Camping near Bairnsdale
This small town on Victoria’s eastern coast is the gateway to the Gippsland Lakes.
93% (1115 reviews)
93% (1115 reviews)
Popular camping styles for Bairnsdale
Dog-friendly getaways
Top camping destinations
Under $50
12 top campgrounds near Bairnsdale
100%
(20)
Lakes Bushland Caravan Park
38 sites · RVs, Tents32 acres · Nicholson, VIC
Lakes Bushland Caravan and Lifestyle Park is set on 32 acres located in Nicholson, Victoria. Offering a quiet, bush caravan park with facilities to ensure all guests have the opportunity to relax, unwind and make quality memories.
The park is located close to the Gippsland Rail Trail and the Gippsland Lakes and Rivers.
Pets
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Toilets
Campfires
Showers
from
AU$24
/ night
* Before taxes and fees
99%
(212)
Wattle Point Farm
7 sites · RVs, Tents126 acres · Forge Creek, VIC
Located close to Paynesville, Bairnsdale & Sale, Wattle Point Farm is a secluded, spacious and tranquil property with Lake frontage, wildlife & lush green natives, many walking tracks surround the property, a great fit for anyone who enjoys the outdoors, peace & quiet, relaxing by the water.
Close to Blond Bay Wildlife Reserve (2000 ha) with many tracks for walking, cycling or driving.
Give yourself some time away from the crowded popular destinations and discover our gem of a campsite. There are designated fire pits and shady green areas to relax and unwind, just a few steps to the water's edge.
No facilities, so please only book if you are self-contained, and you must take all waste with you.
Dogs welcome to join in the fun too!
Markets-
Bairnsdale farmers market 1st Saturday
Paynesville Community market 2nd Sunday
Paynesville farmers market 4th Saturday
Bairnsdale Howitt Park market 4th Sunday
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from
AU$50
/ night
* Before taxes and fees
98%
(100)
Forge Creek Farm Stay
8 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents15 acres · Bairnsdale, VIC
Come and Enjoy country life for one night or more with beautiful views of Macleod Morass Wetlands. Lots of animals to enjoy, including cows, sheep, chickens and kangaroos. Lots of bird life.
7 Sites available for tents, caravans and camper trailers on a flat grassy area
with great views.
Campers are required to be self sufficient with their own toilet/shower facilities and must remove all rubbish.
FIRES MUST BE IN FIRE PITS ONLY.
Fire pits and firewood available on request at extra Cost
Please advise prior to arrival if required.
Farm Fresh Chicken Eggs (Bum Nuts) available.
Must abide by the currant fire restrictions.
Can provide a IBC water tank to your site with Tap outlet to connect to your van.
Pets welcome, dogs must be kept on lead. .
Only 5 minutes from town Centre, 15 min to Paynesville and 30 min to Lakes Entrance.
Lakes Entrance is located on the edge of Ninety Mile Beach where the Gippsland Lakes meets the Southern Ocean.
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from
AU$45
/ night
* Before taxes and fees
93%
(28)
Tambo Cottages - Camping Grounds
6 sites · RVs, Tents4 acres · Swan Reach, VIC
Tambo Cottages is offering 4 Acres of farmland (large paddock) within walking distance of the local shops, petrol station, restaurant/take away and pub. Only 6 groups of people at anyone time.
There is water available for use, but campers will need to be self-sufficient with their own camping toilet/shower. Campers will need to remove all waste and rubbish with them on departure.
We are conveniently located just under 30 minutes from both Bairnsdale and Lakes Entrance. Metung is only 8km away and they have just opened their new Hot Spring complex. There is so much to see and do in the surrounding area, explore the beautiful coastline, explore the Great Lakes, take a walk/ride through one of the coastal or regional parks or simply enjoy relaxing at your campsite.
Pets are welcome.
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Potable water
Campfires
from
AU$40
/ night
* Before taxes and fees
90%
(21)
Home among the Gumtrees
3 sites · RVs, Tents5 acres · Nyerimilang, VIC
We are a young family of 4 with space to share, pull up where you would like and stretch your legs with space to move among the trees and surrounded by farmland and let your kids play on the equipment pat the horses and sheep or take a 10min drive to Lakes Entrance or Metung
Or take a short stroll to the Nyerimilang heritage park with views of the Gippsland lakes
There are no toilet or showers at this stage
Pets
Campfires
from
AU$20
/ night
* Before taxes and fees
98%
(26)
Sarscany Olive Grove
3 sites · RVs, Tents20 acres · Sarsfield, VIC
This campsite is nestled between rows of olive trees. We're located close to Gippsland Lakes, 90 mile Beach, rivers, mountains and many other tourist attractions.
