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.
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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.

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.

  • Great Otway National Park

    Big Hill Campground seasonal closure

    Big Hill Campground in Great Otway National Park will be closed over the winter season, from 1 July 2024 to 1 October 2024.

  • Notices Affecting Multiple Sites

    Canyon Walking Track Closure

    Due to a damaged pedestrian bridge, Canyon walking track will be temporarily closed until maintenance works can be undertaken. 

    Aire River East and West Campgrounds- temporary closure of sites due to wet conditions until September 30 2024.

    Aire River East and West Campgrounds- temporary closure of sites due to wet conditions until September 30 2024.
    Due to high rainfall the Aire East campground and sites 19- 40 at Aire West campground will be closed. Site 1-18 at Aire West are unaffected.

  • Other issues

    Sharps Campground permanently closed

    Permanently closed due to environmental and safety risks. 

  • Melba Gully Day Visitor Area (Great Otway National Park)

    Melba Gully - Large bus access

    Melba Gully Walk Track and picnic area is accessible for large coaches. Toilet facilities are available on site

  • Maits Rest Rainforest Walk

    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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The jetty at Lake Catani near the campground at Mount Buffalo National Park

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A car camping set up at Aire River East Campground in the Great Otway National Park

Aire River East Campground

This campground is situated within the Great Otway National Park located on the banks of the Aire River Estuary. This area is home to a magnitude of native and migratory bird species as well as an abundance of fish species making it a great place to go bird watching, fishing, swimming and canoeing
A women in a bucket hat kayaks along Wingan Inlet.

Wingan Inlet Campground

This campground is in a tall Bloodwood forest on the western shore of Wingan Inlet in a tranquil bush setting.
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