The best desert campgrounds in Victoria

There are so many ways to go wild in Victoria. Fall asleep to the boom of the surf from your beachfront campsite, drive one of the world's most scenic coastal roads, glamp it up in the middle of a vineyard, or touch the sky in the snow-capped high country. If it's animal encounters you like, you'll love the penguin parade on Phillip Island and dolphin swims in Port Phillip Bay, as well as the chance to see koala colonies, mobs of kangaroos, and platypus-filled streams. Plus, the bonus to Victoria is that nowhere is more than a day's drive from Melbourne—many of the best campsites are only a few hours drive from the city—so you can cram a lot of fun into a relatively short amount of time.

100% (3) • 2 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds in Victoria

Stringybark Camp

1. Stringybark Camp

100%

(4)

Dimboola, VIC · 1 site · Tent, RV

Stringybark Camp is located on the border of the Little Desert National Park. This natural Wimmera location is close to the Wimmera river, Horseshoe and Ackle bend swimming spots and the Little Dessert look out. The site is abundant with natural flora, visiting emus, echidna and wandering wallaby. This site has a historical quarry site, holding a small amount of water in the wet season. The location is private and secluded and features walking tracks, and motorbike riding locations for the dirt bike enthusiast. Access is by dirt road accessible by standard vehicles.

Pets

Campfires

Picnic table

from

AU$37

/ night

Cactus Valley Sunraysia

2. Cactus Valley Sunraysia

Mildura, VIC · 1 site

Welcome to Cactus Valley Sunraysia, our very own “Little Arizona” inspired cactus garden based in Mildura, Sunraysia, Tropical North, Victoria. Located between the outskirts of a bustling town full of cafes, restaurants, entertainment and arts, and the Mildura Ski Club, Riverside Golf Club and racecourse, we are just a short walk from the Murray River via the Marina district, neighbouring the enchanting and majestic Etiwanda Wetlands where often you’ll see many wonderful birds such as Cormorants, Egrets, Herons, Ibis’, Pelicans, Ducks, Crows and the breathtaking Whistling Kite (Hawk), flying high and above around Cactus Valley, and hanging out with our Dolphin Diego in our heart shaped dam. Set on a 5.3 acres, at the end of our property, we have space in front and behind a 39m shed for you to set up. In front of the shed and to the one side, we have our cactus garden where you can walk around the garden, admiring the desert landscape full of cacti, succulents, rocks and wild life whilst watching the sun rise as the the day begins and also set in the evening. Whilst on the other side of shed is the wetlands and behind the shed offers more privacy next to the turf farm. All guests must be self-sufficient with toilet and portable water. Water and power connections available. WIFI available. The closest caravan dump point station (3.3km) and Mildura Coin Laundry (2km). No parties allowed. As much as we love pets, no pets allowed as we have friendly border collies on the property that like to walk around. So welcome to a blended lifestyle of Mildura and Arizona living where for a moment you can transport to the Wild West 🏜️🌵 💚🌵 The Dawes

Electrical hookup

Water hookup

from

AU$96

/ night

There are so many ways to go wild in Victoria. Fall asleep to the boom of the surf from your beachfront campsite, drive one of the world's most scenic coastal roads, glamp it up in the middle of a vineyard, or touch the sky in the snow-capped high country. If it's animal encounters you like, you'll love the penguin parade on Phillip Island and dolphin swims in Port Phillip Bay, as well as the chance to see koala colonies, mobs of kangaroos, and platypus-filled streams. Plus, the bonus to Victoria is that nowhere is more than a day's drive from Melbourne—many of the best campsites are only a few hours drive from the city—so you can cram a lot of fun into a relatively short amount of time.

100% (3) • 2 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds in Victoria

Stringybark Camp

1. Stringybark Camp

100%

(4)

Dimboola, VIC · 1 site · Tent, RV

Stringybark Camp is located on the border of the Little Desert National Park. This natural Wimmera location is close to the Wimmera river, Horseshoe and Ackle bend swimming spots and the Little Dessert look out. The site is abundant with natural flora, visiting emus, echidna and wandering wallaby. This site has a historical quarry site, holding a small amount of water in the wet season. The location is private and secluded and features walking tracks, and motorbike riding locations for the dirt bike enthusiast. Access is by dirt road accessible by standard vehicles.

