The best campgrounds near Ballarat, Victoria with hiking

Australia
—
Victoria
—
Ballarat

97% (1380 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Ballarat

Camper favorites near Ballarat

Stories from the community

Weekend Trip to Book A Paddock

Another great camping trip on Belinda’s land. Beautiful site with flat grounds with tall trees surrounding the paddock blocking strong winds. Thanks Belinda for letting us stay again on your land. We had a wonderful stay.

Weekend Trip to Redbank156 camping / PITCHED cabins

Had the most amazing 2 nights camping at Redbank156! Despite the chilly winter conditions, we had an absolute blast! Crystal ensured our site was stocked up with firewood ready for our camp-fire! Our German shepherd had the best time having a huge amount of fenced in secure space so that he could run around exploring! Having access to the multi-purpose camp-fire kitchen was also really useful so that we could wash our dishes. The scenery was so tranquil despite only being less than an hour from hour, it was a beautiful much needed break and we will definitely be back! Would highly recommend this site for small or large groups and families-there is so many fun play spaces available for kids!!! Thanks again guys!!!

1 night at Little River Camp

Peaceful with great views with the mountain backdrop and the city glow of lights. It was beautiful

1 night at Book A Paddock

Great spot and really private. Would highly recommend

Weekend Trip to Mount Sugarloaf Retreat

Stunning part of Victoria. Peaceful farm camp site, lots of fire wood, great bush walks, happy dog & camper.

Weekend Trip to Book A Paddock

Second time camping here and would book it again soon. A massive and well kept site and its less than an hr drive from home.

Ange

2 weeks ago

Weekend Trip to Rustic Miner’s Cabin

We absolutely adored our stay at Paul’s miners cabin, would have happily stayed there indefinitely. It’s very charming and cute, we spend all weekend by the fire outside enjoying the bird sound and the stars, or inside in front of the fire with a wine. Would absolutely stay again in a heartbeat.

2 nights at Mount Sugarloaf Retreat

Excellent property for camping, heaps of wood for a big fire every day, great walks thru the bush. Interesting historic sites to explore. Dog friendly. Lots of bird life & kangas.

3 nights at Mount Sugarloaf Retreat

Lovely quiet camping spot with a water view. Rick was a generous host who supplied great firewood for our campfire. He also had great advice on local Wineries and attractions.

Weekend Trip to Lovely Bush Property

Peaceful bush setting, plenty of flat ground for tents. Ian popped by and chopped up some for us. Close to Talbot, nice little town with a pub 10 mins down the road.

Weekend Trip to Book A Paddock

Great spot to camp, some wood supplied for the fire pit and a cooking hot plate and tripod were great. It’s quiet and super private. Highly recommend.

Susan

June 2025

Weekend Trip to Lovely Bush Property

Beautiful quiet place with land to explore and heaps of room for kids to play.

Weekend Trip to Book A Paddock

Excellent site - went back for 2nd time. Cold and rainy for all 4 days this time, but this site was perfect for winter camping. Ground didn’t get soggy or muddy, and tall trees reduced the northerly wind quite well. Super helpful host!

Weekend Trip to Gooseberry Hill Dunolly

Very good site would recommend in a stay for sure

Weekend Trip to Mount Sugarloaf Retreat

Great farm site on the reservoir. Kids loved exploring and meeting the animals. Would visit Rick and Julie again 😊

Weekend Trip to Mount Sugarloaf Retreat

We had an amazing time at Sugarloaf Retreat, despite the rainy weather. The property itself is absolutely stunning – peaceful, beautifully maintained, and perfect for a relaxing getaway. Rick was incredibly welcoming and helpful throughout our stay, making sure we had everything we needed. The rain didn’t dampen our experience one bit – it actually made the retreat feel even more cozy and special. We’ll definitely be returning. Highly recommend!

Weekend Trip to Mount Sugarloaf Retreat

This is our third stay at Rick and Julie’s and another great weekend. It was as wet as wet gets which is great for the farm but with so much to do in the region it didn’t matter at all. Rick and Julie checked in on us to make sure all going well or if we needed more wood and to give us the tips on local roads and wineries. Look forward to visiting again.

