The best lakeside camping near Lara

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Pitch your tent by the water in Lara—this spot draws campers who want easy access to lakeside camping without the crowds. With over 100 lakefront options, you can camp steps from the shoreline, fish at dawn, or swim when the sun’s out. Prices average around $60 a night, but you can snag a site for as little as $30. Top picks like Olive Farm (198 reviews), Boulder Brook Valley (63 reviews), and Lakeside or Orchard Paddock Camping (52 reviews) put you right on the water with the bonus of hot showers, flushing toilets, and pet-friendly rules. Bring your fishing rod, swimming gear, or saddle up for a ride—locals make the most of every minute outdoors here.

94% (456) 8 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Lara

Olive Farm

1. Olive Farm

99%
(365)
67km from Lara · 51 sites · Tents, RVs
Welcome to the Olive Farm! We are a working olive farm situated on the edge of the Otway Ranges, between Deans Marsh and Birregurra, 25 minutes to Lorne and the Great Ocean Road, and only a few kilometers from the famous Brae Restaurant. We are in a beautiful part of the world, so please remember and take all your rubbish with you when you leave. Dogs are welcome, but please be aware that we are full of kangaroos, sheep, and other wildlife, so they may need to be placed on a leash for the safety of fellow campers and wildlife. Fires are permitted in fire pits, and wood is available to purchase on-site. during the cooler months. We have a fragile ecosystem here, so we ask not to bring in wood and to purchase it off the farm. Olive oil is available, and table olives harvested this year are in brine, ready to jar up. The table olives we have are Kalamata, Spanish Queens, and Jumbo Kalamata.
Pets
Toilets
from 
AU$86
 / night
Lake Colac Holiday Park

2. Lake Colac Holiday Park

96%
(14)
79km from Lara · 46 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
Lake Colac Holiday Park is located on the Lake Colac foreshore beside the beautiful Colac Botanic Gardens and Barongarook Creek. Offering guests a choice of caravan and camping sites, including regular powered and unpowered sites, en-suite powered sites with drive-through. The holiday park is a short stroll from the Botanic Gardens, playground and Café, bird sanctuary and an easy walk to the Colac Township. A short drive to the Otways and Great Ocean Road makes this an ideal base to see the sights, and the perfect base alongside ferry crossings on the Spirit of Tasmania. Lake Colac Holiday Park provides a range of facilities and amenities to help make your stay more comfortable. Please find the list of amenities available to all guests: Dog friendly Powered and unpowered sites Reception Shower facilities Restroom facilities
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
from 
AU$44
 / night
Boulder Brook Valley

3. Boulder Brook Valley

96%
(101)
54km from Lara · 1 site · Tent, RV
This 100 acre farm provides a dip into the outback with less time spent travelling for hours around victoria We live here as a family on the front half of the property and are currently using it to farm cattle and chickens, grow hay and keep bees Enjoy a campsite with complete serenity, and take a breather from the noise of the world Were located only 45 minutes from the CBD 10 minute drive to diggers rest and sunbury if you need supplies and only 5 minute drive to the nearest servo "I like that boulder, that is a nice boulder" - Donkey
Pets
Campfires
Picnic table
from 
AU$91
 / night
Bells Beach Cottages - Pet friendly

4. Bells Beach Cottages - Pet friendly

40km from Lara · 3 sites · Lodging
Our pet friendly cottages are on 5 beautiful acres of natural bushland between the magnificent Great Ocean Road and renowned surfing location, Bells Beach. Each cottage has 2 bedrooms, 2 car spaces and is fully self-contained, complete with BBQ and outdoor entertaining area. Wake up to the peaceful sounds of native birds and views of our garden and nearby dam. With wood fires inside and Netflix provided this is the perfect year-round retreat for families, couples and lovers of the outdoors.
Pets
Toilets
Showers
from 
AU$605
 / night
Lakeside or Orchard Paddock Camping

5. Lakeside or Orchard Paddock Camping

99%
(66)
72km from Lara · 3 sites · Tents
The historic property ‘Lisieux’ dates back to 1849. Once a drovers house where cattle from Melbourne were held for summer grazing. The beautifully restored house and stunning lake gardens are surrounded by paddocks next to a native creek line that make for the perfect camping spots. Choose to camp next to one of the two lakes or in a more secluded spot in the old orchard paddock. Toilet facilities available.
Campfires
Toilets
Picnic table
from 
AU$79
 / night
Tea Tree Creek Bush Camp

