Waterside camping near Warburton with fishing
This Yarra Valley getaway has vineyards, forest hikes, and waterfalls right on its doorstep.
Popular camping styles for Warburton
Waterside camping near Warburton with fishing guide
Overview
If you’re looking for an idyllic countryside escape from Melbourne, Warburton wants to throw its name in the hat. This pint-sized town on the Yarra River has plenty to offer campers, whether you prefer wine tasting in the Yarra Valley or hiking in the hills. The perfect weekend itinerary? Go bushwalking in the Redwoods forest, biking along the Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail, or tubing along the Yarra River, then head to the La La Falls picnic area or tour the Yarra Valley’s foodie hotspots. Time to camp? Check into an eco-cabin in the woods, a rural Hipcamp, or a state campground.
Where to go
Yarra Valley
Blanketed with Californian redwood and mountain ash, the forested hills of the Yarra Ranges National Park are a gigantic playground for outdoor adventurers. Match your activity with the season: hit the ski slopes at Mount Donna Buang, admire the wildflowers during a spring hike, or enjoy summer rock climbing at Ben Cairn. There are two first-come, first-served camping areas in the Yarra State Forest, both with unpowered sites, picnic tables, and firepits.
Dandenong Ranges
West of Warburton, the Dandenong Ranges are peppered with historic villages and tranquil camping spots. Mount Dandenong is the star attraction of the Dandenong Ranges National Park, where you can hike, mountain bike, or horseback ride through rolling hills and woodlands. Don’t miss a ride on the Puffing Billy Steam Train and the scenic walk to Olinda Falls.
Murrindindi
North of the Yarra Ranges, Marysville is a popular basecamp for exploring the mountain valleys, waterfalls, and sleepy villages of Murrindindi shire. Snag a lakeside campsite at Lake Eildon National Park and spend your time boating, waterskiing, and kayaking on the lake, camp at Rubicon Falls, or hike to remote bush camps in the Cathedral Range State Park.
When to go
Warburton is open for business through all four seasons, but campsites fill up during the peak summer months and over holiday weekends, so book ahead. Wildflowers pepper the Yarra Ranges in spring and summer, affording magnificent views for hikers, and the landscapes transform with colourful fall foliage through autumn. In winter, nearby Mt. Donna Buang is Melbourne’s closest winter sports destination.