Weekend Trip to Rustic Miner’s Cabin

Awesome place, very rustic. We were there on the coldest and rainiest days so it wa great sitting in front of fire relaxing!! Thank you Paul!!

Weekend Trip to Lerderderg Lookout

great campsite, had a fantastic time and strongly recommend this site to anyone looking for a place to camp.

7 nights at Brenda's Place

Easy access & setting up was a breeze. We loved watching the animals that came to visit, including Roos, red robin, wrens, magpies, and many other varieties of bird life. The view of the distant landscape was stunning, and we enjoyed the grazing sheep. We also appreciated the walking tracks next to the site that led into bush for exploration. The trees surrounding the campsite area were truly beautiful. It was such a delight to meet Brenda and her little pooch Nugget. Thank you for sharing your lovely property.

12 top campgrounds near Ballarat with hiking

100%

(194)

Mount Sugarloaf Retreat

4 sites · RVs, Tents500 acres · Avoca, VIC

Our property, called 'Number 1', has been family owned for 5 generations and operates as a working cattle breeding farm. It backs onto the beautiful Pyrennes Ranges, and is surrounded by state forest on all sides. On the northern boundary we border the pristine Mt Sugarloaf Reservoir stocked with Redfin and home to some beautiful wildlife. We are in close proximity to some well known wineries of the region such Summerfields, Mt Avoca and The Pyrenees. Enjoy a quick day out to any of these wineries and it will be a day filled with delightful food and superb wine. If you'd rather enjoy the great outdoors, Number 1 will provide endless amounts of entertainment and fun outdoor activities. Make sure to say hello to all the resident cattle, goats, and horses during your stay!

* Before taxes and fees

99%

(276)

Redbank156 camping / PITCHED cabins

11 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents200 acres · Metcalfe, VIC

Redbank farm has been home to five generations of Superfine Merino wool Farmers. The charming homestead is set on 1000 acres of rolling hills, lush trees, and dams that offer plentiful grazing to sheep and cattle. Metcalfe's rural landscape still remains largely untouched, giving a real country escape feeling, enjoy plenty of freedom and fresh air, filled with wildlife and scenic adventures to enjoy, like the stunning cascades just up the road or hill hike at sunset Redbank offers sites across 200 acres of camping land, SITE 1 MAINCAMP offers 4 large sites suited to campers wanting to be super close to toilet, shower, bbq hut , and playground. It's a major hit with the kids making it a popular spot for families. SITE 2 4 paddock sites that are still within walking distance to all facilities but are well spread out to provide guests with there own space. FURTHER OUT Even More privacy can be gained with our secluded sites that suit a self-sufficient campers , or keen for a hike short drive to facilities. #All sites on Redbank have access to one of our hot showers and flash toilet. #Fire pits at all sites #Camp kitchen that offers convenience of fridge freezer microwave kettle and hot water sink. #We are a no trace camp ground and ask you to take all waste with you when you leave. #Dogs are permitted in camps but must be kept on a leash to protect our livestock. Redbank is a working Farm and you will likely see or hear evidence of this during your stay, but we are very considerate of our campers and have had a wonderful experience sharing our land so far and had very happy campers. BEYOND REDBANK156 Campers will find many more attractions in the area, Great spots for hiking, swimming, fishing or just straight up relaxing in the serenity. TRUPENS waterfalls are close by CASCADES and the Coliban River runs through Metcalfe AND EPPOLOCK just up the road. A short drive of 10-15min in all directions will take you to one of the funky little historic towns Kyneton, Castlemaine, Redesdale, and Malmsbury, and another 15 mins on to Daylesford and Trentham all filled with brilliant restaurants, cafes, vineyards, vibrant retail and market scene. What more could you possibly need for a great getaway?

* Before taxes and fees

94%

(83)

Lerderderg Lookout

8 sites · Tents10 acres · Bacchus Marsh, VIC

Only 10 minutes away from the Western Freeway you'll find the Lerderderg Lookout hidden at the base of the Lerderderg State Park. The property was titled in the 1970's and played host to horses and cattle over the early years before being rehabilitated and now being covered in a mixture of grass pastures and native bush. The property continues to be a sanctuary to native wildlife and is maintained to an ongoing excellent standard. Walking and bike riding tracks are less than 5mins away as the property sits at the base of the Lerderderg State Park.