6. Tea Tree Creek Bush Camp

100%
(26)
43km from Lara · 2 sites · Tents, RVs
Excellent Trout Fishing in large dams on property. Rainbow and Brown trout stocked in both dams. Good sized fish. Old , Rustic Bush Hut at main campsite which has verandah, wooden floor, and can be used for sleeping in or as general purpose area. Excellent yabby dams on property for the kids and adults who want to do some yabbying. Also eels in a another couple of dams on property, so it certainly has something for all anglers. 550 acre property which has 3 different seasonal creeks flowing through it. Six excellent hideaway Camping sites to choose from. Some close to the water. Large sites which can handle 40 campers per site. Good areas of bushland and also a working sheep farm. Very private areas for camping. Campfires available but only in months when fire restrictions are not in force. A wide range of birdlife and duck life, wildlife including kangaroos, possums, echidnas. In wet weather you may need a 4 wheel drive vechile to access some of the sites. You will need to bring all your camping gear as these are tent and vechile sites only. We dont have any huts at this stage. 30 minute drive to Ballarat, 45 Min Geelong, 2 minutes drive to the village of Elaine and The Farmgate Shop which is open 7 days a week with a full range of all groceries, bbq needs, drinks, snacks, etc. 5 minutes to dollys creek, 5 minutes to Mt Doran/Lal Lal, 10 minutes to Meredith. Its a hidden gem. We are happy to take your booking. Sorry strictly no dogs allowed.
Campfires
Picnic table
from 
AU$43
 / night
Rowsley Farm

7. Rowsley Farm

75%
(14)
36km from Lara · 10 sites · Tents, RVs
This 53 acre farm is an hour away from Melbourne CBD and 15 minutes away from Bacchus Marsh towards Geelong. The property is located at the Glenmore Rd in stunning Rowsley Valley surrounded by amazing sceneries. Great opportunity for kids to observe Ponies, cows, sheep and chickens locked away in different paddocks. It has a lake which is approximately 5 feet deep in the middle and can be used for recreational purpose.
Pets
Water hookup
Potable water
from 
AU$73
 / night

Pitch your tent by the water in Lara—this spot draws campers who want easy access to lakeside camping without the crowds. With over 100 lakefront options, you can camp steps from the shoreline, fish at dawn, or swim when the sun’s out. Prices average around $60 a night, but you can snag a site for as little as $30. Top picks like Olive Farm (198 reviews), Boulder Brook Valley (63 reviews), and Lakeside or Orchard Paddock Camping (52 reviews) put you right on the water with the bonus of hot showers, flushing toilets, and pet-friendly rules. Bring your fishing rod, swimming gear, or saddle up for a ride—locals make the most of every minute outdoors here.

94% (456) 8 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Lara

Olive Farm

1. Olive Farm

99%
(365)
67km from Lara · 51 sites · Tents, RVs
Welcome to the Olive Farm! We are a working olive farm situated on the edge of the Otway Ranges, between Deans Marsh and Birregurra, 25 minutes to Lorne and the Great Ocean Road, and only a few kilometers from the famous Brae Restaurant. We are in a beautiful part of the world, so please remember and take all your rubbish with you when you leave. Dogs are welcome, but please be aware that we are full of kangaroos, sheep, and other wildlife, so they may need to be placed on a leash for the safety of fellow campers and wildlife. Fires are permitted in fire pits, and wood is available to purchase on-site. during the cooler months. We have a fragile ecosystem here, so we ask not to bring in wood and to purchase it off the farm. Olive oil is available, and table olives harvested this year are in brine, ready to jar up. The table olives we have are Kalamata, Spanish Queens, and Jumbo Kalamata.
Pets
Toilets
from 
AU$86
 / night
Lake Colac Holiday Park

2. Lake Colac Holiday Park

96%
(14)
79km from Lara · 46 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
Lake Colac Holiday Park is located on the Lake Colac foreshore beside the beautiful Colac Botanic Gardens and Barongarook Creek. Offering guests a choice of caravan and camping sites, including regular powered and unpowered sites, en-suite powered sites with drive-through. The holiday park is a short stroll from the Botanic Gardens, playground and Café, bird sanctuary and an easy walk to the Colac Township. A short drive to the Otways and Great Ocean Road makes this an ideal base to see the sights, and the perfect base alongside ferry crossings on the Spirit of Tasmania. Lake Colac Holiday Park provides a range of facilities and amenities to help make your stay more comfortable. Please find the list of amenities available to all guests: Dog friendly Powered and unpowered sites Reception Shower facilities Restroom facilities
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
from 
AU$44
 / night
Boulder Brook Valley

