Best Alternatives to Popular Victorian Campgrounds

Camping is a great way to enjoy nature and take a break from everyday life.

It’s a chance to unplug and escape the busy pace of modern life. Victoria has hundreds of fantastic campgrounds across the state but some of Victoria’s most popular campgrounds can get crowded, especially during summer, school holidays, and long weekends.

If you’re looking for a great camping experience in Victoria without the crowds, we’ve put together a list of alternatives to popular campgrounds, including the best times to visit.

 

Best alternative campgrounds at a glance

Popular campground Lesser-known alternative Best for
Tidal River Campground, Wilsons Promontory National Park Buchan Caves Campground, Buchan Caves Reserve Families that prefer powered sites
Aire River West, Blanket Bay and Johanna Beach Campgrounds, Great Otway National Park Bear Gully Campground, Cape Liptrap Coastal Park Easy access to rock pooling, fishing, surfing and coastal walks
Banksia Bluff Campground, Cape Conran Coastal Park Paradise Beach Campground, Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park Camping with your dog
Cooks Mill Campground, Cathedral Range State Park Smiths Mill Campground, Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park Easy access to popular day hikes
Lake Catani Campground, Mount Buffalo National Park Budj Bim Campground, Budj Bim National Park UNESCO world heritage listed, best for cultural experiences

 

If you like Tidal River Campground, you’ll like Buchan Caves Campground.

Location: Buchan Caves Campground, Buchan Caves Reserve, Krauatungalung Country

Distance from Melbourne: 4.5 hours, 360km

Camping type: powered and unpowered sites, 2WD accessible, tents, caravans, and camper trailers

Facilities: hot showers, flushing toilets, laundry, camper’s kitchen, electric and wood fired barbeques, picnic tables

Best time to visit: September – November, March, or May

Booking required? Yes – book now

If you love the easy access to beautiful nature landscapes and the convenience of family-friendly facilities at Tidal River, the leafy Buchan Caves Campground in East Gippsland is also a great spot for families. The reserve is full of wildlife, and you’ll be able to hear over 100 bird species in the reserve, like Bellbirds and Lyrebirds. Kangaroos are often seen lounging around the campground.

Buchan Caves Reserve offers many walking trails, Victoria’s largest cave system, a cold-water pool, a visitor centre and the nearby town of Buchan, all close by. If you’re up for a short drive, you can visit Snowy River National Park, just 20-minutes north, or head 45-minutes south to Lake Tyers State Park for fishing on the lake, picnics or a scenic drive through beautiful rainforest.

Buchan Caves Campground has 40 powered campsites and 21 unpowered sites.

Learn how to spend a long weekend in the Buchan Caves region.

Tip: There’s also the option to book the Buchan Caves House which sleeps up to eight people. It’s a cosy, country style home with river views from the front deck. This might be a good option if you’re looking for a more accessible place to stay.

Children and adults talking to each other next to tent and caravan in a campground

Buchan Caves Campground, Buchan Caves Reserve

 

If you like Aire River West, Blanket Bay or Johanna Beach Campgrounds, you’ll like Bear Gully Campground.

Location: Bear Gully Campground, Cape Liptrap Coastal Park, Gunaikurnai, Bunurong and Boonwurrung Country

Distance from Melbourne: 2.5 hours, 190km

Camping type: unpowered sites, 2WD accessible, tents, campervans, caravans, camper trailers

Facilities: non-flush toilets, communal fireplaces (BYO firewood), picnic tables

Best time to visit: May – December

Booking required? Yes – book now

Great Otway National Park has many campgrounds perfect for water-based activities, while Bear Gully Campground offers additional ways to enjoy the water. Just a short walk from an unpatrolled surf beach in South Gippsland, it’s a great campground for rock pooling, fishing, surfing and coastal walks.

Cape Liptrap Coastal Park has several walking trails for all abilities. Be sure to come prepared for changing weather conditions.

If you need supplies, the closest supermarket is a 25-minute drive away in Tarwin Lower. You can also drive a further 5 minutes to explore Venus Bay.

Bear Gully Campground has 34 unpowered campsites, and 17 of them are suitable for campervans, caravans or trailers.

Tip: The nearest patrolled beaches that are safe for swimming are at Sandy Point and Venus Bay, both a 30-minute drive away.

Family sitting around campfire in a designated campground area

Bear Gully Campground, Cape Liptrap Coastal Park

 

If you like Banksia Bluff Campground, you’ll like Paradise Beach Campground.

