Ayson's Reserve Camping Ground

Introduction

large (could fit over 100 unmarked sites) free generally flat and treed camp ground along the Campaspe River suitable for tents and all vehicle types
small boat ramp
flush toilets but BYO toilet paper and drinking water
no potable water
camp fires allowed pending CFA restrictions
can go swimming or laze on an inflatable on hot days
fairly wide river with generally slow currents so good for kayaking and small boats but lots of submerged fallen trees

maximum stay 3 days - but can get a permit for up to 14 days
do not camp on the river side of the bollards - you are likely to get fined
- an unmarked contractor drives around taking photos for evidence!
ground can be very hard - you may need a sledge hammer for pegs and a claw hammer to get them out again!
subject to flooding!

just under 2hrs drive from NW suburbs of Melbourne
close to nearby towns of:
- Elmore - nice hotel for meals; bakery
- Rochester - painted silos; IGA grocery;
good spot to explore gold rush areas of:
- Heathcote - nice wineries, great bakery - Gaffney's bakery; heritage walks;
- Rushworth and Whroo Balaclava gold mine
not far from Echuca and the Murray River
nearby non-commercial camp grounds
- Greens Lake Recreation Reserve campground
  - 2hrs from NW suburbs; near Rochester and also near Aysons Reserve camp ground (no showers)
  - can have lots of toxic masculinity and large dogs
  - hot showers can be too hot!
- English's Bridge campground
  - further south on the Campaspe River
  - no toilets; dry weather road only;
- Dargile
  - near Heathcote
- Green's camp near Whroo gold mine
  - 7 camp sites; drop toilets; ground is hard to peg; nice walks; can be dusty;
- Whipstick
  - north of Bendigo
- Murray River camp areas
  - Will's Bech
  - Benarca campgrounds
  - Betts beach
  - see Echuca and surrounds
nearby commercial campgrounds
- Rochester Riverside Holiday Park
- Rochester Caravan Park
- Miner's Pick Caravan Park, Rushworth
- Heathcote Queen Meadow Caravan Park
- Lake Eppalock caravan parks
- see also Echuca and surrounds

source is in the Wombat State Forest on the northern aspect of Lerderderg and just south of Firth Park
it then flows to Lake Eppalock via Carlsruhe, Kyneton, Turpins Falls, Barfold, and Redesdale
the Coliban River (arises south of Lyonville) also feeds into Lake Eppalock via Trenthan Falls, Lauriston, Malmsbury, Taradale, Metcalfe
flow of the northern parts arises from outflow of Lake Eppalock
runs northwards through Elmore then to Aysons, then Rochester then to Echuca where it feeds into the Murray River
in the 2022 floods it formed a 10km wide flood zone around Rochester flooding most of the shops and houses