* Before taxes and fees

100%

(1)

Shedquarters Bush Escape

22 sites · Lodging, Tents10 acres · Mount Doran, VIC

Reconnect with nature at this unforgettable escape. With the edge of the Lal Lal State Forest just outside the gate, your nature experience awaits. Bushwalking, mountain bike riding, horse riding are all available throughout the kilometers of bushland tracks. Make memories and bring your horses for some amazing trail rides, walk the peaceful trails immersing in nature with the many birds and animals or maybe just relax by the fires and enjoy the local wildlife and surroundings. Just 1.5 hours from West Melbourne or 50 minutes from Geelong. **Available weekly Friday - Sunday stays.** Things to Do. Bushwalking. Horse Riding - Doran Park Trail Rides is 1 km away and provides arranged horse trail rides, must book in advance. Or bring your own horses to the Shedquarters, there's heaps of room for them to safely and comfortably stay (we are a horse property). Paddocks and a large yard, places to park the float and hay deliveries on request. A homemade grassed arena with jumps available. On the wet days an indoor arena is available to book 5kms away, advanced bookings required. Walk or Ride to - The Shepards Daughters Grave located in the Lal Lal Forest. www.goldfieldsguide.com.au/explore-location/539/grave-of-the-shepherds-daughter/ Lal Lal Falls is 10 kilometers away with BBQ picnic facilities. Hunts Bridge is a free camp area providing fire camp stations for a lovely picnic. The Village of Buninyong is 15kms away. The Farm Gate Shop in Elaine is 7 kms away providing all local produce, and a great place to stock up on the local Meredith Dairy Goats Cheese - in buckets! Local Wineries within driving distance, Clyde Park Winery, Buninyong Winery. Great area for Gold Prospecting. Great place for wood collection, bring the trailer for some hard work (check to see if the forest wood collection is available) Bungal Dam picnic area. Ballan market is held on the second Saturday of the month 9-1pm Ballarat is a 30 minute drive.

* Before taxes and fees

100%

(218)

Penzance Bushland Retreat

1 site · RV, Tent15 acres · Durham Lead, VIC

... Hi there and welcome to our home, Penzance! We fell in love with our slice of heaven in 2010 and adore every back breaking inch of it. It was an over grown mess at the time, covered in broken bricks and beer cans. We've tried to keep the bush aspect while creating a park like surround with plenty of grassy space. We have big plans for our land and hope to build a steam museum in our other area over the creek. Excitingly, we will also be establishing a blacksmiths forge in that area, which was moved piece by piece from an historic farm at Avoca. Chris is an engineer, antique restorer and artisan working from home. I am an actor and artist working in metal, clay and paint. I'm inspired by my flower garden and the bush that frames it. We offer one site so privacy is assured. Larger groups can be accommodated, please enquire if you'd like to learn more. We look forward to welcoming you to Penzance.

* Before taxes and fees

100%

(66)

Book A Paddock

2 sites · RVs, Tents33 acres · Romsey, VIC

We offer Book a Paddock and The Stables as listings for those wanting to camp or have a lux experience. Some of you have asked for parties and events. At this time we don't have the infrastructure in place to get this rolling. Thank you so so much for your support, your quiet and respectful enjoyment of our property. We are humbled you chose us to spend your heartbeats with. For now, Belinda and Robert ********************************************************************************* Exclusively yours, this acreage of privacy was historically a larger soldiers settlements property comprising a dairy, piggery and wool farming. The quality of the land hasn't changed with most of the region's farmland in use, so this is a cool piece of privacy in the Macedon Ranges. Currently home to our family, the property is also visited by many native Australian birdlife species, many marsupials including kangaroos, echidna, possums and even a koala. With close proximity to coffee shops and local stores of Romsey and Lancefield Providore, you have only a few minutes to drive to stock up on local produce. Walking the trials around Hanging Rock is a 10-minute drive and Mt Macedon lookout 15min. If you've come for the peace and tranquility - check out our extras to make your stay just that bit more homey. We look forward to saying hi soon!

