Choose from riverside campsites, sandy spots by the sea or forest hideaways when you want to pitch your tent
Sometimes, the best way to deal with city life is to get away from it. Luckily for us Melburnians, we don’t have to venture too far to swap jam-packed calendars for crackling campfires or traffic snarls for a sky full of stars. There are heaps of beautiful camping spots within an hour or two of the CBD, making it super easy to enjoy the great outdoors.
Whether you’re after a peaceful riverside camp, a sandy spot by the sea or a forest hideaway, Victoria has got you covered. Once you’ve managed to pitch your tent – it helps to have the right camping gear – the only sounds you’ll hear are songs around a campfire at night and the wake up call of a very persistent kookaburra at daybreak. Remember, campgrounds are a shared experience, so be respectful, leave no trace and check the latest travel and park advice from Parks Victoria before you hit the road.
When a caravan park offers itself as a location for wedding photos, you know it must have something going for it scenically. No fake sunset backdrops here, but the real thing: a stunning natural setting near the mouth of the Cumberland River. Craggy cliffs tower over the campground, which is backed by great walking tracks and fronted by the Great Ocean Road. Book well ahead for a prime riverfront site.
Best for: Lush, grassy sites right next to the ocean
Distance from Melbourne: Two hours
Surf’s up, guaranteed. Johanna Beach is a backup location for the Rip Curl Pro surfing comp in case Bells Beach is dead flat. As the tournament’s website says: "If there is any swell in the Southern Ocean, Johanna will pick it up. If the sandbanks are in great shape, you can get some of the best beach break waves in the world out there." The campground has 25 unpowered campsites for tents, trailers and caravans that are bookable via the website.
Best for: Experienced surfers
Distance from Melbourne: Three hours
It’s the southermost national park with a campground in the state with up to 484 camping and caravan sites available. So where are they all? The expansive beach and the extensive network of hiking trails absorb the crowds and still leave space for privately contemplating the reflections in Tidal River at dusk. Catch a movie at the outdoor cinema or watch the 'live show' in the campground of wombats, wallabies and echidnas doing their thing.
Best for: Hiking enthusiasts
Distance from Melbourne: Four hours
One of the whitest beaches on the Great Ocean Road is right here at Marengo Holiday Park and you don’t even need to cross the street to get to the water. Enrol in surf school, practise yoga on the beach or rent a sea kayak – the shops and services in Apollo Bay, a short walk/drive away, can sort everything you need.
Best for: Dog owners – your pooch is welcome all year round
Distance from Melbourne: Three hours
Get in quick: Lake Catani campground is open until the end of April, then it closes to car-based camping from May during the snow season. Autumn is a top time of year to visit the high country – Bright and Beechworth are ablaze with deciduous colour and the farm gates of the Milawa gourmet trail are in full production. The air is crisp for invigorating walks on the Mt Buffalo plateau, followed by a hot shower at the campground, where peaceful campsites are nestled among the snow gums.
Best for: A proper High Country experience
Distance from Melbourne: Four hours
Pitch a tent on the fringes of a once-bustling gold mining town at Blackwood Mineral Springs Caravan Park. Adjacent to the Wombat State Forest, amenities are abundant with a camp kitchen, coin-operated barbecues and communal campfires perfect for those who prefer a few creature comforts. Find the most serene sites along the Lerderderg River and head to the mineral springs to sip on some of the freshest water imaginable.
Best for: Riverside bliss
Distance from Melbourne: One and a half hours
Lerderderg State Park is a playground for adventure lovers, with hiking, mountain biking, boating and four-wheel driving just some of the activities on the menu. When you need a scenic spot to rest up, Lerderderg Campground is the ideal choice thanks to its spacious sites and clean toilets. You’re also welcome to bring your dog (on a leash) and make the most of the firepits. Best of all, no bookings or fees apply to walk-in bush camping.
Best for: Adventure lovers
Distance from Melbourne: One and a half hours
On the site of an old sawmill, there’s little chance of hearing the blades roar into action amid the lush surrounds of Cooks Mill Campground. Flanked by peppermint, blackwood and red stringybark gum trees deep in the Cathedral Range State Park, this now tranquil setting offers unmarked spots for tents and some areas for trailers and campervans. Take a trek to the nearby mountain peaks or roam the Friends Nature Walk along a long abandoned tramway.
Best for: Hiking
Distance from Melbourne: Two and a half hours
Enjoy an easy-to-reach bush escape at Clonbinane’s Number One Camp in Mount Disappointment – named so because colonial explorers Hume and Hovell couldn’t spot Port Phillip Bay through the dense foliage. You won’t have any such problems relishing this quiet landscape. With popular bike trails and hiking tracks spreading in all directions, consider tackling the Summit Walk or moseying to the stunning Strath Creek Falls.
Best for: Easy recreation
Distance from Melbourne: One and a half hours
Fancy a dip in the bay? Emerge from your tent or camper at the crack of dawn to discover what makes the Balnarring Beach Foreshore Reserve such a great camping spot. Featuring three campgrounds, creatively known as A, B and C Reserves, you’ll find powered and unpowered sites alongside toilet blocks, camp kitchens and even laundry facilities. Just know you’ll have to leave the dog at home, and fires are banned in the camping reserves.
