The best family-friendly glamping near Bendigo, Victoria

Victoria’s mammoth gold boom of the mid-1800s saw Bendigo evolve from a tent city into today’s prosperous region, which proudly displays its rich heritage and cultural attractions for visiting campers. About two hours’ drive north of Melbourne, greater Bendigo National Park is a great spot to try your hand at gold panning, while Bendigo Bushland Trail, O’Keefe Rail Trail, and Bendigo Creek Trail are popular spots with hikers and mountain bikers. Further afield, campers can paddle a kayak or SUP board along the Murray River and opt for a stay at a tent or caravan park. Bendigo holiday parks are typically well equipped, some with glamping tents and luxury facilities like swimming pools and ensuite bathrooms.

99% (411)

Top-rated campgrounds

Victoria’s mammoth gold boom of the mid-1800s saw Bendigo evolve from a tent city into today’s prosperous region, which proudly displays its rich heritage and cultural attractions for visiting campers. About two hours’ drive north of Melbourne, greater Bendigo National Park is a great spot to try your hand at gold panning, while Bendigo Bushland Trail, O’Keefe Rail Trail, and Bendigo Creek Trail are popular spots with hikers and mountain bikers. Further afield, campers can paddle a kayak or SUP board along the Murray River and opt for a stay at a tent or caravan park. Bendigo holiday parks are typically well equipped, some with glamping tents and luxury facilities like swimming pools and ensuite bathrooms.

99% (411)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Redbank156 camping / PITCHED cabins

99%

(290)

40km from Bendigo · 10 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · 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 suited to campers wanting to be super close to the toilet, rustic showers, bbq hut , and farm play area . It's a major hit with the kids making it a popular spot for families. SITE 2 paddock sites still within walking distance to loo and shower but well spread out to provide guests with there own space. More Suculed gain more privacy with our secluded sites more suited to self-sufficient campers , or those who don't mind a small hike or short drive to facilities. #All sites on Redbank have access to one of our hot outdoor showers and either a flush toilet,compost toilet, porta loo #Fire pits at all sites Gas bbq hut. #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?

2. Lalgambook Retreat

100%

(15)

60km from Bendigo · 2 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Mount Franklin, VIC

Our property is in a peaceful hidden valley on hilly acreage surrounded by native bush. It is just near the beautiful tourist town of Daylesford in central Victoria and an hour and a half by car from Melbourne. The property features a large dam that is suitable for swimming and canoeing/kayaking. The sites have great views of the water and the undulating bush. The property teems with wildlife and you can spot kangaroos, wallabies, possums, echidnas, kookaburras, parrots, eagles, waterbirds and many other bird species on a daily basis. In spring wildflower walks on the property are a highlight but it's enjoyable to explore all year round. The property is a tranquil haven for those looking to enjoy peace and privacy whilst great coffee, food, wineries, sights and shopping are only ten minutes away. We live on the property in an off grid solar house we have built ourselves.

3. Lovely Bush Property

95%

(60)

74km from Bendigo · 2 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · 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.

4. Kilbirnie Peak Glamping

100%

(156)

78km from Bendigo · 1 site · Lodging · Berrimal, VIC

Kilbirnie Peak Glamping is situated on our 6th generation family farm. Here, you'll find a sunrise and sunset lovers delight. Bleeting sheep in the distance, kangaroos grazing below, eagles flying above, a true farm life glamping experience. The main operation here on the farm is cropping canola, wheat, barley, lupins and running merino ewes to grow fat lambs and wool. Tim and Susie with sons Joe and Sam live at the homestead 2km from the glamping site, we’re all happy to assist with any problems that may pop up. Book with us, and you'll arrive to your gorgeous tent furnished and ready to relax. The 5m Bell tent is uniquely situated in a secluded old tin shed amongst the Berrimal Hills with incredible 360 views on top of the peak. The accommodation is set up for couples, with a queen bed and many extra comforts to help you unwind, including the indulgent bath with a view (with hot water!), flush toilet, hot water shower, well equipped camp kitchen and more. If the weathers cool, warm up at the fire pit or by the wood burning fire. Book a gourmet boz with cheese and crackers, or order a pizza prep box for the gas pizza oven as additional treats during your stay. For larger groups, we can also provide a 3 metre bell tent or Carrie the Caravan both fully furnished for an extra fee. Message us for details.

