Cooks Mill Camping Area

Cooks Mill Camping Area

Cooks Mill Camping Area

Cooks Mill Camping Area

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    Cooks Mill Camping Area

    Tucked away next to the Little River on the site of an old timber mill, Cooks Mill Camping Area is shaded by Peppermint, Blackwood and Red Stringybark gum trees.
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    Cooks Mill Camping Area sits on the site of an old sawmill that operated in the 1940s to 1950s. Explore the nearby Heritage Site or meander through Manna Gum forest along The Friends Nature Trail or Little River Walk where you might spot a koala snoozing above.

    Fit hikers can try one of the harder walks to the peaks of the North or South Jawbone for unforgettable views over the Cathedral Range. There is also great rock climbing at nearby North Jawbone, South Jawbone and Sugarloaf Peak.

    Individual campsites cannot be reserved, please select your campsite within the campground on arrival. Sites are not marked but are large enough for tents, with a limited area suitable for camper trailers, campervans, and caravans.

    Advanced bookings and payment are required year-round.

    Campground features include with non-flush toilets, picnic tables, shelter and communal fireplaces.

    Things To Do

    Easy walks for families - The Friends Nature Walk, Little River Walk, Messmate Walk, St Bernards Track

    Short steep walks - Neds Gully Track, Neds Peak Track, Cathedral Peak Walk, Little Cathedral Track, Jawbone Creek Track

    More challenging hikes - Cathedral Range Circuit Walk, Cathedral Range Northern Circuit Walk, Cathedral Range Southern Circuit Walk, South Jawbone Peak Walk, North Jawbone Peak Walk, Razorback Track. The Canyon Track and Wells Cave Track are not recommended for children, or anyone with a fear of heights and exposed cliffs.

    A 10 year-old girl and her grandmother walk through the lush green valley next to Little River.

    Friends Nature Trail

    Suitable for families, this gentle 2km one-hour circuit walk is a great alternative to the more strenuous walks up on the Range. Crossing footbridges over Storm Creek and Little River, and passing the old sawmill, the trail is a fantastic place to take in the sights, sounds and smells of a Manna Gum forest. To access the walk, follow the signs from Cooks Mill campground.
    A mother and young daughter walk across Sugarloaf Saddle in magnifficent panoramic views either side of them.

    Razorback Trail

    This track links The Farmyard to Sugarloaf Peak. It crosses exposed rocky outcrops. Look for the markers to help you keep to the track This walk is rated hard with an expected duration of two hours.
    A woman in a purple shirt scrambles up through rocky terrain along the path.

    Sugarloaf Saddle

    Park information, picnic ground, parking and toilets are available at Sugarloaf Saddle, which is the starting point for walks such as Canyon Track and Wells Cave Track.

    Wells Cave Track

    Climb through open eucalypt forest via Wells Cave Walk, before scrambling through Wells Caves and rock-climbing to the highest point on the Range. Stand atop Sugarloaf Peak (920m) and see the rugged ridge of Cathedral Range stretch out before you.

    How to get there

    Cooks Mill Camping Area

    From Melbourne follow the Maroondah Highway to Buxton. Continue past Buxton for 9.5km and turn right into Cathedral Lane to find the park entrance 2.5km on your right.

    Continue past Neds Gully and Cooks Mill Camping Area is located at the start of Lowerson Track off Little River Road just before it crosses the river.

    Cooks Mill Camping Area

    Facilities

    Toilets

    Sites

    When you're there

    Download the Cathedral Range State Park visitor guide for more information about the park and the plethora of experiences to be had within its borders.

    Cathedral Range State Park is in the North Central fire district. Bushfire safety is a personal responsibility. Anyone entering parks and forests during the bushfire season needs to stay aware of forecast weather conditions.

    Check the Fire Danger Rating and for days of Total Fire Ban in the ‘Prepare and Get Ready’ tab at emergency.vic.gov.au, on the VicEmergency smartphone app or call the VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226.

    Camping & accommodation

    Tucked away next to the Little River on the site of an old timber mill, Cooks Mill Camping Area is shaded by Peppermint, Blackwood and Red Stringybark gum trees.
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    Need to know

    Cooks Mill Camping Area

    Accessibility

    Visiting a park can be more of a challenge for people with disabilities, however in Victoria there are a wide range of facilities to help people of all abilities enjoy our wonderful parks around the state.

    Change of Conditions

    Nature being nature, sometimes conditions can change at short notice. It’s a good idea to check this page ahead of your visit for any updates.

    • Notices Affecting Multiple Parks

      Seasonal road closures 2022

      Some roads in this park are subject to seasonal road closures. Seasonal road closures generally operate from after the long weekend in June through to the end of October, but may be extended due to seasonal conditions. Visit the seasonal road closures page for maps and more information.

    Similar experiences

     

    Neds Gully Camping Area

    The camping area is located by crossing the bridge off Little River Road towards Neds Gully Track. The campground is situated 50 meters from the car park.
    A woman leads her partner across the Razorback track surrounded by stunning views of the Rubicon Valley.

    The Farmyard

    This campground is accessible to hikers only. It is located off the unsealed Razorback Ridge Track at the base of South Jawbone Peak.
    Two hikers reach the summit of Mount Nelse at Bogong High Plains
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