The best camping near Lake Eildon National Park

Nearly 230km northeast of Melbourne, Lake Eildon National Park is where families and regulars head to enjoy water-based activities, hikes and wildlife spotting. The star magnet is Lake Eildon, a massive lake where fishing and watersports—waterskiing, jet-skiing, and kayaking—are hugely popular. Visitors can also hike to lookouts and former gold prospectors’ settlements and spot kangaroos, wombats and parrots, or visit small, local townships such as Alexandra and Eildon. The park’s principal camping grounds are located around the lake and most have amenities including toilets, picnic areas, and BBQs (fire pits). All are accessible by road, except for a few remote bush camps to which you must hike or boat.

Notable campgrounds

• Best for families: Candlebark Campground (part of the Fraser Camping Area) has toilets, showers and gas BBQs. Good walking and cycling trails are nearby. A bushwalking track links Lakeside Camping Ground. Wombats, kangaroos and parrots visit frequently.
• Best for boats: Lakeside Campground (also part of Fraser Camping Area) has a boat ramp; this is one of the lake’s easiest access points to deeper water (note: the lake level can drop dramatically, and may be between 30 to 90 percent full at any given time).
• Best for nature: Candlebark Campground has walks galore, from between short 2km strolls to longer 10km hikes. You may spot kangaroos, wombats, kookaburras, and Eastern rosellas. Jerusalem Creek provides a wonderful bush camping experience. Real adventurers can hike into O’Toole Flat.

Tips for Snagging a Campsite Reservation

1. Booking is essential via the Parks Victoria website www.parks.vic.gov.au. For assistance call Parks Victoria on 131 963.
2. Reserve well ahead for summer (December and January), Easter, and Victorian school holidays, the busiest times of the year.

When to GoLake Eildon National Park is open all year. It’s busiest in late December to end January, during the summer months. Easter holidays draw big crowds, too. During these times, Lakeside can get a bit noisy with motors and celebrations revving high. Water levels tend to be highest from October to mid-December.

Know Before You Go

• Lake Eildon National Park is approximately three hours (229km) northeast of Melbourne. You can buy most supplies in Eildon township (note: camping gear is limited, however). Fires are permitted in the supplied fire pits only; campfires are prohibited.
• Bring your swimming costume for some great lake plunges! And don’t forget the fly repellant.
• There’s no shops in the park; it’s best to buy supplies at the nearby townships of Alexandra or Eildon.
• Dog and pets are not permitted (except for Jerusalem Creek, where dogs are allowed on a lead).
• Lake Eildon’s campgrounds don’t have wifi and limited mobile phone coverage only.
• Conditions can change regularly. Before visiting, refer to the condition report on the Parks Victoria website. This will cover current bushfires, floods, road closures etc.