see also:

• camp grounds in Victoria
• non-commercial camp grounds for tents within 2 hours of Melbourne
• Yea region camp grounds
• walks near Kinglake
• Toolangi region
• https://www.greatforestnationalpark.com.au/murrindindi-scenic-reserve.html

• Murrindindi Scenic Reserve is a very popular camp ground for long weekends, public holidays and school holidays - although many of the camp grounds are not great for kids as there is little for them to do
• 260-340m elevation, and being inland, the nights are generally quite cold even in early Autumn or Spring
• firearms and pets are not permitted

• the fast flowing stream flows from the south northwards along this north-south oriented valley
• relatively tall trees surround each camp area reduces wind speed at ground level
• generally accessed from the north end as that gives the least amount of gravel roads to drive
• 1hr 40mins from NW subs via Yarra Glen and Glenburn;
• 1hr 50min from NW subs via Hume fwy, Broadford, Flowerdale;
• 32-34min NE of Kinglake
• 28km 25min Sth of Yea

• have a walk or dip in the fast flowing river at its wider and shallower spots (some wider areas are only about 1 foot deep max which makes walking around possible on the generally rounded but slippery rocks - bring neoprene boots to make it more pleasant)
• fishing
• bird watching - lots of birds in the forests near the camp sites including kookaburras, bower birds, fairy wrens, azure kingfisher (spotted at Ferns) and many others
• other nature activities - interesting insects such as stick insects can be found (easier when they land on your tent - bit hard to see them otherwise)
• walk to the cascading Wilhelmina water falls
  • 2-2.5hr return rather strenuous walk up to Lower and Upper Wilhelmina Falls with lots of steps and rocks with ~250m elevation (or you can drive to Jackson's carpark at the top but it is still a 2.5hr strenuous return hike)
  • 3hr 12km one way Murrundindi River walk - connects the various campgrounds
• camp fires
  • it seems generally you can collect firewood from fallen trees in the forest and you can use chainsaws
  • in peak periods, you may need to BYO firewood if you don't have a chain saw (eg. bag of wood from Bunnings before you depart, or from petrol stations in Yea or Mansfield)
• drive further south on the gravel road to Murrindindi Cascades
  • 500m walk down steps - quite impressive cascades when there is good water flow especially after rain but check for leaches when finished walk
  • can do a long 4-5hr one way walk to these cascades “along the river” from Suspension Bridge

• Yea wetlands
• Kerrisdale Mountain Railway steam train kids rides
  • https://www.facebook.com/kerrisdalemountainrailwayandmuseum2015/
• Wombelano Falls
  • ~35min drive then a short walk
• Cheviot Railway Tunnel
  • historic brick tunnel now used as part of the bicycle rail trail (~8km gravel road)
• The Village Green historic Hovell and Hume cricket ground
  • see https://www.villagegreen.com.au/about-us/
  • nice autumn drive and boutique accommodation
  • 45min drive via Glenburn, Flowerdale, Strath Creek
• Strath Creek Falls and Murchison Gap Lookout
  • ~1hr via Glenburn, Flowerdale, Strath Creek and Murchison Gap Lookout
  • nice autumn drive
• Great Victorian Rail Trail for bicycles
  • see https://www.railtrails.org.au/trails/great-victorian-rail-trail/
  • 134km long from Mansfield to Tallarook via Bonnie Doon, Yarck, Molesworth, Yea, Trawool (optional start or end at Alexandra)

• 100 camp sites in 6 areas;
  • flushing toilets are located at Suspension Bridge day area near the road, Ferns and Bull Creek campsites (which are the best sites for children as more open spaces for playing), the others have drop toilets but these do seem to be fairly well maintained
  • most of the sites have their own fireplace - hence the valley tends to be filled with smoke and dust from the gravel road traffic during peak periods
  • campgrounds have some picnic tables
  • adjacent to a stream but water needs to be boiled for drinking;
  • no dogs allowed - as with most streamside campgrounds, snakes are common (usually black snakes)
  • Testra 4G is only available at the Suspension Bridge area (Blackwood 1bar 4G if cloudy else 3G) - you may need to head back towards the main highway to get coverage
  • Optus is generally not available
  • sites have wire fences on 3 sides which helps to prevent over-crowding on a site by strangers and keeps each site more private by reducing foot traffic through the site by strangers
  • ranger drives through in peak periods

