this camp ground on the banks of the Loddon River is subject to major flooding events from upstream heavy rainfall events
The Loddon flows from the Great Dividing Range in the south to the Murray River in the north of Victoria, with three main storages located on the Loddon River: Cairn Curran, Tullaroop and Laanecoorie reservoirs.
water can rise rapidly overnight at Newbridge as occurred 8th Oct 2022 which caught rooftop tent campers by surprise as levels went from below 2m depth the previous day to around 6m depth within about 10hrs from the start of the rise, and water up to almost the roof of their 4WD requiring the campers to be air lifted by helicopter.
water generally takes 6 hours to peak after a major release from the upstream Laanecoorie Reservoir which is ~10km away
the flood of Jan 2011 reached 7.5m and inundated the camp ground and the recreation reserve and impacted local buildings
in addition, there are high chances of isolation and access to surrounding towns being cut off
a major flood level at Newbridge equates with a level of over 5.5 metres on the gauge named “Loddon River downstream Laanecoorie”
a moderate flood level of over 3.5-4m at this gauge is likely to impact the camp ground
Do not confuse with “Newbridge Camping and Public Recreation Reserve” on Google which is also on the Loddon but only bush camping!
Introduction
a nice, large camp ground along the Loddon River and adjacent to the football ground and tennis courts
apparently now $25/n per site1)2) (was $15 in 2025) payable at the general store, the pub, or the ranger who comes by in the morning or evening
flush toilets and hot showers in the sports pavilion
AC power in the disabled toilets
can set tent or van up adjacent the river and throw a line in
most sites have camp fires
flocks of galahs can be noisy just before sunrise
alcohol not permitted on game days
easy walking distance to the pub or general store
minimal if any mobile reception - generally 3G with Telstra, perhaps better with Optus or close to the pub
can fish from your camp site
close driving distance to historic gold mining towns and sites (see below)
highly recommended
however, the many cockatoos or galahs which roost in the trees are VERY LOUD and RAUCUS but thankfully sleep most of the night
Getting there
easy 1.5hrs drive from NW suburbs of Melbourne
30min (38km) W of Bendigo
Newbridge town facilities
the small town is a short easy walk
pub has excellent Telstra internet reception (but this is only 1 bar 4G at best at camp ground - usually 3G only) and reasonable meals
“General Store” is mainly fast food cafe with minimal goods
EV car power station at the public toilets opposite the general store
Nearby camp grounds
9min (10km) SW to Tarnagulla Recreation Reserve (coin hot showers but 30day max stay so likely to have permanents)
historic gold miners Waanyarra cemetery and campground plus a short circuit to the relics of the old Morton Hotel
Tarnagulla
longer SW circuit drive can extend to:
relics of the Grand Duke gold mine (south of Dunolly)
Maryborough:
fantastic massive train station (has a very busy cafe as well)
consider side trips to the old gold mining towns to the south, of Talbot and the “ghost town” of Majorca
to the NW of Talbot is a nice bushwalk area with the only remaining large quartz outcrop or quartz blow - a 6m high slab of quartz on “quartz mountain” or “Amherst reef” which was not found to be profitable for gold - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4g5qElPsm-M
Tunnel Hill bushland reserve just west of Talbot
Carisbrook
historic police cell is worth a look
Laanecoorie - reservoir and a camp ground
consider a SE circuit drive:
Maldon historic gold mining town, cafes, pubs, old gold mines
Castlemaine - antiques, old prison, relics of gold mines, lots of short walks
Newstead
optionally check out Welshmans Reef caravan park on Cairn Curran Reservoir
optionally had W to join the above SW circuit at Carisbrook