Best for: Refreshing morning swims
Distance from Melbourne: One and a half hours
Boar Gully Campground is for those seeking silence. Located in the Brisbane Ranges beyond Melbourne’s western fringe, this placid little spot offers six tent sites and an additional site for caravans. Perfect for a weekend escape, the campground also serves as the start or finish line for the 3-day Burchell Trail if you’re feeling adventurous. For a particularly scenic visit, head there in spring to catch blooming wildflowers and orchids.
Best for: Peaceful solitude
Distance from Melbourne: One and a half hours
Scenic is the operative word when it comes to camping at Murrindindi Scenic Reserve. With six designated campgrounds spread across 815 hectares, this picturesque environment combines waterfalls, forests and fern-covered gullies to create an enchanting experience. As for which site to choose, the SEC Campground on the far side of the river is perhaps the most beautiful of the bunch. However, you’ll have to lug your gear about 200 metres from the carpark over the old suspension bridge.
Best for: Enjoying diverse natural landscapes
Distance from Melbourne: Two hours
Looking for a pristine island escape? You might be shocked to learn a striking spot is easily within reach of Melbourne. Accessible via a quick ferry ride from Stoney Point, French Island’s Fairhaven Campsite is a scenic hideaway primed for soaking up bayside sunsets and blissful isolation. Plus, it has some of the best facilities you’ll likely find at a free campsite, with covered picnic areas, toilets and barbecues. Bring a bike to explore the island on two wheels.
Best for: Island getaways without going too far
Distance from Melbourne: Two hours
Enjoy a slice of serenity at the Latrobe River Camping Area. Surrounded by narrow-leaved peppermint and soaring mountain ash trees, the sound of the nearby river provides a relaxing wake-up call. Then, it’s time to lace up your hiking boots and trek to fascinating landmarks like the Ada Tree – one of Victoria’s oldest and largest trees – and the Seven Acre Rock Lookout. There are only eight campsites, so have a backup plan if arriving during peak season.
Best for: Enjoying the sounds of nature
Distance from Melbourne: Two hours
Set in a natural valley alongside the Howqua River, Sheepyard Flat is a popular camping spot for High Country adventures. Dog-friendly and decked out with convenient facilities, you’ll have easy access to numerous bushwalking tracks, hilltop huts with panoramic views and much-loved fishing spots perfect for casting a line. This sprawling site has plenty of shade for summertime visits, but be mindful of falling tree limbs.
Best for: Crystal-clear waters
Distance from Melbourne: Three hours
Nestled into a narrow basalt gorge on Freestone Creek, Blue Pool offers an idyllic camping ground ideal for sweltering summer days. Enveloped by native forest and a rocky pebble beach, the transparent water makes for a refreshing escape when temperatures rise. Meanwhile, each of the 12 campsites has its own fire pit and picnic table. It gets busy over long weekends, so pick a quieter time if you’re keen on maximum hush.
Best for: Picture-perfect swimming
Distance from Melbourne: Three hours
Make camp along the coastline with an overnight trip to Bear Gully. Situated amid the rugged beauty of Cape Liptrap Coastal Park, this large shaded campsite is tough to beat when seeking unbeatable proximity to the shoreline. At night, it’s stargazing galore against a soundtrack of crashing waves. Plus, you might encounter friendly wildlife like wombats and echidnas rummaging through the bush. Camping fees apply and bookings are required.
Best for: Wildlife encounters
Distance from Melbourne: Three hours
Does your dad consider himself a bit of a foodie? Impress him by booking one of Melbourne's hottest restaurants for lunch or dinner. From culinary institutions like Flower Drum and France-Soir to emerging standouts and instant icons such as Serai, Gimlet and Kafeneion, you can't go wrong with any of these options.
When you think about it, what's not to love about mini golf? It's easy for everyone to play (hello, wholesome family outing), and honestly, mini versions of bigger things are always a fun time. Plus, what dad doesn't love flexing his golf skills? Many of these venues also feature well-stocked bars, so the festivities don't stop once you've played through your round.
Dust off dad's hiking boots, pack that scroggin, fill your Camelbak and get ready to explore some of the most gorgeous hikes within an easy drive of Melbourne. Because fresh air + the great outdoors + quality conversations = a very special Father's Day.
Does your dad know his Monet from his Manet? If that's a yes, take him to an art exhibition this Father's Day. The NGV Winter Masterpieces exhibition is a chance to marvel at dazzling examples of French Impressionism, or for the dad who's a history buff, head to Melbourne Museum to discover a rare collection of artefacts from the Viking Age at 'Treasures of the Viking Age: The Galloway Hoard'.
From historic boozers to gastropubs, we believe that Melbourne boasts some of the finest pub culture in the world. And what better way to celebrate Father's Day than by cheersing your old man with a pint at a cosy watering hole – and maybe ordering a parma, too.
At BattleKart, you'll drive real electric karts around a real race track, but play with with augmented reality elements, like firing off virtual rockets at other racers or spraying virtual oil puddles to trip up your competitors. Yep, it's kinda like Mario Kart IRL – and we reckon your dad's gonna love it.
Let dad live out his captain fantasies by hiring a GoBoat and cruising down the mighty Yarra River. These five-metre-long boats seat up to eight people and no boating licence is required. The best part? They come equipped with a built-in wooden picnic table in the middle of the boat, so BYO snacks.
Turn Father's Day into a weekend-long affair by packing your swag and exploring this beautiful state of ours. Whether dad is keen on a scenic riverside, a prime beachfront location or an alpine hideaway, you're guaranteed to find the perfect spot to set up camp on this list.
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