Victoria may be Australia’s smallest mainland state but it packs extraordinary camping diversity into its compact geography. Alpine national parks, dramatic coastal clifftops, rich red gum river flats and dense mountain ash forests all within a few hours of each other. Parks Victoria manages an excellent network of campgrounds at government-regulated prices. Here are the 12 best camping destinations in Victoria.
1. Wilsons Promontory National Park
The Prom, as Victorians call it, is the jewel of the state’s national parks. Tidal River campground sits at the end of a 30km road through the park and has excellent facilities including powered sites, hot showers, a general store and a visitor centre. Sites range from $15 to $45 per night depending on site type. The Prom is one of the most popular parks in Australia — booking opens months in advance and peak season sites disappear within minutes. The walking tracks to the southern tip of mainland Australia are world-class. Southern right whales are seen offshore in winter and spring.
2. Grampians National Park
The dramatic sandstone ranges of the Grampians in western Victoria offer some of Australia’s finest camping. The Halls Gap camping area has multiple options from the caravan park to more basic bush sites. The Major Mitchell Plateau sites are for more experienced campers. Brambuk National Park and Cultural Centre at Halls Gap provides excellent context for the Djab wurrung and Jardwadjali people whose country this is. The Pinnacle walk and MacKenzie Falls are both excellent day trips from any campground in the park. Book ahead for all sites during school holidays.
3. Alpine National Park — Howqua Hills
The Howqua Hills area of the Alpine National Park near Mansfield is one of Victoria’s best high-country camping destinations. The Fry Flat camping area on the Howqua River is free and has basic facilities. The crystal-clear Howqua River is excellent for swimming and trout fishing in season. Multiple 4WD tracks explore the surrounding high country. Snow gums, mountain ash and beautiful open valleys characterise this landscape. Spring wildflowers are exceptional. 4WD access only after rain.
4. Croajingolong National Park
Stretching along Victoria’s far east coast from Bemm River to the NSW border, Croajingolong is a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve protecting one of the world’s most intact temperate coastal wilderness areas. The Wingan Inlet and Thurra River campgrounds are the most popular — both at $15-20 per adult per night. The wilderness beaches are empty for kilometres. Humpback whales migrate past in winter. Banksia heath, coastal scrub and rainforest gullies all accessible from camp. Book well ahead — very popular with serious nature lovers.
5. Snowy River National Park
In Victoria’s northeast, the Snowy River National Park protects the upper reaches of the famous river immortalised in Banjo Paterson’s poetry. The McKillops Bridge camping area sits right on the river — swimming in summer is excellent. Sites are free with basic facilities. The Little River Gorge walk from here is genuinely spectacular — walls hundreds of metres high. Remote and peaceful. The unsealed road from Buchan requires a careful driver but is passable in a 2WD in dry conditions.
6. Morwell National Park
Morwell National Park in the Latrobe Valley is a pocket of ancient forest surprisingly close to industrial Gippsland. Free camping is available at the Kookaburra camping area. The giant mountain ash trees here are among the tallest flowering plants on earth — some exceed 80 metres. Walking tracks through the cool temperate rainforest are excellent year-round. Perfect for a peaceful midweek escape from Melbourne — just 150km via the Princes Highway.
7. Little Desert National Park
Despite its name, Little Desert is anything but barren. The springtime wildflower displays in this park in Victoria’s western Wimmera are among the finest in Australia. The Horseshoe Bend camping area is low-cost with basic facilities. The mallee scrub, heath and pink lakes make for a unique landscape very different from most of Victoria. Malleefowl are present — look for their enormous nest mounds. The park is best visited September to November for wildflowers.
8. Mount Buffalo National Park
One of Victoria’s most beloved mountain destinations, Mount Buffalo offers camping at the Lake Catani campground surrounded by granite tors at 1480 metres altitude. Sites are $15-20 per adult per night and book out for all summer weekends. Snow camping is popular in winter for experienced campers. The plateau walks are excellent — the Hump, Monolith Valley and Cathedral are all superb. The historic Mount Buffalo Chalet is worth visiting even if not staying. Mountain biking and rock climbing are also popular.
9. Murray-Sunset National Park
Victoria’s largest national park covers 6,330 square kilometres of semi-arid mallee in the northwest corner of the state. The Pink Lakes (Lake Crosbie) are a remarkable phenomenon — naturally occurring pink salt lakes that change intensity with season and temperature. Free camping is available at multiple sites throughout the park. 4WD recommended for most internal tracks. This is genuine remote outback Victoria — bring all supplies. Extraordinary stargazing in the dark skies.
10. Baw Baw National Park
On the edge of the alpine plateau east of Melbourne, Baw Baw offers subalpine camping at the Mount Baw Baw Village camping area. The village sits at 1560 metres — snow is possible in any month. In summer the alpine wildflowers are spectacular and the walks to the summit plateau reward with sweeping views towards Wilson’s Promontory and Port Phillip Bay on clear days. The endangered Baw Baw frog is found only on this plateau. Sites from $12 per adult per night.
11. Port Campbell National Park
Home to the Twelve Apostles, Port Campbell National Park is Victoria’s most visited — but most visitors only stop at the tourist carparks and never camp. The Port Campbell Discovery Bay campground puts you within walking distance of the clifftops at night and dawn, when the tourist crowds have gone. Sites from $15 per adult per night. The full Great Ocean Road experience belongs to those who camp here and walk the clifftops at sunrise. London Bridge and Loch Ard Gorge are equally dramatic at first light.
12. Burrowa-Pine Mountain National Park
On the upper Murray near Corryong in Victoria’s northeast, Burrowa-Pine Mountain protects the rugged ranges above the river valley. The Mount Mittamatite camping area is free with basic facilities. Walking tracks through snow gum woodland to granite tors deliver big views across the upper Murray Valley and into NSW. The Man from Snowy River Bush Festival in Corryong celebrates the culture of this high country. Autumn colour in the valley below is superb in April and May.
Tips for Camping in Victoria
- Book Parks Victoria campgrounds through parks.vic.gov.au — popular sites book out 6+ months ahead
- The Parks Victoria app provides offline maps, track notes and conditions updates
- Total Fire Ban days are common in summer — always check the CFA website before lighting any fire
- Victorian alpine areas can receive snow in any month — always bring warm layers
- Dogs are not permitted in national parks but are allowed in many state parks and forests
- Public holiday weekends book out immediately when reservations open — set a reminder
- Many free camping areas operate on a self-registration system — always pay fees honestly
Victoria rewards the camper who gets off the tourist trail. While Wilsons Promontory and the Grampians are justifiably famous, the remote parks of the far east, northwest and alpine regions offer equally spectacular experiences with a fraction of the crowds. Plan your next Victorian camping adventure around the less-visited gems on this list.