* Before taxes and fees

99%

(154)

Kyneton Quiet Camp Out

5 sites · RVs, Tents7 acres · Kyneton, VIC

We welcome everyone who would like to get back to nature to relax whilst respecting the environment and all fellow hipcampers. We are family and dog friendly, with the space for multiple families to camp together on sites 1, 2 and 4. THIS PROPERTY IS NOT SUITABLE FOR NOISY AND/OR DRUNKEN PARTYING!!!! Come to Kyneton in the Macedon Ranges and stay close to iconic Hanging Rock. Take under an hour to drive up and explore bountiful Bendigo, nip across to experience delightful Daylesford and meander around the wonderful wineries of the Macedon Ranges. Take a week tasting the commuter belt community before you decide to move here permanently or perhaps take a few days to visit homes for sale. Pitch your completely self-sufficient sleeping quarters on our peaceful, flat, 7 acre property which backs onto the Bald Hill Nature Reserve and is less than five minutes drive from Kyneton’s historic Piper Street which is full of delightful restaurants and cafes. There is a local taxi service if guests would like to go out for lunch or dinner with wine and/or cocktails at some of the delicious Kyneton cafes, restaurants and bars: we love Little Swallow Cafe, Home Grown, Miss M's Lounge, Dhaba, The Kyneton Hotel, Fook Shing, Animas Distillery and Botanik Balcony at Royal George. Kangaroos often bounce through the property at dusk and dawn plus there is a beautiful dawn chorus of native birds. The Bald Hill Nature Reserve has many walking tracks and native flowers and there are plenty other outdoor activities in the local area. Campfires are allowed subject to local fire restrictions and must be fully extinguished before you turn in for the night. Please search for the CFA website 'Fire Danger Period: Can I or Can't I?' which has all of the appropriate information. A fire pit with nearby water hoses and logs to sit on is available closer to the house. This is not really suitable for cooking on but is great for toasting marshmallows! Each site has a fire pit which you can use providing it is not a total fire ban. Firewood is available at a cost to you of $50 per wheelbarrow load which will easily cover two nights. This is the main source of fuel for our home so if you burn the wood we have paid to have split on our property we’ll have to replace it to keep our family warm. We have four separate camping locations on the property; site 3 right next top the dam is limited to one large RV and/or a couple of tents but you can easily have up to four RVs on sites 1, 2 and 4. We have tried to ensure privacy for each location but you may be able to see other guests and/or the house through the many trees. Please be aware that there are two dams on the property, only one of which is fenced with livestock fencing, so children should supervised at all times. My own children swim in the dam and there is a kayak available but lifejackets must be worn by children in, around and on the water to minimise risk. Pets are welcome but are entirely your responsibility. The kangaroos may prove quite enticing for some pets and as such we recommend dogs should be kept on their leash. We have one dog on our property and our neighbours also have dogs. Site 4 has ringlock fencing and farm gates which can be helpful to contain your dogs. Please be aware that the Kyneton Gun Club has their monthly clay target shoot on the 3rd Sunday of each month (2nd Sunday in December) from 11am until 5pm during which time you will hear them clay pigeon shooting. We are NOT a commercial campsite and, as such, you must be fully self-contained for power, water, showers, sewage, refuse disposal, etc. We only have our household wheelie bins and once they’re full then they’re full. Rubbish cannot be left on the ground next to them due to the local wildlife. THIS PROPERTY IS NOT SUITABLE FOR NOISY AND/OR DRUNKEN PARTYING!!!! Guests under the age of 25 must be accompanied by their parents.

* Before taxes and fees

82%

(122)

Little River Camp

8 sites · RVs, Tents100 acres · Little River, VIC

The property features 150 acres of open flat grass with trees peppered around boundaries, and peaceful views of the mountains close by. We are located close to the township of Little River, made famous for movies that were produced here including Mad Max and The Dress Maker. We offer several campsites suited to self-contained campers who bring their own camping toilet/shower, and drinking water supply. Not too far from here you will find the You Yangs, which are the geological signature to Melbourne's western horizon. This low-lying mound of hills is a truly ancient upwelling of granite, having formed more than 350 million years ago. There are some great places here to explore, with options for mountain bike trails, horse-riding trails, orienteering areas, picnic grounds and even a nearby paint ball place! Your dog is welcome. Campfires permitted (when not in fireban season). Farm on left side ( entering gifkins rd) with double gate with Digital Lock System, so you need New code every time ( entering and leaving farm) digital code change every 5 mint. sorry for any inconvenience.

