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 (during seasonal road closure)

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 is scheduled to start on the 10th of August 2026, with an expected completion in late September, 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.

FAQs

What does the project include?
The project includes the following elements:

Removal of the existing 4 toilet blocks.

Installation of 3 stall drop toilets at Sheepyard Flat North and Sheepyard Flat South.

One stall in each toilet block will be all-abilities.

Installation of 2 stall drop toilets at Frys Flat North and Frys Flat South.

One stall to be all-abilities.

Installation of 2 separate sealed tanks between 5000L and 10,000L under each toilet for Sheepyard Flat and 2 tanks of 5000L under each toilet at Frys flat to reduce pump outs.

Installation of a 2000L water tank at Sheepyard flat toilet blocks and a 1000L water tank at the Frys flat toilet block for handwashing.

Minimal removal of shrubs and saplings around the construction areas.
What is the Howqua Hills Historic Area Toilet Upgrade project?

Parks Victoria is replacing 4 old toilet blocks within Howqua Hills Historic Area, 2 toilet blocks at Sheepyard Flat North and South, and 2 toilet blocks at Fry’s Flat North and South.
Why do the toilets need to be replaced?

All 4 toilets are old, non-compliant with EPA requirements and have deteriorated to very poor condition. This project will improve the visitor facilities in these popular sites, increase accessibility and bring the toilets into compliance with EPA requirements.
Will there be closures of the camping areas during works?

Each camping area will remain open during works, but campers must provide self-contained toilets, if they wish to stay in a camping area where toilet blocks are closed for construction.
Will all the toilet blocks be closed at the same time?

Each toilet block will be closed to ensure public safety during construction. The toilet installations will be completed in a staggered approach to ensure one facility remains open for visitors at Sheepyard Flats. Fry’s Flat will be under seasonal road closure during construction, so both of the Fry’s Flat toilet blocks will be completed at the same time.
Can I still camp with my horse at the Frys Flat Horse Yards during construction?

The designated horse camping sites located at Fry’s Flat are only open seasonally between 1 November and 31 May. The project should be completed by the start of the season in November 2026 and not impact any current or future bookings.
When will the toilet construction take place?

Works are expected to take place between August and the end of September 2026, subject to weather conditions as well as material and contractor availability.
Where can I stay?
The following flats on the banks of the Howqua River are available for vehicles all year around and have drop toilets:

Blackbird Flat

Davon's Flat

Pickerings Flat

Tunnel Bend Flat

Sheepyard Flats remain open for campers during construction. While works are taking place in Sheepyard Flat North, Sheepyard Flat South toilets will remain open for campers. Once works have been completed and the toilets have been reopened in Sheepyard Flat North, Sheepyard Flat South toilets will close.
What is the 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. The program is providing more opportunities for people to spend time in nature, and with that, experience the health and wellbeing benefits of being outdoors.
Can I camp at Frys Flat or Sheepyard flat while public toilets are closed?

Seasonal road closures are in place for Noonans and Frys Flat between mid-June through late October, however campers can still walk in and camp as long as they are self-contained. Campers who have self-contained toilets or portaloos can also continue to camp at Sheepyard Flat while the toilets are closed.
How is the project funded?

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