see also:

• Jamieson region camp grounds
• Mansfield region campgrounds
• non-commercial camp grounds for tents 2-4 hours from Melbourne
• non-commercial camp grounds for tents more than 4 hours from Melbourne
• camp fires and fire restrictions
• photography and camping main index page

• a very popular area for campers, boating, jet skiers and fishing on the east side of Lake Eildon
• its distance from Melbourne means you are more likely to get a camp site in peak times compared to closer camp grounds
• lots of camp grounds are on the eastern bank of the Delatite Arm which protrudes as a peninsula into Lake Eildon
• variable mobile phone reception - some have 4G when very few campers but soon drops to 3G
• no bookings, first in first served
• the more distant ones may require 4WD access in wet weather
• most have drop toilets but no showers

• just under 3hrs drive from NW suburbs of Melbourne via Hume Freeway to Broadford then to Mansfield and then turn south to Piries and then to Goughs Bay
• avoid the Howes Creek - Goughs Bay Rd - that is a gravel road and unnecessary!

• Goughs Bay
  • 8km, 10min from Blue Gums
  • small town on Lake Eildon
  • general store, cafe, commercial caravan park, boat ramp, public long drop toilets at the scenic lookout near the caravan park
  • nearby Brack's Bridge day visitor area on the Delatite River is very nice for kids to paddle in and adults to have a swim on a hot day
  • cafe and maze - entry fee
• Piries:
  • 15km, 15min from Blue Gums
  • on a bend of the Delatite River and the main road back to Mansfield
  • no facilities
• Howqua Inlet and Macs Cove:
  • 28km, 25min from Blue Gums
  • small villages on Howqua River section of Lake Eildon
  • no amenities apart from river access and a commercial caravan park
• Mansfield
  • 28km 26min drive from Blue Gums
  • major regional town which services the snow fields of Mt Buller
• Jamieson
  • 39km 34min drive from Blue Gums
  • very small General Store with fast foods and sandwiches;
  • cafe, hotel
  • flush toilets in public area
  • very nice day area along the river plus a commercial caravan park
  • small rural town
  • two nice free camp sites just south of jamieson on bitumen road - Skipworth and the smaller Doctor's Creek, both have lovely river access for paddling in
  • a nice free camp ground to the east on the Jamieson-Licola Rd - Granny's Flat - but gravel road with rather difficult track for caravans and it is closed over winter, usually opening on the Thursday of the Melb Cup long weekend

• 26km from Mansfield 1st site; a long way from water edge;
• see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvWO10UIGzY

• 2nd camp; steep and reedy water access;
• see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mpMzbXQOpw

• 3rd camp site; large grassy site but waterfront is a long way if water levels are low and cannot camp below high water mark.
• has a lovely ambience with its flooded gums in the lake when it is at high water level, lemon scented gums and myriad of bird sounds but can be a bit boring as no walking trails and not the best for boaters
• good for larger groups and bird watchers
  • king parrots who are too friendly, bower birds, groups of white winged choughs visit the campfire area at sunset, magpies, wattle birds, smaller finches many others - at least 20 different bird sounds - especiall just before dawn and variably throughout the day
• see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_-qhUC_tM4

• 4th site; closer to water hence more popular, but less grass than Blue Gum Flat
• perhaps the most further camp on this gravel road for a 2WD in wet conditions
• see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03sXOCG47Nw

• most grassy site and with nice trees; 5th site; 29km from Mansfield; 4 firepits; steep access point to water with lots of small trees;
• see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXyQZN1YCnc

• 6th campsite; need to get near the water for flat ground;
• see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YzPrdHCsTA

• not great, too close to road; need 4WD to get down steep road to water;
• see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6HzUsvQAfk

• 3hrs from NW subs; 33km from Mansfield; 8th campsite along the arm;
• NB. Google maps has Cullitons in the wrong spot!
• see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwzxmS60Q1g

• one of the larger sites great for kids

• these tend to be the main ones that those with boats and jet skis go to as the water is more open with less flooded trees
• much less road dust as less traffic the further you go, but it does add 20-60min drive on gravel roads to get to them

• distances are from Blue Gum Flat campground

• https://www.mansfieldmtbuller.com.au/camping/

• Tolmie Recreation Reserve
  • 37min from Blue Gum Flat
  • 2hr 40min from NW suburbs; 19min NE of Mansfield; camp kitchen; local pub open on weekends;
• Carter's Mill Picnic Area and nearby camp ground
  • 39min from Blue Gum Flat
  • 30km east of Mansfield; 26km, 37min from Sheepyard Flats just off the Mt Buller Rd
  • 602m elevation; alongside a river; pit toilet; fire pits, picnic tables but none of the sites are level
  • usually cold and constantly damp with minimal sun in winter months through to Oct
  • https://www.ffm.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0012/26220/FS0029-Carters-Mill-Camping-and-Picnic-Area.pdf
  • 7km return walk to Plain Creek Waterfall

• Howqua Hills / Sheepyard Flats camping area
  • 1hr from Blue Gum Flat
  • 25min very large and very popular free camping area on the Howqua River;
  • windy gravel road to access but still suitable for vans
  • Historic Walk from Sheepyard Flat to Fry’s Hut

• Running Creek Camping Reserve
  • 38min from Blue Gum Flat
  • popular with anglers, paddlers and campers. There are two walking tracks that start here and end at Tobacco Flat, approximately 12 kms upstream.
  • located on the Howqua River and accessed via Howqua River Road

• Craig's Hut Mt Stirling
  • 1.5hrs from Blue Gum Flat
  • needs 4WD to access, or a 45min uphill hike from the circuit road (road closed in Winter)
• Upper Howqua campground:
  • 2hrs from Blue Gum Flat
• Flat Spur campground:
  • 2WD accessible from east (but 4WD needed from west from Bindaree Hut)
  • large horse yard
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXpxzAd46h4
• Bindaree Hut campground
  • 2hrs from Blue Gum Flat
  • access from Bindaree Rd off the Circuit Rd
  • needs shallow river crossing and 4WD to access
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yAhW83dKEI

• see also: Jamieson region camp grounds

• Granny’s Flat Camping Area
  • 45min from Blue Gum Flat
  • 4WD needed in wet weather; camp site and road closed in snow season;
  • access road is difficult for caravans but may be possible in dry weather
  • Great river frontages with campers tubing down the river; well maintained; fire pits;
• Gallows
  • 49min from Blue Gum Flat
• The River Inn
  • 1.5hrs from Blue Gum Flat
• Wrens Flat
  • 1.5hrs from Blue Gum Flat

• Connors Plain campsite
  • 2.3hrs from Blue Gum Flat

• Doctor's Creek
  • just south of Jamieson on bitumen
  • small but nice site on the river, fire pits, drop toilets,
• Skipworth Reserve
  • 40min from Blue Gum Flat, 8 minutes from Jamieson on bitumen
  • nice large site, firepits, drop toilets, water, rosellas and king parrots hand feed;
• Flourbag Reserve
  • 52min from Blue Gum Flat
• Tunnel Bend
  • 54min from Blue Gum Flat
• Blue Hole Reserve
  • 58min from Blue Gum Flat
• Snakes Reserve
  • 62min from Blue Gum Flat
• CC Campsite
• Knockwood Reserve
  • 64min from Blue Gum Flat

• for the camping/hiking travelers, Licola is just over 2.5hrs alpine drive via Jamieson
  • Licola opens up a whole range of fantastic camping and hiking options as well as access south to Gippsland
• for the 4WDers with plenty of time on their hands, one could drive south on gravel roads to historic Walhalla which will take 3.5hrs