Free camping in Victoria: these 5 sites are crazy good

We shine a spotlight on five of the best spots for free camping in Victoria.

You’ve spent your money on your rig and camping setup, and now your wallet feels pretty light. I totally get it. The good news is that we live in a lucky country where 4WD tracks are plentiful, and the free camping sites are crazy good…if you know where to find them. Fortunately, we do.

You already know that Australia is big, so for the sake of a quick read, I’ve zoomed in to Victoria to shine a spotlight on five of the best free camping spots. Stay tuned for the other states.

The best free camping in Victoria

#1 – Blue Pool free camping, East Gippsland

Swim in a sparkling deep water hole along Freestone Creek near the free camping ground at Blue Pool in the Briagolong State Forest, Victoria. Blue Pool is one of nine camping areas within the Freestone Creek Camping Precinct but this one is tops due to the fact that it’s only a short walk from the Blue Pool (a large natural swimming hole). Twelve campsites are up for grabs and each has its own fire pit and picnic table.

There are a few great hikes here. Try the 2.5km Fern Gully Loop or the 6.5km Freestone Creek walking track. What’s not so great is that this popular free camping site in Victoria is walk-in only. This means you can’t make good use of your camper trailer and will need to hump your tent or swag in.

Facilities: Toilets, picnic tables

How to get there: From Briagolong, follow Freestone Creek Road approximately 10km to the Blue Pool Campground carpark.

#2 – Aberfeldy River free camping, Baw Baw National Park

Free camping in Victoria beside a river? Yes, please! Camp riverside in the Baw Baw National Park along the Aberfeldy River. This is a top spot to base yourself for the 4X4 action in the area. The tranquil riverside location is superb for fishing, swimming, spotting wildlife and relaxing.

Although there are pit toilets here, you must be self-sufficient with everything else, including water and rubbish removal.

Facilities: Pit toilets, picnic tables.

How to get there: From Walhalla, drive along the unsealed Walhalla Road. However, there are plenty of off-road tracks in the area, so there’s more than one way into the general vicinity.

#3 – Ada River Campground, Errinundra National Park

The Ada River free campi ng area near Errinundra National Park, Victoria doesn’t usually see crowds, thus making it an awesome spot for a camping trip. Camp among old-growth temperate rainforest beside a trickling stream and enjoy nature at its best.

The campsites are shady and set alongside the Ada River, which is more like a creek here. However, it does run clear and on a hot day, surrounded by gums and ferns, there is no better spot.

Facilities: Drop toilets, picnic tables

How to get there: Located near the entrance to the Errinundra National Park, follow Errinundra Road around 85km northeast of Orbost, Victoria to reach this free camping ground.

#4 – Dandos Campground, Otways

Located near a bend of the Gellibrand River in the Otways, Dandos free camping in Victoria provides plenty of opportunities to swim or head out on a hike through the bush.

The campgrounds are well maintained, level and grassy, surrounded by a mixture of wet and dry sclerophyll forest. The best part? A walking track leads down to the Gellibrand River. However, if you can’t handle a leech or two, I don’t recommend it.

Facilities: Drop toilets, picnic tables, swing BBQs.

How to get there: From Colac, head south on the Colac-Lavers Hills Rd. When you hit Gellibrand, turn left onto the Gellibrand East road. This turns into Lardners Track partway along. When you reach Sayers Track, turn left onto that and after around 400m you’ll see signage to the free campgrounds.

#5 – Reeves Beach, South Gippsland

The Reeves B each free camping ground in Victoria offers five grassy sites with direct access to 90 Mile Beach. Given its crazy good location and zero cost, the sites fill up fast, particularly during the weekends and holiday season. Here, you can swim, fish and do all that awesome stuff that goes hand in hand with a seaside camping trip.

Facilities: Drop toilet. Although it’s best to bring your own toilet here as there is only one, and it’s known to be pretty gross at times.

How to get there: From Woodside, head east on Woodside Beach Rd. Turn south onto Balloong Rd when you reach it and then east onto Reeves Beach Rd, which is gravel.