Location: Paradise Beach Campground, Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park, Gunaikurnai Country

Distance from Melbourne: 3 hours, 250km

Camping type: unpowered sites, 2WD accessible, tents, caravans, campervans, camper trailers, dog friendly (on-lead)

Facilities: non-flush toilets, communal fireplaces (BYO firewood), picnic tables

Best time to visit: April – November

Booking required? Yes – book now

If you enjoy bringing your dog along on camping trips, then Paradise Beach Campground is a great alternative to Banksia Bluff Campground. Nestled between the ocean and Lake Reeves, this campground offers secluded coastal camping in the Gippsland Lakes area. You can enjoy the quiet beach, surf fishing, swimming, or go on walks to explore the more secluded areas of the park.

Ninety Mile Beach Marine National Park is one of the most natural and unspoilt beaches in the world. The beach lies on the edge of a long slender sand dune with an uninterrupted vista of endless sand that stretches as far as the eye can see.

Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park is just 30 minutes from Sale and offers 12 unpowered sites at Paradise Beach Campground. It is recommended to book ahead during peak periods due to the area's size and popularity.

Tip: Keep your dog on a leash to ensure a safe and enjoyable camping experience for everyone, including the local wildlife.

White van parked next to picnic table in a campsite, shaded by trees

Paradise Beach Campground, Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park

 

If you like Cooks Mill Campground, you’ll like Smiths Mill Campground.

Location: Smiths Mill Campground, Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park

Distance from Melbourne: 3.5 hours, 270km

Camping type: unpowered sites, 2WD accessible, tents, caravans, campervans, camper trailers

Facilities: non-flush toilets, bush shower, shared firepits (BYO firewood), barbeques, picnic tables

Best time to visit: All year

Booking required? Yes – book now

Cooks Mill Campground offers visitors easy access to many walking trails in Cathedral Range State Park. Similarly, Smiths Mill Campground is in the heart of Gariwerd, surrounded by tall Stringybarks and heathy forest. It’s a large campground and an ideal spot to explore well-known attractions like Mackenzie Falls, Lake Wartook, Boroka Lookout, and Zumsteins Picnic Area.

This campground is also a perfect base for exploring significant Aboriginal rock art, wildflowers, and the natural beauty of Gariwerd all year round.

There are 28 sites suitable for tent-based camping with nearby vehicle parking, and five drive-in sites suitable for camper-trailers, caravans and campervans.

Tip: Before exploring, visit Brambuk – The National Park & Cultural Centre in Halls Gap to get the latest information on walks, camping, and tours. You can also book and hire an all-terrain wheelchair (TrailRider) from the visitor centre.

Tent set up in a quiet campground sitting under lots of tall trees around the tent

Smiths Mill Campground, Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park

 

If you like Lake Catani Campground, you’ll like Budj Bim Campground.

Location: Budj Bim Campground, Budj Bim National Park, Gunditjmara Country

Distance from Melbourne: 4.5 hours, 330 km

Camping type: unpowered sites, 2WD accessible, tents, camper trailers, caravans

Facilities: flushing toilets, hot showers, water (untreated natural supply), shared firepits, gas barbeques, picnic tables

Best time to visit: All year

Booking required? Yes – book now

If you enjoy venturing further to explore unique landscapes, Budj Bim Campground is a great alternative to the sub-alpine environment around Lake Catani.

Nestled within tranquil bushland, this campground is set in a unique landscape formed by ancient volcanic eruptions and is a great base for day-hiking. You can camp near Lake Surprise, a crater lake with short walks nearby, and explore the fascinating volcanic scenery with a variety of nearby trails that range from one to three hours.

The small town of Macarthur is just a few kilometres from Budj Bim National Park. Here, you can buy food, fuel, and other supplies. The nearest city is Hamilton, a 30-minute drive north.

This campground usually has availability year-round. There are 22 campsites of different sizes, with some suitable for small caravans and camper-trailers. Campsite 22 can accommodate 7-24 people.

Tip: Visit the Tae Rak Aquaculture Centre for a a guided cultural tour or enjoy a meal prepared by a local Gunditjmara chef in the cafe, just 30 minutes west of the campground. Find out more.

Check out our Budj Bim National Park 3-day itinerary.

Father and son kicking a football to each other, while mum stands in background with another child in her arms

Budj Bim Campground, Budj Bim National Park

 

Before you go

Before you pack the car for your next camping adventure, check out these helpful resources:

 

For generations, camping has brought Victorians together to bond, explore, and create lasting memories. Start planning your next camping adventure today.

 

For more inspiration or exciting things to see and do in Victoria’s parks and reserves, subscribe to our monthly Outdoor Inspiration e-newsletter.

X
By using our site you accept that we use and share cookies and similar technologies with certain approved third parties. These tools enable us to improve your website experience and to provide content and ads tailored to your interests. By continuing to use our site you consent to this. Please see our Privacy Policy for more information.
Confirm