7 Of The Best Campsites And Holiday Parks Near Melbourne

With a range of free camping opportunities and a plentiful supply of resort-style holiday parks, Melbourne is a great place for a motorhome holiday!

You’ll absolutely want to spend some time exploring Victoria’s loud and proud capital city, but what if you want to go camping as well? Melbourne is the perfect home base for weekend getaways and big adventures across the state, and there are plenty of holiday parks and campgrounds in the area.

The best thing about having a motorhome hire in Melbourne is the ability to free camp, with a shower and toilet onboard! Whilst camping at holiday parks, always secure a powered site for yourself to recharge your motorhome’s batteries. Also, please drive on sealed roads unless you’re travelling no more than 12km to a recognised caravan park.

Whether you’re travelling along the Great Ocean Road, seeking luxury, or simply looking for a wilderness escape, we’ve put together a list of some of the best holiday parks and campgrounds near Melbourne!

Healesville Sanctuary, Visit Victoria

The Gums Camping Area, Kinglake National Park

Rating: 4.5 Stars (Google reviews)

Cost: From $14 (check website for accurate pricing)

Distance From Melbourne: Approx 1.5hrs

Types Of Camping: Unpowered

Hidden amongst an iconic eucalypt forest, the Gums Camping Area is a great destination if you’re looking for cheap camping near Melbourne. It’s also a chance to have an authentic camping experience with like-minded travellers.

There are 18 camping spots, but only five are suitable for a campervan, so you’ll want to book ahead!

Things To Do:

• Cicada Circuit
• Island Creek picnic area
• Mason Falls
• Wombelano Falls
• Hiking
• Healesville Sanctuary

Facilities:

• Toilet facilities
• BBQ
• Picnic tables
• Firepits

Tidal River Campground, Visit Victoria

Tidal River Campground, Wilsons Promontory National Park

Rating: 4.6 Stars (Google reviews)

Cost: From $30 (check website for accurate pricing)

Distance From Melbourne: Approx 3hrs

Types Of Camping: Powered & unpowered sites, cabins, huts,

Tidal River Campground is perfect if you’re looking for one of the more budget-friendly campgrounds in Victoria. The grounds are scenic, beginner friendly, and offer some creature comforts – like a laundry facility and on-site kiosk. This is also the perfect base to explore Wilsons Prom!

Note: There’s no service station here, so make sure you fuel up beforehand.

Things To Do:

• Mt Oberon lookout
• Norman Beach
• Wilsons Promontory
• Telegraph Saddle

Facilities:

• Toilet/shower facilities
• Laundry facility
• BBQ
• Picnic tables
• Visitor centre
• General Store

Cumberland Walk, Visit Victoria

Cumberland River Holiday Park, Lorne

Rating: 4.1 Stars (Google reviews)

Cost: From $35 (check website for accurate pricing)

Distance From Melbourne: Approx 2hrs

Types Of Camping: Powered & unpowered sites, cabins

Cumberland River Holiday Park is a stunning holiday park in Melbourne and a convenient place to camp if you’re travelling on the Great Ocean Road! With the natural wonder of the Cumberland River, craggy cliffs, and plentiful walking tracks, this area is popular for both camping and weddings.

Note: There’s minimal phone service here, so you’ll be almost entirely disconnected - which can be a benefit if you’re looking to unplug!

Things To Do:

• Great Ocean Road
• Hiking
• Airey’s Inlet
• Erskine Falls
• Lorne
• Cumberland Falls
• Apollo Bay
• Kalimna Falls

Facilities:

• Toilet/shower facilities
• Laundry facilities
• Children’s playground
• BBQ area
• Firepits
• On-site kiosk

Lake Daylesford, Visit Victoria

Lalgambook (Mt Franklin) Camping Area, Hepburn Regional Park

Rating: 4.5 Stars (Google reviews)

Cost: Free

Distance From Melbourne: Approx 90 minutes

Types Of Camping: Unpowered campsites

The Lalgambook (Mt Franklin) Camping Area is completely free, and great for campervans and motorhomes! The area is located in the remnants of a volcanic crater, making this an incredibly scenic spot to go free camping in Melbourne.

