Camping in Victoria

ebgli · 04-12-2007, 11:32 AM

Hey guys, im looking to take the family on a short 2-3 day camping trip somewhere in victoria. (maybe within a 3 hour drive from melb/geelong?)

Id like a quiet spot, preferably with a river or creek (would like to throw a rod in!). We will be staying in a tent.
We dont NEED toilets and showers, but would probably like somewhere with at least a toilet.

Anyone recommend somewhere quiet that isnt a large commercial camping spot? Im looking to go after xmas and before New years.

Im hoping someone knows of a secret hide away !
cheers everyone!

GTP owner · 04-12-2007, 03:18 PM

We used to camp on the Gellibrand river on one of the bends far down a beaten track> Look it up on the map and go have a squiz.

Hybrid34 · 04-12-2007, 04:03 PM

Nagambie

, Its where i have a holiday house, waterskiing and so forth,
Its about 2hrs 20mins from Glen Waverley and is 120km out of melbourne, inbetween Seymour and Shepparton, its a small coutry town, very quiet, and there are a few good camping spots

or if you want that longer drive, Mildura has some fantastic camping spots very isolated but dead quiet and relaxing by the water...
Cheers
- Ash

galaxy xr8 · 04-12-2007, 04:08 PM

Don't come this way, you won't find water, lol. or anything that reseambles what was a lush green area.

AusM · 04-12-2007, 04:42 PM

Might find some good campgrounds here:
http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/1parks.cfm

I always like the high country over Summer - usually 5-10 degrees cooler than Melb. Plenty of spots along the Howqua River - Mansfield is about 2 hrs from Melb, then it's another 30-45mins with half that gravel road. Sheepyard Flat gets busy, but you can almost always find a quiet spot to yourself a km or so up the road.

Plenty of shade, good river (never had a problem drinking from it, great for liloing), free, open fires allowed, close to Fry's hut and other features of Man from Snowy River film. Hole-in-the-ground loos at SYF, but otherwise it's a walk in the bush. There's also some short walks around that should be family friendly. If you have an off-road 4WD, then there's a few more huts you can get to, and even make it a round trip via Bindaree Falls & Mt Stirling (Craig's Hut is gone-fires)... takes some warm gear, cool gear, flyspray, sunscreen, bowsaw is handy and of course, marshmallows!

jcxr · 04-12-2007, 04:47 PM

Head up towards Bright, follow the Buckland Valley, some great spots, total wilderness, good fishing, gods country.

nugget378 · 04-12-2007, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcxr

Head up towards Bright, follow the Buckland Valley, some great spots, total wilderness, good fishing, gods country.

Great spot, I found a great spot near Mt Beauty few years ago,
definately 4wd only territory if you want to really get away from everything,and theres more to catch than just fish up that way ;)

rodderz · 04-12-2007, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PFdesign

Might find some good campgrounds here:
http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/1parks.cfm

I always like the high country over Summer - usually 5-10 degrees cooler than Melb. Plenty of spots along the Howqua River - Mansfield is about 2 hrs from Melb, then it's another 30-45mins with half that gravel road. Sheepyard Flat gets busy, but you can almost always find a quiet spot to yourself a km or so up the road.

Plenty of shade, good river (never had a problem drinking from it, great for liloing), free, open fires allowed, close to Fry's hut and other features of Man from Snowy River film. Hole-in-the-ground loos at SYF, but otherwise it's a walk in the bush. There's also some short walks around that should be family friendly. If you have an off-road 4WD, then there's a few more huts you can get to, and even make it a round trip via Bindaree Falls & Mt Stirling (Craig's Hut is gone-fires)... takes some warm gear, cool gear, flyspray, sunscreen, bowsaw is handy and of course, marshmallows!

I can thoroughly recommend this area too, me and the missus were up at Sheepyards a few weeks ago for a break, the river was running strong, few trout about and plenty of dead wood around for the campfire.

