Bailes Camping Area

Towels hang to dry on a line beside a large tent, with rising smoke from a nearby campfire rising in the background amongst tall, towering trees.

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Bailes Camping Area

Bailes Camping Area is the perfect base to explore the number of short and long walks through the lush fern gullies and tall eucalypt forests of Mount Buangor State Park.
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Set in a grassy clearing dotted with gum trees this family-friendly camping area offers five unpowered campsites, suitable for tents, camper trailers, campervans and caravans.

Bailes Camping Area is the perfect base to explore the number of short and long walks through the lush fern gullies and tall eucalypt forests of Mount Buangor State Park.

Campground facilities include non-flush toilets, communal fireplaces and picnic tables. There is no drinking water available and you need to bring your own firewood.

The access road is unsealed but suitable for 2WD.

Individual campsites cannot be reserved, please select your campsite within the campground on arrival.

Advanced bookings and payment are required year-round. Each campsite holds a maximum of 6 people. Please book multiple sites for bookings of more than 6 people.

Things To Do

This area is well known for its wildlife. Keep an eye out for:

Two kangaroos stand in the grass at Woowookarung Regional Park.

Kangaroos

Kangaroos are one of the largest species of marsupial. They are most active at night, preferring to rest during the day.
A mother and joey wallaby on a rock surface with the ocean in the background at Wilsons Promontory National Park.

Wallabies

Wallabies are marsupials and members of the kangaroo family. They can be found in woodlands, forests and rugged terrain.

Wedge-tailed eagles

Crimson Rosella

How to get there

Bailes Camping Area

Mount Buangor State Park is located between Ararat and Beaufort on the Western Highway, Route A8. Take Ferntree Gully Road off the Western Highway. Bailes Camping Area is on Ferntree Gully Road, approximately 2.5km from the park entrance.
Bailes Camping Area

When you're there

Download the Mount Buangor State Park visitor guide and map for more information about the park and the experiences to be had within its borders.

Need to know

Bailes 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

Mount Buangor State Park is in the South West fire district. Bushfires can occur during the warmer months. It is your responsibility to check current and forecast weather conditions. Campfires cannot be lit on days of Total Fire Ban, however gas cookers can be used for preparing food.

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.

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.

  • Mount Buangor State Park

    Park closure - Fire recovery

    Following the February 2024 fire, the Mount Buangor State Park is closed for public safety until further notice to allow for stabilisation, recovery and rebuilding of visitor infrastructure. This includes Middle Creek, Ferntree and Bailes Camping Areas.

    Dairymaid road, Mount Buangor lookout, Grevillea lookout and the Beeripmo walk have reopened, accessible by the adjoining the Mt Cole State Forest.

    Read about our recovery progress on our Mount Buangor State Park fire recovery project page.

    Other Parks in the wider area available for camping and walking include:
    •   Langi Ghiran State Park - East of Ararat 
    •   Mount Beckworth Scenic Reserve - West of Clunes 
    •   Kara Kara National Park - North of Avoca
    •   Enfield State Park - South of Ballarat 
    •   Creswick Regional Park - Creswick
    •   Lake Bolac Lake Reserve - Lake Bolac

    Update: Reopening of Ferntree Waterfalls Road and Ferntree Day Visitor Site


    After many months of planning and works, Ferntree Visitor Area, Ferntree Waterfall walking track and the Ferntree Waterfalls Road will be reopening on Friday 21 November 2025.

    This popular site once again offers visitors a picnic experience and a short walk to the base of the beautiful Ferntree Falls. The reopening of the day visitor area includes car parking, picnic tables, toilets (portable toilets will be in place until new amenities are installed), and an improved walking track with a new pedestrian bridge leading to the base of the falls.

    Please note that access to the Ferntree day visitor area is currently only available via Ferntree Waterfalls Road. The remainder of the park, including the Ferntree, Bails, and Middle Creek campgrounds remains closed while recovery works continue.

    Fire recovery works in the Mount Buangor State Park has been complex and staff continue to work hard to reopen visitor sites, roads and walking tracks. We hope to announce further openings early next year.

     

Similar experiences

 
Campsite at Ferntree Camping Area at Mount Buangor State Park

Ferntree Camping Area

Relax and unwind among tall eucalypt forests and vibrant green ferns on the lush lower slopes of Mount Buangor,
A large canvas tent at Middle Creek Camping Area at Mount Buangor State Park

Middle Creek Camping Area

This quiet and secluded dry forest and woodland setting makes for an ideal place to unwind and relax in nature.
A man talks to his wife who is sitting on a camp chair as he exists his tent.

The Gums Camping

With great facilities in a delightful bush setting close to Melbourne, The Gums camping area is a popular base for relaxing and exploring the northern section of Kinglake National Park.
Two Grandparents and a mother sit by the camp fire while a young child plays in the background.

Cooks Mill Camping Area

The camping area is located at the start of Lowerson Track off Little River Road just before it crosses the river. This shady campground is located among tall trees on the banks of Little River.
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