You’ll want to have a backup plan, or a booking with the nearby Daylesford Holiday Park, since the sites fill up quickly here.

Things To Do:

• Crater hike
• Daylesford
• Hepburn
• Porcupine Ridge
• Basalt
• Shepherds Flat
• Franklinford
• Little Gallery
• Wine Tours
• Maze House
• Hepburn Bathhouse Mineral Springs

Facilities:

• Toilet facilities
• Picnic tables
• Firepits

Portsea, Visit Victoria

BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Queenscliff Beacon

Rating: 4.7 Stars (Google reviews)

Cost: From $70 (check website for accurate pricing)

Distance From Melbourne: Approx 90 minutes

Types Of Camping: Powered sites, luxury villas, apartments, cabins

BIG4’s Ingenia Holidays Queenscliff Beacon provides everything you’ll need for a comfortable and family-friendly camping experience! This multi-award-winning resort is a popular destination amongst travellers, and perfect if you’re seeking one of the most luxurious holiday parks in Melbourne.

Things To Do:      

• Point Lonsdale
• Searoad Ferries
• Queenscliff
• Great Ocean Road
• Ocean Grove Main Beach
• Portsea
• Port Phillip Heads Marine National Park
• Barwon Bluff Marine Sanctuary
• Point Nepean National Park
• Mornington Peninsula National Park

Facilities:

• Toilet/shower facilities
• Accessible facilities
• Camp kitchen
• On-site kiosk
• Laundry facilities
• Recreation room
• WiFi
• CoutaKidz Activity Program
• Giant jumping pillow
• Indoor/outdoor adventure playground
• Heated pool
• 24/7 Fitness studio
• Meerkat Manner
• Tennis court
• Day spa

Sovereign Hill, Visit Victoria

NRMA Ballarat Holiday Park

Rating: 4.5 Stars (Google reviews)

Cost: From $45 (check website for accurate pricing)   

Distance From Melbourne: Approx 90 minutes

Types Of Camping: Powered & unpowered sites, cabins, villas

Another family-friendly holiday park in Melbourne, NRMA Ballarat Holiday Park is kitted out with a wide range of activities for kids and fun for all. You’ll be returning to the perfect place to relax at the end of a busy day. It’s also conveniently close to Sovereign Hill and you’ll be sure to find plenty of things to do in Ballarat!

Things To Do:

• Goldfields
• Ballarat
• Ballarat Wildlife Park
• Arch of Victory
• Art Gallery of Ballarat
• Sovereign Hill
• Ballarat Bird World
• Ballarat Botanical Gardens
• Ballarat Municipal Observatory and Museum
• Kryal Castle
• Dunnstown
• Lake Wendouree Precinct

Facilities:

• Toilet/shower facilities
• Accessible facilities
• Laundry facilities
• BBQ
• Picnic area
• Camp kitchen
• Adventure playland
• Tiny tots indoor playland
• Games room
• Giant checkerboard
• Indoor heated pool
• Basketball/tennis court
• Sensory room
• Recreation rooms
• Internet kiosk

Are You Ready For Your Camping Trip In Melbourne?

We’ve covered a wide range of budget-friendly campgrounds, as well as some of the more luxurious resort-style holiday parks in Victoria, so now it’s up to you to decide what type of van life suits you best!

There aren’t any free campgrounds in Melbourne itself, but if you hunt around or ask a local they’ll be sure to point you in the right direction. As always, when you’re in Australia you can’t simply camp anywhere, so make sure you find a designated campground or rest area to avoid a hefty fine.

Need some inspiration for your road trip adventures? Check out our guide to some of Victoria’s most underrated destinations!

It’s time to set out across Victoria with a motorhome hire! Call our friendly reservations team on 1300 664 485 to organise your rental, or check out our website to see the motorhomes we have available at our Melbourne branch.