Where to camp near Lake Eildon, the Murray River, Bendigo
Whether you’re going bush near Bendigo, fishing at Lake Eildon or staying on the banks of the Murray River, there’s plenty to see and do when camping in Victoria’s north. Here’s how to make the most of your trip.
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There’s a camping experience for all levels in northern Victoria – from lakeside, riverside to the bush.
Canoe, swim and fish at Lake Eildon or the Murray River, while Kooyoora State Park near Bendigo offers a more rustic style of bush camping.
Parks Victoria Northern Victoria Regional Director Dan McLaughlin shares his tips and tricks on how to get the most out of each region, and some advice to follow in the warmer months.
HIGH COUNTRY
Lakeside Camping area via Lakeside Rd, Candlebark Camping Area and Devils Cove Campground via Fraser Park Rd.
FRASER CAMPING AREA
Level: Mid-level
Closest town: 17km: Alexandra, 10km: Eildon
Drawcard: Lake Eildon is the main attraction, with boating, fishing, swimming and water skiing popular in the area. There are three main campsites in the Fraser Camping Area – Lakeside, Devils Cove and Candlebark.
Phone reception: Good
Facilities: Flushing toilets, hot showers, free gas BBQs, excellent concrete boat ramps, unpowered sites.
When to visit: Summer is the most popular period and you’ll need to book campsites in advance.
Things to do: Great walking tracks that’ll take you over the peaks and lookouts of the lake. Marlows Lookout is a short hike that’s 5km.
Advice: Can be hot in summer, so make sure you take enough drinking water with you. Drinking water is also available at the Fraser Camping Area and water tanks are located at each of the three camp sites near the shower and amenities block.
Via Wangandary and Yarrawonga Roads.
WENHAMS CAMPING AREA
Level: Basic
Closest town: Wangaratta: 10km
Drawcard: This is forest camping at its finest. Birdwatching is big and a hike to the Mount Warby lookout will give you spectacular vies of the Victorian Alps. It’s only a one hour drive to Bright and Mount Buffalo.
Phone reception: Good
Facilities: Vaulted toilets, no showers, BYO drinking water, unpowered sites.
When to visit: Spring is the best time to visit, as the wildflowers are out.
Things to do: Campers have access to Ovens River for swimming, canoeing and fishing. Murray cod and Trout Cod are often caught in the area.
Advice: There’s no booking system in place, so camp sites are acquired on a first in, best dressed basis. Make sure you bring a map when hiking as some tracks can be disorienting.
Continue past Buxton for 9.5km and turn right into Cathedral Lane to find the park entrance 2.5km on your right.
FARMYARD CAMPING AREA, COOKS MILL CAMPING AREA
Level: Basic
Closest town: Taggerty: 15km, Buxton: 14.3km.
Drawcard: Suited to adventurous families who love bushwalking and extended walks. Rock climbing and fishing are also popular.
Phone reception: Limited.
Facilities: No showers, BYO drinking, cooking and showering water, vaulted toilets.
When to visit: On the shoulder seasons, like autumn and spring.
Things to do: Walking tracks range from a couple of kilometres to 10-12km and have spectacular views like the Razorback Ruidge and Jawbone Creek Track.
Advice: Roads within the park are not suitable for coaches beyond Little River Bridge. Make sure you’re well prepared for extended walks in the region. Some tracks are very challenging, steep and disorienting, so make sure you have an up to date map.
Advance bookings and payment for camping are required year round for Cooks Mill, while there’s no fee to stay at Farmyard.
MURRAY RIVER
Access to the 12 major entrance gates are available from the Moira Lakes Road, Barmah-Picola Road, and the Murray Valley Highway.
BARMAH LAKES CAMPGROUND
Level: Basic
Closest town: Echuca: 40km
Drawcard: The Barmah Lakes Campground allows close access to Murray River and Barmah Lake, which is great for canoeing and swimming. The park is joint-managed by the Yorta Yorta people. The campsite is very family friendly.
Phone reception: Good near the lake, limited for the rest of the park.
Facilities: Vaulted toilets, BYO drinking and showering water, unpowered sites, suitable for tents, camper vans and caravans.
When to visit: January is a popular time of year, as well busy holiday periods like Easter, Christmas and over the New Year. There’s no booking system, so campers should get in early to snare a campsite.
Things to do: Staying at Barmah Lakes gives families the ultimate bush camping experience.
Advice: Summers can be quite hot, so make sure you’re well prepared with drinking water and sunscreen. Mosquitos are also a problem during the warmer months. Inland waters are quite dangerous, and there’s some steep drops in the Murray River.
– Hattah Kulkyne National Park
NORTH CENTRAL
Access by Melville Caves Rd or Black Rd, via Wehla-Kingower Rd
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MELVILLE CAVES CAMPGROUND
Level: Basic
Closest town: Bendigo: 63km, Wedderburn: 28km
Drawcard: McLaughlin said Kooyoora State Park was a hidden gem, with not many people travelling to the campsite. The Melville Caves, walking tracks, nature sightings, rich cultural heritage, (the park lies on Dja Dja Wurrung Country) and close access to larger towns makes it desirable.
Phone reception: Good.
Facilities:
When to visit: Summer usually remains cooler due to the sheltered nature of the park.
Things to do: The Melville Caves is great to explore, plus there are a number of walks to take throughout the park, with some winding through rock crevasses and rocky terrain.
Advice: Some walking tracks and lookouts have steep edges, particularly tracks that weave through rocks. McLaughlin warns campers to take their own drinking water. The carpark allows easy towing-access for campervans and caravans.
While the shaded park makes the weather quite cool, it can also be hot in north-facing camping areas during the warmer months.