Pets

Campfires

Picnic table

from

AU$37

/ night

Cactus Valley Sunraysia

2. Cactus Valley Sunraysia

Mildura, VIC · 1 site

Welcome to Cactus Valley Sunraysia, our very own “Little Arizona” inspired cactus garden based in Mildura, Sunraysia, Tropical North, Victoria. Located between the outskirts of a bustling town full of cafes, restaurants, entertainment and arts, and the Mildura Ski Club, Riverside Golf Club and racecourse, we are just a short walk from the Murray River via the Marina district, neighbouring the enchanting and majestic Etiwanda Wetlands where often you’ll see many wonderful birds such as Cormorants, Egrets, Herons, Ibis’, Pelicans, Ducks, Crows and the breathtaking Whistling Kite (Hawk), flying high and above around Cactus Valley, and hanging out with our Dolphin Diego in our heart shaped dam. Set on a 5.3 acres, at the end of our property, we have space in front and behind a 39m shed for you to set up. In front of the shed and to the one side, we have our cactus garden where you can walk around the garden, admiring the desert landscape full of cacti, succulents, rocks and wild life whilst watching the sun rise as the the day begins and also set in the evening. Whilst on the other side of shed is the wetlands and behind the shed offers more privacy next to the turf farm. All guests must be self-sufficient with toilet and portable water. Water and power connections available. WIFI available. The closest caravan dump point station (3.3km) and Mildura Coin Laundry (2km). No parties allowed. As much as we love pets, no pets allowed as we have friendly border collies on the property that like to walk around. So welcome to a blended lifestyle of Mildura and Arizona living where for a moment you can transport to the Wild West 🏜️🌵 💚🌵 The Dawes

Electrical hookup

Water hookup

from

AU$96

/ night

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

A

Ashley

November 2025

4 m pop-up camper

With kids

1 night at Stringybark Camp

Stringybark camp was isolated and just what we like about bush camping, shady trees, firepit and no one around. Megan was a lovely host, the site was easy to find. It was great to be close to and see the Little Desert National Park. Dimboola is a funky little town not too far away.

L

Lilia

April 2025

4 m pop-up camper

With pets

Weekend Trip to Stringybark Camp

Beautiful and peaceful place to camp! We enjoyed walking around the property, having peace and quiet with our dog and a fantastic fire pit that we used every night. Thank you for having us Megan :)

C

Caitlin

April 2025

Tent

2 nights at Stringybark Camp

Very private, open and and serene space. Perfect place for a nature reset. Stayed here as a stop over before visiting Melbourne and I’ll definitely be staying here again on future trips.

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

The best desert camping in Victoria guide

Where to go

Great Ocean Road

The Great Ocean Road west of Melbourne is one of the world's great scenic road trips, but there’s much more to see and do than snapping a selfie at the Twelve Apostles rock stacks. Zipline above the rainforest in Great Otway National Park, climb lighthouses, watch whales, surf iconic Bells Beach, and pitch a tent on any one of several beachside camping areas. Road tripping doesn't get much better than this.

Gippsland and the Bays

Gippsland stretches east of Melbourne to the sea and north to the border with NSW. Most of the coastline is protected by a string of national parks with fantastic seaside camping spots and holiday parks—and camping at Wilsons Promontory (locals just call it the Prom) on the mainland’s southernmost tip is a must-do at least once. This is also where you’ll find Phillip Island, home to the famous nightly penguin parade.

The Victorian Alps

The High Country is the place to go for winter snow sports and summer mountain bike trails, plus bushwalking. If that sounds too energetic, it’s also home to the Great Alpine Road, one of Australia's best food and wine touring routes (and yes, the scenery is pretty good too).

The Grampians

In the state's west, the Grampians are another mountain playground with a network of bushwalking trails, from quick 2-hour walking tracks to 3-day hikes in the Grampians National Park. This is also where campers can find the highest concentration of Indigenous art in the state. Opt for bush camping sites in the national park or more luxurious campsites at Halls Gap or Dunkeld caravan parks.

Murray Riverlands

Australia's longest river, the mighty Murray forms most of the border with NSW to the north, and all along its length are great beachfront campsites from where you can go for a swim or paddle a kayak, catch a fish, or sit back and watch the world glide by. Elsewhere in the riverlands, ride a restored paddle steamer at Echuca, take a cruise through the largest river red gum forest in the world at Barmah, and dine out in the foodie hot spot of Mildura.