Gets chilly at night though, stock up on wood and scotch to warm up...easy to get to about 40 min drive past Mansfield

XW 393 · 04-12-2007, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rodderz

I can thoroughly recommend this area too, me and the missus were up at Sheepyards a few weeks ago for a break, the river was running strong, few trout about and plenty of dead wood around for the campfire.

Gets chilly at night though, stock up on wood and scotch to warm up...easy to get to about 40 min drive past Mansfield

Bang on, Sheepyards is a great spot. You wont be sorry you went there !

Trevor 57 · 08-12-2007, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rodderz

I can thoroughly recommend this area too, me and the missus were up at Sheepyards a few weeks ago for a break, the river was running strong, few trout about and plenty of dead wood around for the campfire.

Gets chilly at night though, stock up on wood and scotch to warm up...easy to get to about 40 min drive past Mansfield

I cannot believe how popular this place is. Far too busy for me, but might suit some.

thexyking · 08-12-2007, 07:25 AM

Stevensons Falls in the Otways, turn off just after Forrest. A nice camp ground with toilets, easy bush walk to the falls, good family environment. Will be busy in January, though.

rodderz · 08-12-2007, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big_Trev

I cannot believe how popular this place is. Far too busy for me, but might suit some.

The main camground is always busy, you can drive another few km's either over the hill or up towards the old gold mine at Tunnel Bend and there are much better spots, with campfire spots already done, nice private stretch of river and some spots even have dunnies...you have to be quick though

I wouldnt even think of going on a holiday weekend though, go on a normal weekend when crowds are down.

You have to watch the dirt road into the area from the Mansfield-Mt Buller Rd though, it can be dangerous with cars going both ways

ILLaViTaR · 04-12-2007, 05:17 PM

Yeah Bright is amazing.

TAGS · 04-12-2007, 07:24 PM

SYF/7-mile camp-ground is a great area, used to ride moto's around that area, not sure how busy it gets around this time of year but easter used to get a bit unbearable for a quiet weekend away(with bikes).

Mark

[Tonko] · 04-12-2007, 09:13 PM

Yalupna island, toolamba, strathie ranges, or if you want the real bush experience, Rushworth.

JayD · 04-12-2007, 09:45 PM

If ya wanna short drive, ya could try O'briens crossing, on O'briens road just off the Greendale-Blackwood road, about 10Ks from Blackwood. The river is running at the moment, there are toilets there. Can get busy that time of year though...On the other hand, if you have a fourby, theres some great spots in the nearby valleys. A good spot is about 2ks down Amblers track, across the river. Its under an hour from Melbourne or Geelong. Don't forget the dirt bikes either...some good ridin to be had!!

mik · 07-12-2007, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayD

If ya wanna short drive, ya could try O'briens crossing, on O'briens road just off the Greendale-Blackwood road, about 10Ks from Blackwood. The river is running at the moment, there are toilets there. Can get busy that time of year though...On the other hand, if you have a fourby, theres some great spots in the nearby valleys. A good spot is about 2ks down Amblers track, across the river. Its under an hour from Melbourne or Geelong. Don't forget the dirt bikes either...some good ridin to be had!!

hey Jayd have you been down the tunnel track?

AU2PWR · 04-12-2007, 11:21 PM

Dont go to Licola .. The Other week when it flooded out , Kev_Blown_XR8_ute , Justin@G&D , Jake and Myself got Stuck in there 1 hour before the Bridge went .. We did a Few River Crossings , had the AU Under Water over the Bonnet .. nearly got washed Away ..

Was an Awesome spot to camp , but you have to know the Weather @!

gthofan · 05-12-2007, 05:50 AM

Id have to agree with the others, Sheepyard flat for sure! Awesome scenery beaut river, Here are some pics of my trip a few months ago.

