Caravan Parks Melbourne

Updated on March 14, 2023

Camping Near Melbourne

Caravan parks and campgrounds reasonably close to the Melbourne city centre and with good public transport access are available.

The best campgrounds near Melbourne all offer self-contained cabins plus caravan and camping sites and are ideal for all travellers as well as being family-friendly holiday parks. Our favourite camping ground is the best bush camping near Melbourne. Read more below.

Which Melbourne Caravan Parks are the best?

1. Crystal Brook Tourist Park is our top pick and favourite camping spot near Melbourne, we have enjoyed staying in this campground a few times. It is a 35-minute drive into Melbourne or 1 hour on public transport which is close by. For travellers heading to Tasmania on the Spirit of Tasmania, it is a 50-minute drive to Port Melbourne. The park has a secluded atmosphere with bushwalking trails where you often see kangaroos leading from the campground, a heated pool and jumping pillow for kids, well-equipped camp kitchen, some drive-through caravan sites and is run by super friendly people. It is also pet-friendly and even has a fenced-in dog agility course and off-leash area. A small shopping area is a 5-minute drive away and it is and an easy drive into the famous Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges. Get Directions to Crystal Brook Holiday Park.
2. Melbourne Big 4 Coburg Holiday Park: 265 Elizabeth Street, Coburg. A 30-minute drive into the city. | 50-minutes to the city on public transport. 35-minute drive to Spirit of Tasmania. Like most Big 4 Camping parks, this one has plenty of activities to keep kids happy as well as a well-equipped camp kitchen and self-contained cabins.
3. Discovery Parks Big 4: 129 Ashley Street, Braybrook, Melbourne. 25-minute drive to the city | 40-minutes on public transport to the city. 25-minute drive to the Spirit of Tasmania. This is a popular caravan park amongst travellers, a handy location, well-maintained and with all the facilities needed for a relaxing stay.

Caravan Park Near Spirit of Tasmania, Melbourne

Tasmania is a popular destination, the drive to the ferry terminal can seem daunting, especially if you are leaving on the day sailing and need to be there early. All the Melbourne camping grounds and caravan parks listed are easy enough to use as an overnight base before going to Tassie.

Free Camping Melbourne

Free camping near Melbourne is not impossible to do, though there is nowhere close to the city centre unless you are parking on a side street, which is illegal.

The nearest free overnight camp is near the petrol station at Little River on the highway between Melbourne and Geelong. Travelers often stay there overnight after disembarking from the Spirit of Tasmania as it is less than 1 hour’s drive and on the way to the Great Ocean Road.

The free camp area is listed on the WikiCamps App, it is very basic, no showers but campers can use the toilets at the petrol station. It is right by the highway and so can be noisy all night. As an overnight stop, it is ok.

5 Free Campsites near Melbourne

1. Rubicon Valley – North East of Melbourne off the Maroondah Highway. Get directions.
2. Meredith Park, Lake Colac. About 12 km from the town of Colac in Western Victoria, the lakeside camping area is really popular. Get directions.
3. Andersons Garden, Mount Disappointment. Popular with trail bike riders and hikers. Get directions.
4. Kurth Kiln, Gembrook. On the eastern edge of the Dandenong Ranges, this bush area is popular with horse riders as well as mountain bike riding and hiking. A few yards are available for keeping horses in, first come basis. Get directions.
5. Mount Franklin Reserve, Daylesford. Free camping not far from the famous Hepburn Springs. Get directions.

Camping within 2 hours of Melbourne

The Great Ocean Road is the most popular destination in Victoria and is the 12 Apostles are the most visited attraction in Australia. It is a 90-minute drive from Melbourne to the beginning of the Ocean Road.

Read about some of the best Great Ocean Road caravan parks as well as suggested itineraries and self-drive route planning guides.

We have been out exploring the best of the free and low-cost camping grounds within 2 hours of Melbourne and have stayed in some amazing sites. Find out more about these camp grounds here…

5 Caravan & Camping Sites near Melbourne – Resort Style

1. Healesville – Home of the Healesville Native Animal Sanctuary, Yarra Valley wine region and wonderful bushwalking trails. Get directions.
2. Mornington Peninsula – Located near Frankston, this park has plenty to offer and is an easy drive to the beautiful Mornington Peninsula where you can relax at the hot springs, swim, surf or just relax… Get directions.
3. Philip Island – Best known for the Little Penguin Parade… the island has a lot to offer. Get directions.
4. Marysville – Over the Black Spur drive to the little mountain village of Marysville. Waterfalls and bushwalks… Get directions.
5. Daylesford – Jubilee Lake Campground or try Glamping! Famous for mineral springs and weekend getaways from Melbourne. Get directions.

Best Camping Victoria?

Where is the best camping spot in Victoria? This depends on what travellers are looking for.

• Do you want to camp beside a river?
• Find the best beach camping?
• Only look for free camping in Victoria?
• Camp in the mountains?
• Find an isolated camping site or be near towns and facilities?
• Do you need a pet-friendly campground where your dog is welcomed?

Using the Wiki Camps App to find Camping Spots

The Wiki Camps app, downloaded on Android or Apple, is the most popular way to seek a campsite or caravan park in Australia.

The search fields can be narrowed down to filter exactly what you are looking for whether it is a free camp or paid. Low-cost or with facilities to make the stay perfect for families to keep kids entertained for hours.

You can also search for sites close by to wherever you are, dump points and even backpacker hostels… and so much more.

There is a small charge to own this app, but it is well worth it and one of our top App recommendations to have when travelling or just looking for a quick weekend getaway.