This campsite suits self-contained campers who bring their own camping toilet/shower. There is access to a drinking water supply.
If you're here during the olive harvest (late April early May) you can help pick and take home some boutique olive oil.
Enjoy the evenings relaxing by the campfire.
Fifteen minutes to Bairnsdale, 20 minutes to Metung and 25 minutes to Lakes Entrance for all your shopping and supply needs.
Potable water
Campfires
from
AU$25
/ night
* Before taxes and fees
85%
(10)
Clarke's Farm
1 site · RV, Tent165 acres · Lindenow South, VIC
A picturesque 165 acre rural property/hobby farm located 15 minutes from Bairnsdale in magical East Gippsland. We have a great mix of grassed fields, wooded fields, a large stocked dam and 80 acres of nature reserve full of trees and animals. The property has a large array of bird and wildlife perfect for bird and wildlife spotting. Some of our regular animals and birds are Kangaroos, Echidna's, Wombats, Ducks, Kookaburras, Cockatoos and heaps more.
The camp site consists of a large flat grassed area next to our dam. There are huge red gums hundreds of years old for some shade. The camp is private and yours only, however there is room for roughly three camps/caravans if you wish to bring your friends. There is firewood available on site and can be collected.
We have a stocked dam to camp next to which has yabbies, tortoise and australian bass. You're welcome to put a trap or line in, just save some for other people. The dam is swimmable so bring your pool toys. The the dam is fed from a solar powered bore so the water is always high.
We are pet friendly - dogs can be bought along and even kept off leash if they are well behaved. There are fields and tracks suitable for horse riding so you can bring your horses.
We are a small functioning farm with Cows and Calves regularly in some of our fields.
Pets
Campfires
from
AU$40
/ night
* Before taxes and fees
100%
(31)
Mt Alfred Camping and Horse Riding
1 site · RV, Tent110 acres · Flaggy Creek, VIC
The farm backs onto the Mt Alfred State Forest and is close to the beautiful Mitchell River National park. Mt Alfred is a fantastic forest with many great tracks to explore on horse back, mountain bike or on foot. Horses and dogs are welcome.
There is plenty of space on a large, grassy flat area for camping and parking.
There are paddocks for horses and a guide is available.
The farm and surrounding bush is an Owl habitat and the property has an amazing abundance of bird life.
It is just 25 minutes from Bairnsdale and the Gippsland lakes where you can explore the beautiful beaches and walking tracks.
There are shops available for basic supplies within 10 minutes.
We have a fire pit for you to light a campfire.
There is a drop toilet and shower.
Please take all rubbish with you on departure.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
Campfires
Showers
from
AU$45
/ night
* Before taxes and fees
63%
(15)
Paradise Beach Camping
1 site · RV, Tent1 acre · Paradise Beach, VIC
Come and set up camp for a few days on this private site at Paradise Beach.Campers will love the short walk to the beach, an established fire pit and access to (a small amount of) water from the provided tank. Please be economical with the water so there is enough left for everyone else.There is also a shelter shed which you are welcome to use to escape with wind, rain or sun. There is a cabin on the property which is not accessible.There are no facilities here, campers will need to be self sufficient and leave no trace. A short drive down the road you'll find a general store, a takeaway shop and great picnic areas.The property is located 3.5 hours east of Melbourne.Entry to the site is from a small driveway on the lower side of the property. Please keep all tents and vans within close proximity to the cabin to ensure you are within my properties boundary and there are no overlaps.The terrain is sandy, however it's very compact and suitable for most sedans, vans and average vehicles.
Potable water
Campfires
from
AU$25
/ night
* Before taxes and fees
100%
(8)
Grassvale Farm Retreat EST. 1900
5 sites · RVs, Tents250 acres · Wuk Wuk, VIC
We border the Mitchell river with the farm so there are about 1 km of secluded banks to sit or swim from if you want to just stay put.