• the first camp ground and the most spacious one with large open areas for kids to play (especially if you get site 1) and great views of the night skies
• some minimal Telstra 4G reception (2023)
• flush toilets ONLY at the Day use entrance - remainder are drop toilets
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3u_TXcKJvfE

• drop toilets
• good amount of shade from tall eucalypts
• ~6 bollarded off relatively large sites so only for tents or campervans - often used for school or scout groups
• no mobile phone access
• can walk to Blackwood or SEC camp

• SEC camp is ~100m from car park - need to walk in but otherwise it is a nice camp ground
• drop toilets
• open spaces for kids to play
• no mobile phone access

• 30min drive south of Yea
• ~18 sites, many could fit two caravans or tents and this will probably be needed to accommodate groups in peak periods
• picnic area, drop toilets day car park, suspension bridge to access the walks
• mainly for adult groups as very little for children to do there - no areas for ball games, no internet, no mobile phone reception, and very dusty.
• sites are set amongst tall gums so very limited view of the night skies
• no mobile phone access
• the tall trees block much of the sun so your solar panels will struggle and your tents / awnings will take some time to dry out in the morning when packing up
• very dusty when busy as every site is adjacent a relatively busy gravel road and many are sandwiched between both the gravel roads (the main road and the camp ground access road)
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWHYF1GPAgM

• one pair of flush toilets
• no mobile phone access
• nice large camp ground with varied sites away from road dust
• ~50m walk to river

• 23 sites
• 2 sets of 6 flush toilets with non-potable tap water (one set is at the day area to the south)
• none of the sites are particularly close to the toilets
• no mobile phone access
• single site at the bridge on Bull Creek Rd at the south end of the day area - not sure if this is day use only
• tends to be more popular with trailbikers
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McypIvfzEBc

• small very remote camp amongst tall eucalypt forest recovering from fire, not part of the reserve but is further down south near Toolangi
• drop toilets
• no mobile phone access
• only for 1 small tent or a campervan

• The Gums campground near Kinglake
  • bookings via Parks Vic
  • wet rainforest camp site
  • 21min 24km via Glenburn
• Toolangi Recreation Reserve
  • 27min, 34km for overnight stays but may have sports activities on weekends (if summer cricket is on, need to wait until after 6.30pm for access); donation;
  • http://robbiebago.blogspot.com/2013/02/toolangi-recreational-reserve-camping.html
• Trawool area
  • Flat Rock, Tallarook
    • ~1hr via Yea and Tallarook
• campgrounds in Mt Disappointment / Clonbinane region
  • Number One camp is ~1hr via Flowerdale and Strath Creek
• Longwood Recreation Reserve camp ground
  • 1hr 15min via Yea, Molesworth (or a touch longer via Yea, Seymour)
• campgrounds in Rubicon valley
  • ~1hr via Yea and Alexandra
• Cathedral Ranges Neds Gully or Cooks Mill
  • parks Vic booking
  • ~1hr via Yea
• Candlebark, Lake Eildon
  • parks Vic booking
  • ~1hr via Yea and Alexandra
• Jerusalem Creek, lake Eildon
  • parks Vic booking
  • ~1hr 15min via Yea, Alexandra, Eildon
• Horseshoe Bend and adjacent camp grounds near Taponga River midway between Eildon and Jamieson
  • ~1hr 40min via Yea, Alexandra, Eildon (~45min windy mountain forest bitumen road from Eildon or from Jamieson)
• see also Mansfield region campgrounds
  • Howqua Hills / Sheepyard Flats camping area
    • ~2hrs via Yea and Mansfield
  • Delatite Arm campgrounds Lake Eildon
    • ~1.5hrs via Yea and Mansfield
  • Jamieson region camp grounds
    • just under 2hrs via Yea, Mansfield and Jamieson

• Yea Rock (just off Black Range Rd)
  • 860m elevation; 32-37min (18-22km) from Ferns Camp via Falls Creek Rd on gravel road (not for caravans!)
  • elevated campsite with views although forest re-growth may alter this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvdKK9pfHG4
  • granite boulder - no pegs possible