3. Boulder Brook Valley

96%
(101)
54km from Lara · 1 site · Tent, RV
This 100 acre farm provides a dip into the outback with less time spent travelling for hours around victoria We live here as a family on the front half of the property and are currently using it to farm cattle and chickens, grow hay and keep bees Enjoy a campsite with complete serenity, and take a breather from the noise of the world Were located only 45 minutes from the CBD 10 minute drive to diggers rest and sunbury if you need supplies and only 5 minute drive to the nearest servo "I like that boulder, that is a nice boulder" - Donkey
Pets
Campfires
Picnic table
from 
AU$91
 / night
Bells Beach Cottages - Pet friendly

4. Bells Beach Cottages - Pet friendly

40km from Lara · 3 sites · Lodging
Our pet friendly cottages are on 5 beautiful acres of natural bushland between the magnificent Great Ocean Road and renowned surfing location, Bells Beach. Each cottage has 2 bedrooms, 2 car spaces and is fully self-contained, complete with BBQ and outdoor entertaining area. Wake up to the peaceful sounds of native birds and views of our garden and nearby dam. With wood fires inside and Netflix provided this is the perfect year-round retreat for families, couples and lovers of the outdoors.
Pets
Toilets
Showers
from 
AU$605
 / night
Lakeside or Orchard Paddock Camping

5. Lakeside or Orchard Paddock Camping

99%
(66)
72km from Lara · 3 sites · Tents
The historic property ‘Lisieux’ dates back to 1849. Once a drovers house where cattle from Melbourne were held for summer grazing. The beautifully restored house and stunning lake gardens are surrounded by paddocks next to a native creek line that make for the perfect camping spots. Choose to camp next to one of the two lakes or in a more secluded spot in the old orchard paddock. Toilet facilities available.
Campfires
Toilets
Picnic table
from 
AU$79
 / night
Tea Tree Creek Bush Camp

6. Tea Tree Creek Bush Camp

100%
(26)
43km from Lara · 2 sites · Tents, RVs
Excellent Trout Fishing in large dams on property. Rainbow and Brown trout stocked in both dams. Good sized fish. Old , Rustic Bush Hut at main campsite which has verandah, wooden floor, and can be used for sleeping in or as general purpose area. Excellent yabby dams on property for the kids and adults who want to do some yabbying. Also eels in a another couple of dams on property, so it certainly has something for all anglers. 550 acre property which has 3 different seasonal creeks flowing through it. Six excellent hideaway Camping sites to choose from. Some close to the water. Large sites which can handle 40 campers per site. Good areas of bushland and also a working sheep farm. Very private areas for camping. Campfires available but only in months when fire restrictions are not in force. A wide range of birdlife and duck life, wildlife including kangaroos, possums, echidnas. In wet weather you may need a 4 wheel drive vechile to access some of the sites. You will need to bring all your camping gear as these are tent and vechile sites only. We dont have any huts at this stage. 30 minute drive to Ballarat, 45 Min Geelong, 2 minutes drive to the village of Elaine and The Farmgate Shop which is open 7 days a week with a full range of all groceries, bbq needs, drinks, snacks, etc. 5 minutes to dollys creek, 5 minutes to Mt Doran/Lal Lal, 10 minutes to Meredith. Its a hidden gem. We are happy to take your booking. Sorry strictly no dogs allowed.
Campfires
Picnic table
from 
AU$43
 / night
Rowsley Farm

7. Rowsley Farm

75%
(14)
36km from Lara · 10 sites · Tents, RVs
This 53 acre farm is an hour away from Melbourne CBD and 15 minutes away from Bacchus Marsh towards Geelong. The property is located at the Glenmore Rd in stunning Rowsley Valley surrounded by amazing sceneries. Great opportunity for kids to observe Ponies, cows, sheep and chickens locked away in different paddocks. It has a lake which is approximately 5 feet deep in the middle and can be used for recreational purpose.
Pets
Water hookup
Potable water
from 
AU$73
 / night

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

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Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field