For those wanting pure relaxation, meditation, and soul grounding. We can personally show you some tremendous places on the farm to go within. Pure solace is something that many take for granted. Use our pyramid to draw in Quantum/etheric energy, go to the top of our crystal hill and feel the energies. There is so much to be thankful for when you can release in these spaces. Alternatively sit amongst the cows and feel their energy surround you as their curious nature brings them in closer and closer until they relax around you.
Alternatively if you want to chill with a beer on the river bank and try for some bass, or watch the eastern water dragons play in the sun and water, then that’s a great way to unwind, or soak up the sun rays as it drops below the horizon on the crystal hill or rolling flood plains. A personal favourite of a campfire and a few drinks with the stars is a great way to unwind when you have so much space and privacy. The sites are located next to our rental lodge where we sometimes do retreats, or holiday let it as well. The privacy is wonderful if that's what you are looking for.
A walk each morning from one end of the farm where you will stay to the other and back is a leisurely 2kms so maybe that is your morning start, but walk the lanes and check the fences and cows while you're at it please 🙂, ticks a job for us while your relaxing.
Want to learn about the history of the area? Well a session with us will teach you everything didn't know about the Dargo High Plains, the mountain cattlemen of the high country and much more. Take advantage of your time to enjoy the history of the area and the wonderful past times enjoyed.
What is available off farm?
Number one, the pub with great counter meals is across the river, 5kms away. Lindenow Farmers Hotel is iconic in its design and history, the reputed Lindenow Long Paddock Cafe is also a few hundred metres from the pub, and the Post Office and Store have all your essentials. Need a few more things? Bairnsdale is 24kms away from the farm and offers all you need. Lakes Entrance is about 40 mins for a day out on the beach. Paynesville around 30 mins.
If you want to venture up into the mountains then why not go through Dargo just 45 mins and up onto Mt Hotham (Summer only) via the Dargo High Plains. It’s a great track and on occasions I take people up for a guided tour and secret camp spots on my yearly run up there for my own relax time.
East Gippsland in general is a wonderful region to stop and relax during all seasons but especially summer with the water activities available, the camping in the high country, and the markets that abound the area.
How do I get to be on this great farm?
Well I am glad you asked! Just contact us through this website!
Looking forward to meeting you and welcoming you onto our family farm of 124 years.
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from
AU$28
/ night
* Before taxes and fees
100%
(60)
Squatters Run farm
3 sites · RVs125 acres · Glenaladale, VIC
Squatters Run is a 123 acre working beef and lamb farm in the foothills of the Alpine National Park.
Approximately 25 acres is dense subtropical bushland with the picturesque Iguana creek running through it, making it great to explore or watch the local wildlife.
The camping area is surrounded by beautiful redbox trees, some dated to over 300 yrs old and has stunning views of the highcountry to the north and the Gippsland lakes in the south.
Ideally located it is 57kms to the iconic Dargo pub and just 75kms to Lakes Entrance.
Toilets
Campfires
from
AU$40
/ night
* Before taxes and fees
100%
(154)
Nowa Nowa Lakeside Farmlet.
3 sites · RVs, Tents10 acres · Nowa Nowa, VIC
Located on the picturesque Nowa Nowa arm of Lake Tyers. Our hobby farm offers 3 beautiful large campsites (1 van per site) only 20 metres from the waters edge.
OUR CAMPSITES DO NOT HAVE TOILET OR SHOWER
FACILITIES.
ALL WASTE AND RUBBISH MUST BE TAKEN WITH YOU ON DEPARTURE.
Pets are welcome. We have chickens and alpacas on the property so please ensure your pets are restrained and don't upset the other animals.
We have a fire pits for campers to relax around in the evenings. We can provide firewood for first night ($15) and additional firewood can be purchased from the general store (fundraiser for local CFA).
Generators are allowed but only for limited time to charge essential equipment. No generators are allowed to run non stop and not between 9pm and 9am. if you are going to use a generator please inform other campers.
Only a 5 minute walk to the NOWA NOWA GENERAL STORE/Post Office. You can get local fishing information from the friendly staff, stock up on fuel, groceries, wine/beer, fishing tackle, bait, fire wood and more without having to drive!
