Candlebark, Devil Cove, and Lakeside Campgrounds are currently closed to camping, day visitors, vehicles, and boats (launching/retrieval). This is because of water service and associated critical infrastructure failure.

Boat launching is available from the main boat ramp, next to Herb Fitzroy Day Visitor Area.

For camping bookings, a ‘pre-queue’ will open at 10:20am (AEDT) on Wednesday 6 December. If you join the pre-queue before 11am, the system will randomly allocate entry from the pre-queue into the Virtual Waiting Room at 11am. People who join from 11am will join the end of the queue in the Virtual Waiting Room after those in the pre-queue. You’ll be able to see how long the estimated wait time is and your place in the queue. This allows us to manage the booking system during periods of high demand.

Lake Eildon camping open for summer

Information released Wednesday 22 November, 2023

Three popular campgrounds at beautiful Lake Eildon on Taungurung Country will be open this summer school holidays.

The three Fraser Block campgrounds – Devil Cove, Candlebark and Lakeside – are nestled on the shores of the lake and have played host to generations of campers.

Recent water supply issues saw all three campgrounds closed over the winter – but Parks Victoria will be temporarily reopening with reduced services for the summer school holidays.

Around 100 sites will be available to book at the three campgrounds from 6 December, for dates from 20 December – 30 January.

We’re really happy to reopen the campgrounds for the busy summer season, but there will be less sites than normal, and less facilities.” Parks Victoria Ranger Team Leader Jane Lloyd says.

“If you’re planning to come to Lake Eildon, please be aware some of the facilities will be closed, like the hot showers and barbecues at Lakeside Campground.

Both Candlebark and Devil Cove campgrounds will have their showers and toilets open.

Rangers monitor how things go closely and if there are any issues with the water supply we’ll let everyone know as quickly as possible,” says Jane Lloyd.

Campers at Lake Eildon can enjoy a whole world of watersports in a spectacular setting. Families can go swimming, canoeing, waterskiing, sailing and fishing in the shadow of the Victorian Alps, and enjoy bushwalking or cycling along a network of trails.

The campgrounds share the picture-perfect surroundings with kangaroos, wombats and a huge variety of beautiful birds. The Lake Eildon National Park is also an important home for a number of significant species including large forest owls (Powerful and Barking Owls), bats and the endangered Spotted Tree-frog and Brush-tailed Phascogale.

For more information about how to book camping at Lake Eildon visit our Booking Information page.

What’s the problem? 

Often called the Fraser Block, the three campgrounds – Lakeside, Devil Cove and Candlebark – are immensely popular with visitors to Lake Eildon. In their prime they offered easy access to the lake, with facilities like hot showers, drinking water, free gas barbecues, shelters and picnic areas.

Unfortunately, in recent times the campgrounds have begun to show their age, and last autumn the water system failed. Significant leaks were found which, if not managed appropriately, could impact on the water supply for visitors and campers in the park.

What’s the plan? 

Parks Victoria has funding from the Victoria’s Great Outdoors program to redevelop campgrounds in the Fraser Block so they don’t have to be closed again. This will mean installing water tanks and new plumbing connections at each campsite.  These works will be subject to approvals, material and contractor availability.

Parks Victoria expects to have more details about the long-term works at Fraser Block in the new year.