The best camping near Brisbane Ranges National Park

Just a 1.5-hour drive from Melbourne CBD, the Brisbane Ranges National Park provides an idyllic escape from city life. Go bushwalking through rocky gullies and forested gorges, gaze out over sweeping foothills speckled with wildflowers, and spot kangaroos, birds, and koalas—the park has Victoria’s highest concentration of wild koalas. The three-day Burchell Trail is a highlight for hikers, while scenic drives and picnic areas are dotted throughout. Campers can choose between the park’s two campgrounds, both of which have pit toilets, tank water, and campsites suitable for tents, caravans, and camper trailers.

• Best for caravans: Fridays campground has ten unpowered sites (two suitable for camper trailers/caravans), with firepits and picnic tables at one of the Burchell trailheads.
• Best for nature lovers: Boar Gully Campground has seven unpowered sites (one suitable for camper trailers) close to the wildflower viewpoints.
• Best for backpackers: Burchell Trail Camping offers two hike-in bush campsites along the Burchell Trail, with pit toilets, BBQs, and tank water.

1. Advance bookings are required for all campgrounds, including the bushwalker-only sites along the Burchell Trail.
2. You can book online via the Parks Victoria website up to six months in advance. 
3. Campsites can book up fast during peak season (December-Feb), especially over weekends and school holidays. Book at least three months in advance to avoid disappointment.

Spring is the most scenic time to explore the national park, when colourful displays of wildflowers bloom throughout the mountain valleys. Summer temperatures can get hot for bushwalkers, so plan hikes for early in the day—the hours after sunrise or around dusk are typically the best time for wildlife watching, too.

• There are two entry points to Brisbane Ranges National Park—along Glenmore Road at the north of the park or along Granite Road at the south end of the park. The closest town is Meredith, where you’ll find a gas station, general store, and cafés.
• There is no admission fee for Brisbane Ranges National Park, but camping fees apply.
• Park facilities include toilets, picnic areas, and BBQs. Bring everything you need with you, including drinking water.
• Partial or total fire bans are often introduced during the summer months. The risk of bushfires is severe, so keep an eye on the park website and always follow the latest guidelines.
• There are accessible toilets, campsites, and picnic areas at the national park, and a TrailRider all-terrain wheelchair is also available (advance booking required).