yangs Regional Park.

Mountain biking

Explore parks on two wheels with mountain bike trails to suit most experience and fitness levels.

How to get there

Lake Elizabeth Campground

Lake Elizabeth Campground is a 10 minute drive from the town of Forrest along Kaanglang Road. It is two hours' drive from Melbourne.

When to go

A great time of year to explore the walks, drives and rides of the Otways.

Need to know

Lake Elizabeth Campground

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.

  • Notices Affecting Multiple Sites

    Kalimna Tramline link walk and Upper Kalimna is closed

    The Kalimna Tramline link walk is closed due to damage to a pedestrian bridge. Walkers can still access the Lower Kalimna Waterfall via the Kalimna Falls Walking Track, which starts at Sheoak Picnic Area. Upper Kalimna Falls closed until further notice.


    Night closures of park tracks in Great Otway National Park for conservation work

    Parks Victoria  will be conducting conservation shooting programs at night throughout the Great Otway National Park between April and June 30th 2025.  To ensure the safety of park visitors and staff, track closures will occur at night around shooting operation areas.
    Campgrounds and campground access will remain open, as will most visitor sites.  Track closures will be temporary and should not cause too much inconvenience for park visitors.  Should you require more information, please email westregiondcp@parks.vic.gov.au or call Parks Victoria on 13 19 63.

  • Cora Lynn Cascades Walk (Great Otway National Park)

    Cora Lynn Cascades Walking Track Closure

    Cora Lynn Cascades walking track is currently closed due to damaged infrastructure. Please note this closure will affect you if you plan to walk from Allenvale through to Erskine falls and vice versa. 

  • Aire River East Campground (Aire River Heritage River, Great Otway National Park)

    Aire East campground- Temporary Closure

    The Aire River East campground will be temporarily closed from June 1st until October 30th 2025 due to wet conditions.
    Alternative camping is available at the Aire west campground or Johanna Beach campground.

    Seasonal Closure Notification – Aire East Campground

    Closure Dates: 1 June – 30 October 2025

    Aire East Campground will be fully closed over the winter period and into early spring, due to consistently wet ground conditions. The closure is in place to ensure visitor safety, comfort, and to prevent damage to the campground’s grassed surfaces.

    This closure is in line with Parks Victoria’s commitment to sustainable park management and will remain in effect until 30 October 2025.

    Camping in closed areas is not permitted under the National Park Regulations 2024.

    We appreciate your understanding and encourage you to explore alternative camping locations in the region during this time.

    Closure may be extended if the campground has not dried out.

  • Aire River West Campground (Aire River Heritage River, Great Otway National Park)

    Seasonal Partial Closure Notification – Aire West Campground

    Closure Dates: 1 June – 30 September 2025

    Due to wet and muddy ground conditions during the cooler months, Sites 17 to 40 at Aire West Campground will be closed from 1 June to 30 September 2025. Extended closure may be required to ensure conditions are suitable for opening.

    Sites 1 to 16 will remain open, subject to suitable dry conditions. Campers are advised to check the latest updates before travelling.

    Note: The Great Ocean Walk hike-in campground at Aire West is not affected and remains open year-round.

    These closures help protect campground surfaces and ensure safe, comfortable camping experiences. Camping in closed areas is not permitted and is subject to National Park Regulations 2024.

    We thank you for your cooperation and commitment to caring for the park.

  • Aire Crossing Campground (Aire River Heritage River, Great Otway National Park)

    Halls Ridge Rd - Seasonally CLOSED

    • Halls Ridge Rd in the Great Otway National Park is seasonally closed from late May 2025 until re-opening in Spring 2025.
    • Aire Crossing camp ground can be accessed via Phillips Tk and Aire Crossing Tk to the north.
    • Closed areas of the National Park are subject to National Park Regulations.

  • Maits Rest Rainforest Walk (Great Otway National Park)

    Maits Rest walk closure

    Maits Rest is temporarily closed due to tree fall damage to the track. Alternative walking is available at Melba Gully near Lavers Hill.

    Maits Rest Carpark- bus access

    Maits Rest Carpark is suitable for small coaster buses only. Large buses or coaches are advised to use Melba Gully walk track near Lavers Hill.

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