Stories from the community

T

Tayah

1 week ago

Weekend Trip to Redbank156 camping / PITCHED cabins

The place was amazing! Am 100% recommending it to friends in family in the area. Owners were super nice and kept the area well maintained. Perfect for couples and larger groups for a weekend getaway 🌞🌅

P

Pete

3 weeks ago

With pets

Weekend Trip to Redbank156 camping / PITCHED cabins

Great spot. pity for us it was windy as all hell. no wind and would be a great spot

J

Jose Alejandro

November 2025

Weekend Trip to Kilbirnie Peak Glamping

Nice & Cozy, it has everything you need to enjoy. The view was just perfect, a good place to rest & relax.

M

Michael Pram

October 2025

With kids

Weekend Trip to Kilbirnie Peak Glamping

Such a fantastic spot. On a peak with great nature 360-nature view, fabulous sunset and stargazing opportunies as well. We stayed with our 2 kids and plenty of space. Nice and clean with all you need for a get-away.

M

Muhannad

September 2025

With pets

Weekend Trip to Redbank156 camping / PITCHED cabins

Highly recommend. We had so much fun and crystal is very friendly and helpful

A

Arun

September 2025

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Kilbirnie Peak Glamping

beautiful spot for a circuit-breaker from city life. Technically, you're in a tent, but it's the size of a small apartment, so it's easy to just chill out, relax, and unwind. A decent kitchen, bathroom, a lovely and a lovely little deck from which to gaze at the stars make this place a delight.

S

Sindy

September 2025

Weekend Trip to Kilbirnie Peak Glamping

Don’t go looking elsewhere but do yourself a favour and book your stay here! Its the most magical place with everything you need and more. From the candles to the firelighters, lots of blankets, pizza oven, grill, open fireplace, lots of ottomans and a bathtub. We felt at peace and very secluded. Susi has done such an excellent job and deserves lots of credit for it. She wrote us a little note and packed two delicious homemade cookies which was extremely cute. Will definitely come back for more and recommend to anyone i know!!!❤️❤️❤️❤️

A

Amanda

August 2025

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Kilbirnie Peak Glamping

Absolute perfection! Susie had thought of every thing! 🙌 We had such a wonderful girls night away! Can’t wait to come back! Highly recommended to a lot friends and family. Thank you Susie for a the most magical experience with the girls! ❤️

M

Megha

August 2025

Weekend Trip to Kilbirnie Peak Glamping

I had the most wonderful stay at this stunning property! From the moment I arrived, I was impressed by the warm welcome, immaculate cleanliness, and thoughtful attention to detail throughout the space. The interior design was both elegant and cozy — every corner felt like it belonged in a magazine. The view added an extra touch of magic, making mornings and evenings truly special. The bed was incredibly comfortable, and all amenities were top notch from the fully equipped kitchen to the luxurious bathtub. The host was friendly, responsive, and made sure everything was perfect during my stay. I genuinely didn’t want to leave, and I can’t wait to return. Highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a relaxing and memorable stay 🙏😍

M

Melanie

August 2025

Weekend Trip to Kilbirnie Peak Glamping

This place as pretty much everything you need! Baking paper, plates & bowls, utensils, hot water bottles, cards and so much more. Such a magical weekend away, thanks Susie & family for the lovely home away from home x

a

anastasia

June 2025

Weekend Trip to Kilbirnie Peak Glamping

Perfect place, has everything you need. It's a unique experience be there in the middle of nature. Susan is really friendly, kind and helpful. I highly recommend this place! I will love to go back one day!

A

Andrew

June 2025

Group trip

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.

A

Abhishek

June 2025

Weekend Trip to Kilbirnie Peak Glamping

Stayed here over the weekend with my wife—was a lovely little escape. The host was super helpful and made everything easy. The tent had everything we needed: a small kitchen, clean washroom, and best of all, a hot water bathtub out on the deck. It got pretty windy after dark, but the felt warm and cosy inside the tent. Would go again in summer.