MINGLING WATERS CARAVAN PARK/Cafe is the place to go for top quality coffee, brekky, and their famous carrot cake and burgers, only a 5 minute walk (currently temporarily closed)
Opposite Mingling Waters is another 'must visit' while in Nowa Nowa.
THE DEPOT, HOME OF TEXTILES. Local honey and home made jams and biscuits. Espresso coffee and turmeric latte. Handcrafted textiles, jewellery and more (check Facebook for opening hours)
We are within easy reach of the EAST GIPPSLAND RAIL TRAIL which is popular for both bike riders and walkers. There are plenty of other great bushwalking tracks nearby as well.
The location is ideal for people who enjoy the outdoors, lake fishing, boating, bird watching, walking and cycling.
It's just a short drive to the beautiful seaside town of LAKES ENTRANCE where they have shops, cafes, restaurants, great fresh seafood and lovely beaches.
BRUTHEN is only a 20 minute drive. BRUTHEN HOTEL, Cafes, Antique shops, Galleries andthe BULL-ANT BREWERY are musts to check out!
The BUCHAN CAVES RESERVE is another short drive. Picnic spots, camping ground, walking tracks and a variety of flora and fauna, including koalas, over forty species of birds, kangaroos and currawongs. While in Buchan check out the famous BUCHAN PUB for a meal and a beer.
25 minute drive East and you are in ORBOST, a small East Gippsland town surrounded by national parks, forests and beaches.
Recharge at the town's cafes and bakeries, then visit galleries and see the historical Slab Hut, an original 1872 pioneer hut relocated from the upper Snowy River and now home to the tourist information centre. Renowned local brewers SAILORS GRAVE can be found in an old butter factory, where they produce an exciting range of craft beer.
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
from
AU$30
/ night
* Before taxes and fees
Star Hosts in Bairnsdale
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Camping near Bairnsdale guide
Overview
Bairnsdale is a small town on Victoria’s East Gippsland region on the eastern coast, around 280 kilometres (or 3.5 hours’ drive) east of Melbourne. Being on the banks of the Mitchell River and near the inland waterways of the Gippsland Lakes, it’s a popular spot for fishing, boating, surfing, and camping. Beach enthusiasts will love camping on the thin strip of land between the ocean and the lakes, parts of which are designated nature reserves and national parks, and campers seeking a forest escape can also find this at inland parks.
Where to go
Gippsland Lakes
The Gippsland Lakes are a series of lakes, backwaters, and waterways, many of which appear to be harbours except they’re separated from the sea by thin strips of land. The Lakes National Park and Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park, as well as other smaller reserves, cover some of the broader lakes area, and are havens for bird and wildlife-watchers, outdoor swimmers, walkers, and campers. Family-friendly Emu Bight Campground in the Lakes National Park offers unpowered sites for tents and caravans/campervans, and many other basic campsites are strung out along Shoreline Drive, between the ocean and the lakes.
Mitchell River National Park
The inland Mitchell River National Park is about 45 minutes’ drive north-west of Bairnsdale. Here travellers can hike through rainforest gullies along the two-day Mitchell River Walking Track, or discover local First Nations culture on shorter walks. Campers have a few options: there are basic walk-in campsites along the Mitchell River Walking Track, a couple of basic campsites with four-wheel-drive access only, and a couple of basic and more accessible sites with toilets, fireplaces, and picnic tables.
Lakes Entrance
About 30 minutes’ drive east of Bairnsdale, the smaller town of Lakes Entrance is on the end of Ninety Mile Beach, where the Gippsland Lakes meet the ocean, and offers somewhat easier access to beaches than from Bairnsdale. Campers can enjoy well-equipped holiday parks in and around Lakes Entrance, right beside the beach. Lakes Entrance is an especially appealing option for campers with caravans or campervans, as you can find powered sites here with easy access and good facilities.
When to go
The whole Gippsland Lakes region is especially busy during the summer–between November and February–as it’s an accessible camping area quite near Melbourne. To stay at a popular holiday park near Bairnsdale, book your site as far in advance as possible, especially during midsummer. You can also visit outside the summer, when you can still enjoy the natural attractions, but the climate will be cooler.
Top cities near Bairnsdale
Safety at Hipcamp
Hipcamp acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders past, present and future and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.