* Before taxes and fees

100%

(312)

Pebbleridge Camp

9 sites · RVs, Tents160 acres · Baringhup, VIC

Our property is located in the historical town of Maldon in Central Victoria. The campsites are among some huge granite boulders and undulating farm land.The property overlooks the Nuggety Ranges and Mount Tarrengower to the south east and the Pyrenees Ranges in the distance which provides us with some of the most stunning sunsets.Take a ride on the Victorian Goldfields Railway, explore the Maldon Markets or take a ride or a walk on the Catlemaine to Maldon trail. We are also close to a number of great wineries where you can sample local wines and produce. There are also a number of other great restaurants in the area.We are also within easy reach of Mount Alexander Regional Park which has a number of beautiful walking trails and lookouts.Pets are welcome but must be kept on a leash at all times to ensure the livestock are protected. Campfires are allowed in the fire pit provided pending there are no restrictions in place. We have tank water available.

* Before taxes and fees

95%

(57)

Lovely Bush Property

2 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents10 acres · Lillicur, VIC

Surrounded by Lillicur State Forest, opportunities for walks, horse riding and bike riding abound Four mountain bikes are ready to roll and a solar panel will keep phones charged A holding yard will keep your horses happy and shaded. A nine hole mini golf course is ready to challenge you!! Only one booking is taken for any night. As soon as you book, the property becomes yours and is unavailable to anybody else 10 minutes down the road you'll find the quaint village of Talbot. The town retains a number of historic buildings from its prosperous gold mining days. Some of the old shops which line this street are now home to speciality businesses, including a clothing boutique, bookshop and homewares store. The restored London House building in Scandinavian Crescent operates as a cafe and visitor information centre and is surrounded by an attractive community garden. At the corner of Scandinavian Crescent and Fyfe Street is the Talbot Pioneers Memorial Playground with BBQ and picnic shelters. A farmers market operates in the town streets every 3rd Sunday of the month. The pool is great in summer months and the general store is well managed by Prue and open 8am to 7pm every day 2 hours from Melbourne, 1 hours from Ballarat.

* Before taxes and fees

98%

(44)