Also if sheepyard flat is packed, try head up the road a little further to Pickerings flat. Its always a good backup spot, and there is also a cattlemans hut to see.

cheers
scott

T-BOOST · 05-12-2007, 07:34 AM

We go to Noogee (not sure of the spelling) it only has a small stream from the torongo/amphitheatre waterfalls. It's a very small location not far past Pakenham, but very nice.
the walk around the differant waterfalls is about 2km.

There's Just a long drop near the camping ground or there's toilets at the start of the waterfall walking track. 5min walk from camp site.

here are some pics from the walking track of the waterfalls

and the camp site

Hybrid34 · 05-12-2007, 02:00 PM

nice turbo mate

! i like ur rims as well

conordec · 05-12-2007, 08:42 PM

yeah, mildura area is great, but you really have to know where to go, fishing wise, it's pretty hard to catch anything if you don't know where to go....

BUT, in saying that we pulled 8 murray cod, 4 perch and 2 bream in about 3 hours of fishing in our secret spot on the last visit.

Be very careful about licensing if fishing up there, and also legal limits of fish and especially size. You will be buggered if you break the rules.

The good thing i found last time was that there seems to be no carp around, and the cod seemed to be flourishing.

ps... all fish caught on hooks with rods, no netting / springers etc. used bardies/worms/shrimp.

gotta love camping up there.

heres my young fella, landing one on the bank.

the unlucky ones... little one passed away so we kept it.

Hybrid34 · 06-12-2007, 09:41 AM

[QUOTE=conordec]

QUOTE]

That Fish Is under LIMMIT! haha,
Yeah Mildura is a great spot (fair drive from melb, but its worth it!, parents have a house boat up there n its great fun)

Glad we could all help!, thats what these forums are for!
Let us know where you went n how it went

- ash

ebgli · 06-12-2007, 08:58 AM

Guys, you have exceeded yourself. Thanks so much for the replies.
Going to research the places you listed. Ill let you know how it all goes!

Very appreciated!

cowboy · 06-12-2007, 06:16 PM

Hard to overlook the river near Echuca, only a bit over 2 hours from melbourne. Head out of town a bit to escape the ski boats and it's magic.

galaxy xr8 · 07-12-2007, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowboy

Hard to overlook the river near Echuca, only a bit over 2 hours from melbourne. Head out of town a bit to escape the ski boats and it's magic.

That part of the Murray is not a former pic off what it used to be like, when was the last time you were there, because to find a nice spot on the river these days you have to travell a long, long way north off Echuca, unless you like to fall off step banks because that is what they are like as there is no water in the river anymore, but your right you have to avoid the boats and the idoits behind them.

Pursuit250 · 07-12-2007, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by galaxy xr8

That part of the Murray is not a former pic off what it used to be like, when was the last time you were there, because to find a nice spot on the river these days you have to travell a long, long way north off Echuca, unless you like to fall off step banks because that is what they are like as there is no water in the river anymore, but your right you have to avoid the boats and the idoits behind them.

Echuca is kaos during any holiday period. Actually the tourist population has well and truly outgrown the town which is a bit of a shame because it used to be a nice place to visit.

Cohuna on the other hand is only 45 minutes down the Murray Valley Highway and there are plenty of quiet spots on the River, and definitely no boats (well a few tinnies). I'd even check out the Cohuna Caravan Park, which is right on the Gunbower Creek and also has plenty of fishing and swimming spots.

GORDZ · 06-12-2007, 06:22 PM

agree with cowboy... can get you gps co-ords if you want

Pursuit250 · 06-12-2007, 06:29 PM

Gunbower State Forest outside Cohuna. Head out the bush and take you pick of locations on the Murray River. River is only about 8 kms from Cohuna so supplies are not far away. Plenty of fishing to be done and if you find a spot with a sand bar the kids can go in for a dip.

cowboy · 07-12-2007, 06:28 PM

Actually not bad advice there, Cohuna/Gunbower is nice. Moved out of Echuca 3 years ago and was getting a bit crazy even then during summer. Pity, in my opinion probably the prettiest bit of the murray. Corowa still pretty quiet too.