Susan

June 2025

Weekend Trip to Lovely Bush Property

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

L

Linda

June 2025

Weekend Trip to Lalgambook Retreat

We recently stayed in Vanessa the Vintage Van at the beautiful Lalgambook Retreat over a long weekend, and while it turned out to be the wettest weekend imaginable, we had a truly memorable experience. Perched on a picturesque property overlooking a serene dam, the van itself is absolutely charming—originally styled, incredibly comfortable, and had everything you could possibly need for a cozy stay. Despite the unexpected cold snap, our experience was warm and welcoming thanks to the wonderful hosts, who went above and beyond by providing extra blankets and a heater to keep us comfortable. Although the rain kept us indoors for most of the time - when we weren’t navigating Daylesford - we genuinely enjoyed the peaceful, snug atmosphere and left already planning our return. Next time, we’re looking forward to making the most of the property, hosting a fire pit, taking nature walks, and spotting the local wildlife. Vanessa is a little gem in a truly special setting. Highly recommend for anyone after a unique, restful retreat—rain or shine!

S

Sam

May 2025

With pets

Weekend Trip to Redbank156 camping / PITCHED cabins

Excellent spot to stay and chill out. Highly recommended, and helpful owner

Michelle

May 2025

Weekend Trip to Kilbirnie Peak Glamping

I don’t have a bad thing to say about this property. Highly recommend! Susan was helpful with directions and anything we needed. They’ve thought of everything you need, comfy bed and hot shower! Will definitely be back.

P

Phillip

May 2025

Weekend Trip to Lovely Bush Property

The site has many personal touches. They make camping easy. Lots of trees and plenty of space. Cheers

Jenna

May 2025

With kids

Weekend Trip to Redbank156 camping / PITCHED cabins

We loved our stay. the tents had all the facilities you need to just pull up and enjoy the wide open space.

C

Cooper

May 2025

Weekend Trip to Kilbirnie Peak Glamping

Unreal spot, photos don’t do it justice. And very well setup we were very happy with our stay here!

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

The best family-friendly glamping near Bendigo guide

Where to go

Castlemaine

Castlemaine is a small city with an eclectic arts scene, which attracts creatives from around the globe. A thriving food scene is supported by an artisan precinct, home to vintage collectables and vintage markets where makers produce cheeses, small goods, clothing, furniture, art, and more. Campers are welcome at nearby Hipcamps and holiday parks that offer easy access to the town’s fun.

Maldon

Maldon proudly displays its heritage with grand historical architecture from the mid-19th-century gold rush era, a Vintage Machinery Museum, and a steam train ride on the Victorian Goldfields Railway. Shop for local produce, antiques, and handcrafted souvenirs at Maldon Market, then escape town for an overnight stay in the bush or on the Loddon River.

Axedale

Midway between Bendigo and Heathcote, enjoy the BBQ area and shady picnic spots in riverside parklands at Axedale, where you might see the river’s famed platypus. Axedale is a popular stopping point for cyclists or walkers on the O’Keefe Rail Trail, while lunch at the Axedale Tavern, a family-friendly country style pub, is a must do.

When to go

Summer is peak season in Victoria with campsites, caravan parks, and holiday parks best booked far in advance—Christmas and Easter holidays are particularly in demand. If you’re looking for fewer crowds, visit after the Australia Day long weekend in January, which marks the end of the summer school holidays, and before Easter, which is generally when nights start to get cool. Vineyards harvest vines from February to April, making it a good time to book a wine tour around Bendigo.

Know before you go

Free camping sites are dotted throughout the region, many with toilets, fire pits, BBQ areas, and picnic tables.
More than 60 cellar doors and vineyards dot the Bendigo and Heathcote wine region, some offering wine tours and meals.
Castlemaine State Festival is held each April as Australia’s flagship regional arts event, attracting international and local talent over almost three weeks of events.
For travellers driving north toward NSW, Lions Park Rest Area at Huntly is a popular stop on the Midland Highway, while the bushcamp-style Notley Campground is an overnight campsite and parking area managed by Parks Victoria.