Victorian camping spots available during spring school holidays
Looking for a last-minute camping destination for the family these school holidays? Here’s our guide to what’s available at these Victorian coastal, lakeside and bush campgrounds.
School Holidays
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The September school holidays are fast approaching and if you’ve yet to plan some time away with the kids, you’re in luck.
There are still plenty of paid camping sites available at campgrounds in Victoria’s national parks, including in the bush near the Buchan Caves, the coastal Croajingolong and way-out northwest at Wyperfeld.
Here’s a guide to places to visit these school holidays.
BUCHAN CAVES CAMPING AND ACCOMMODATION
Access via Caves Rd, Buchan.
Accommodation
— Powered sites: from $28.80 per night.
— Unpowered sites: from $25.90 per night.
— Cabins (fully booked for September school holidays).
— Wilderness Camps- fixed tents: from $203 per night.
— Caves House, luxury accommodation: from $265.60 per night.
Historic Caves House
— Sleeps up to 8 people.
— 3 bedrooms featuring queen size beds and one ante room with two single beds.
— All linen supplied.
— Fully furnished.
— Heating and cooling options.
— Beautiful covered front deck with river views.
— Outdoor BBQ and fire.
Arrival and departure times:
Arrival: 2pm. Departure: 10am.
Facilities:
Barbecue.
Hot water.
Drinking water.
Woodfire/campfire.
Kiosk.
Toilets.
Things to do:
Swimming pool fed by an underground stream.
Buchan Cave tours.
Hiking tracks.
Things to note:
No Pets.
Bookings required.
BUDJ BIM NATIONAL PARK
Formerly known as Mount Eccles National Park.
From Hamilton, take the Hamilton-Port Fairy Road and turn off at Macarthur. It can also be reached via the Princes Highway, turning off at Port Fairy and Macarthur.
Accommodation
— Unpowered sites (up to six people): from $25.90 per night.
— Unpowered sites (7-24 people): from $51.80 per night.
Arrival and departure times:
Arrival: 1pm. Departure: 12pm.
Facilities:
Hot water.
Drinking water.
Woodfire/campfire.
Toilets.
Things to do:
Cycling.
Hiking and walking tracks along lava canals.
Hike to Lake Surprise.
Things to note:
No Pets.
No rubbish disposal.
Bookings required.
CROAJINGOLONG NATIONAL PARK
MUELLER INLET CAMPGROUND
Enter via Bald Hills track via Point Hicks Rd.
Accommodation
— Unpowered sites: from $14.50 per night.
Facilities:
Non-flush toilets.
Things to do:
Canoeing, paddling.
Fishing.
Swimming.
Hiking.
4WD Cicada Trail.
Things to note:
BYO drinking water.
Gravel roads may be impassable after heavy downpours.
No campfires.
No Pets.
No rubbish disposal.
Bookings required.
THURRA RIVER CAMPGROUND
Enter via Bald Hills track via Point Hicks Rd.
Accommodation
— Unpowered sites: from $14.50 per night.
— Point Hicks Lighthouse cottages (sleeps 8-12): from $363.10 per night.
— Point Hicks Lighthouse bungalow (sleeps 2): from $142.30 per night.
Facilities:
Toilets.
Campfire.
Shared picnic tables.
Things to do:
Tour to Point Hicks Lighthouse.
Canoeing and paddleboarding.
Fishing.
Swimming.
Hiking/walking.
Things to note:
Gravel roads may not allow for towing vehicles.
BYO drinking water.
No Pets.
No rubbish disposal.
Bookings required.
DISCOVERY BAY COASTAL PARK
Access via The Blowholes Rd, Scenic Dve and the Portland-Nelson Rd.
Accommodation
— Lake Mombeong unpowered site: from $14.50 per night.
— Swan Lake unpowered site: from $14.50 per night.
Facilities:
Lake Mombeong/Lake Monibeong.
Campfire.
Toilets.
Picnic facilities.
Swan Lake.
Campfire.
Toilets.
Picnic facilities.
Things to do:
Explore Cape Nelson lighthouse.
See the Cape Bridgewater fur seal colony.
Sand dunes from Nelson to White Beaches.
Canoeing/kayaking/paddleboarding.
Swimming in Lake Monibeong/Lake Mombeong.
Hiking.
Sailing/boating.
Things to note:
Campfires allowed in fireplaces provided except Total Fire Ban days.
Seasonal water available but must be treated.
No Pets.
No rubbish disposal.
Bookings required.
A GUIDE TO ROYAL MELBOURNE SHOW
ITALIAN BRUNCH MASHUP WORTH TRYING
WYPERFELD NATIONAL PARK
Wonga Camping Area.
Access via sealed road on Main Entrance Rd after entering National Park from Yaapeet from Hopetoun or Rainbow.
Accommodation
— Wonga camping area unpowered sites: from $14.50 per night.
Arrival and departure times:
Arrival: 1pm. Departure: 12pm.
Facilities:
Barbecue.
Hot water.
Non-flush toilets.
Things to do:
Cycling.
4km Discovery Walk.
Trek to the Eastern Lookout.
13.5km return Outlet Creek walk.
8km Lake Brambruk walk.
Scenic drives.
Barbecue.
Outdoor activities.
Things to note:
No pets.
BYO drinking water.
Be well prepared.
More information: www.parkstay.vic.gov.au
Information correct from September 6, 2019.
Prices and availability relate to a accommodation for two adults and two children staying from Saturday 21 September to Sunday 6 October.
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