Waterside caravan camping in Yarra Valley
From camping to glamping, the Yarra Valley has it all, and it’s easy to reach from Melbourne.
Popular camping styles for Yarra Valley
Waterside caravan camping in Yarra Valley guide
Overview
Fanning out around Victoria’s Yarra River, the Yarra Valley is a fertile region that’s renowned for its cool-climate wines, foodie experiences, rolling countryside, and mountainous parks, all close to Melbourne city. The main towns in the Yarra Valley are Coldstream, Yarra Glen, Healesville, and Warburton. Campers can enjoy a range of options, from basic tent sites surrounded by bush to glamping, cabins, and well-equipped holiday parks. The Yarra Ranges National Park is full of rainforest and is a snowy playground in winter, and there are other parks and reserves throughout the Yarra Valley area. The Yarra Valley area tends to experience four distinct seasons, with attractive autumns, hot summers, and cold winters.
Where to go
Healesville
A main Yarra Valley town, Healesville is a hub of food and drink (largely wine!) and a handy base for campers who want to enjoy the restaurants or prepare their own gourmet meals around the campfire. The town is equipped with holiday parks with good facilities and different camping options to suit various budgets. Healesville is a short distance from the Maroondah Reservoir, where there are picnic spots and scenic walks.
Yarra Ranges National Park
The forested Yarra Ranges National Park spreads out around the Yarra Valley towns of Marysville, Healesville, and Warburton. The trees and vegetation here are especially impressive, and are a lovely environment for short walks and hikes. There are campsites throughout this national park but some of these have undergone repairs after storms; if they’re unavailable, there are nearby campsites and holiday parks elsewhere in the Yarra Valley, including Healesville and at other national and regional parks.
Kinglake National Park
A popular spot among hikers, mountain bikers, and campers, the Kinglake National Park is on the slopes of the Great Dividing Range and is easily accessible from the Yarra Valley. Keen and casual bird watchers alike will also enjoy looking out for the colourful bird life in this park, and the tall Masons Falls are especially impressive after rain. The small campsite within the park has space for tents, caravans, and camper vans, and is surrounded by shady eucalyptus trees.
Dandenong Ranges National Park
The Dandenong Ranges are often referred to at the same time as the Yarra Valley, as many day or overnight trippers from Melbourne visit both areas. The cool rainforested mountains are dotted with waterfalls, making this an ideal destination for hiking and picnicking, as well as camping. Campers can find everything from basic tent sites to luxurious cabins in the Dandenong Ranges, and it’s all very accessible from Melbourne.
