Newbridge Recreation Reserve camp ground

see also:

Currently CLOSED due to flood repair works (March 2023)
- see https://www.loddon.vic.gov.au/For-residents/Business-Directory/Newbridge-Recreation-Reserve-Camping

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” which is also on the Loddon but only bush camping!

Introduction

an awesome camp ground along the Loddon River and adjacent to the football ground and tennis courts
$15/n payable at the hotel 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
1.5hrs drive from NW suburbs of Melbourne
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
close driving distance to historic gold mining towns and sites