Anakie Gorge Getaway

6 sites · RVs, Tents24 acres · Staughton Vale, VIC

Anakie Gorge Getaway is situated on 25-acres of serene bushland that merges with the Brisbane Ranges National Park and is directly adjacent to the entrance of Anakie Gorge Walk. This private camp is located on beautiful open grassland just 25 minutes from Geelong, 35 minutes to the Spirit of Tasmania dock in Corio Quay, and 40 minutes from Melbourne. With no camping permitted at Anakie Gorge, our property gives you a tranquil overnight stay in direct proximity for an early start to the Anakie Gorge Walk without having to drive home at the end of the day. Choose from 3 carefully selected camp sites and set up base camp to enjoy day trips exploring the local wineries, such as del Rios, walking and cycling trails of the You Yangs State Park, and Serendip Wildlife Sanctuary, or as a convenient overnight stop on your way to explore the Great Ocean Road or before/after your trip on the Spirit of Tasmania. The camping area is easily accessed from maintained roads, where guests can drive in and park on the spacious lower paddock (no reversing or 3-point-turns necessary). As this beautiful, secluded location is off-grid, guests will need to be Self Contained (BYO toilet/shower) and Leave No Trace. If you would like to enjoy our property all to yourself, simply book two of the campsites, and send us a message and we will happily reserve the 3rd campsite for your group free of charge. We are happy to consider additional guests and up to 1 extra vehicle per campsite (camping with your friends, their kids and yours is more fun!) however, ensure to contact the Host to request and arrange this at the time of booking. We expect our guests to be quiet and respectful to neighbouring farming families/properties. Parties and large groups are strictly not permitted. Please take everything with you and leave the site as you found it. Extra charges will apply for any rubbish, food scraps etc left on site. Amenities: ‘Long Drop’ toilets, BBQs and picnic tables are available a short walk away at the Anakie Gorge Picnic grounds. When visiting the Anakie Gorge Walk/Picnic Grounds (Brisbane Ranges National Park) please observe and abide by the rules of Parks Victoria. Due to our immediate proximity to farms and the Brisbane Ranges National Park the following are strictly NOT permitted: dogs, cats, pets, drones. Strictly NO fires, NO firearms, NO hunting permitted. Fire Danger Period – CURRENT to 1st of May 2024. We are currently in the Fire Danger Period, which means there are restrictions on what people legally can and can’t do with regard to outdoor fires (campfires, camp cooking, fires, BBQs, stoves) or anything that may produce a spark; campers may want to bring food/drink that doesn't require cooking or heating, or use the BBQs at the Anakie Gorge Picnic area IF conditions allow this. For specifics of what people are legally allowed to do or not do with regard to open air fires/cooking etc please read the information on the CFA Victoria website for fire warnings, fire bans ratings and restrictions and the "Can I? Can't I?" section for the Central region. Total Fire Ban Days: On total fire ban days strictly NO flames or sparks, no exceptions. For the safety of our guests, bookings falling on Catastrophic Fire Danger Rating days will be cancelled and campers will be reimbursed. Severe Weather and Bushfire: Please make yourself aware of bushfire or other severe weather warnings (e.g. ABC Emergency or Emergency Victoria) for UP-TO-DATE information, especially during the fire danger period. Safety and Hazards: You are responsible for your own safety and the safety of those in your care. Hazards to be aware of: snakes, uneven ground, trees or loose/falling limbs (it is your responsibility to set up your camp in an area you deem free of hazards). Flash flooding of Stony Creek (this is rare, however, please observe weather warnings at the time of camping). Please make yourself aware of bushfire or other severe weather warnings (e.g. ABC Emergency or Emergency Victoria) for UP-TO-DATE information, especially during the fire danger period. On Total Fire Ban days strictly NO flames or sparks, no exceptions. Other things to be aware of: No mobile phone reception. You might achieve some mobile phone reception if you head back up Gorge Road to Staughton Vale Road, though this is dependent on your mobile phone provider and cannot be guaranteed. Please check, temporary closures to the Anakie Gorge and/or the Brisbane Ranges and trail access requirements. Before commencing on bush walks, check local weather and bushfire advice for planned burns and bushfire warnings and let someone know before you go. Plan ahead and hike safely.

* Before taxes and fees

100%

(37)

Korweinguboora Rec Reserve & Hall

1 site · RV, Tent10 acres · Spargo Creek, VIC

The Korweingy Recreation Reserve is a wonderful country hall and oval. It is 12 minutes from Daylesford and in the heart of the Wombat State Forest. It has a huge hall, kitchen, toilets and showers, and a huge oval. It even has a little lounge area. The oval is the same dimensions AS THE MCG! The site can accommodate up to 30 campers, and you'll have full use of the hall and all facilities. An amazing place for large groups to hold events, and gatherings and only an hour from Melbourne. Enjoy all the area has to offer, and come back to your own paradise in the bush. Wake up to roos on the oval and enjoy a barbie with your group. Please note the hall has power but the camping area has no power. If you live in the Korweinguboora area please email korweinguboorarecreserve@gmail.com to obtain a discount code.

* Before taxes and fees

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Camping near Ballarat with hiking guide

Overview

Looking for the perfect camping experience in the beautiful Ballarat, Victoria area? Look no further than Hampton Park (180 reviews), a secluded spot perfect for hiking enthusiasts. Or, check out The Fern Glade (121 reviews), a serene getaway. If you prefer a picturesque campsite, consider Pebbleridge Camp (117 reviews). Hipcamp has got you covered with over 1114 options to choose from, all near Ballarat. Plus, with popular facilities like rubbish disposal, campfires, and pet-friendly options, you'll have everything you need for a memorable camping trip. So pack your hiking boots and get ready to explore the historic sites and wildlife watching opportunities that the Ballarat, Victoria area has to offer. Average price per night is $50, with options as low as $5. Happy camping!