Victoria's Great Outdoors

Overview

The Victorian Government is investing $106.6 million over four years in Victoria’s Great Outdoors, making it easier for more Victorians to enjoy the great outdoors with cheaper camping fees, new camping grounds, 4WD tracks and walking trails.

The Great Outdoors package will help more Victorians, from all walks of life, get out and explore the great outdoors and feel the health benefits of spending time in nature. Learn more about the funding package.

This exciting project is being delivered in partnership between Parks Victoria and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning. We’re working together with Traditional Owners, local communities and stakeholders to make sure we’re getting it right. Sign-up to get the latest email updates on the project.

Volunteering

We are creating new volunteer opportunities to continue growing environmental volunteering as well as attracting a greater diversity of people volunteering in parks and forests.

Learn more about the new Volunteering Innovation Fund that encourages innovation and inspires more Victorians to volunteer for nature.

Camping

We are building over 30 new campgrounds and upgrading 30 existing campgrounds. These will be spread across the state and are based on areas where attention is needed most.

Works completed

Great Otways National Park: Allanvale, and Big Hill on Eastern Maar Country and Hammonds on Wadawurrung Country. These popular summer camping areas have been recreated and can now be booked online. Campers can now enjoy more defined campsites, new picnic tables and BBQs as well as a more peaceful visit thanks to better managed visitor numbers.
French Island Fairhaven. Located in Westernport Bay on Bunurong Country, this hike-in campsite on French Island is in a bush setting 5km from the ferry terminal at Tankerton. Recent upgrades have improved the camping area by creating better access to the beach, clearly marking campsites, and improving signs.
Neds Gully Suspension Bridge. Cathedral Range State Park’s popular Ned’s Gully camping area on Taungurung Country open for visitors once more via a new suspension bridge. The Ned’s Gully camping area is the starting point for walking tracks in the northern half of Cathedral Range State Park so visitors can now enjoy more walking options and improved access to these scenic walks.

Book now to stay any of these upgraded sites.

Work underway

Work is already underway to upgrade the camping offering at several much-loved places across the state including:

Wonnangatta camping area in the Alpine National Park on Gunaikurnai Country. The centre piece of the Wonnangatta Iconic Drive, the Wonnangatta camping area is a key destination for four wheel drive tourers, where upgrades are planned to improve the site layout, replace and refresh existing toilets, install fire rings and picnic tables, and improve signage.
Talbotville camping area in the Alpine National Park on Gunaikurnai Country. This popular site lies along the Wonnangatta Iconic Drive and upgrades will include a new toilet, new fire rings, picnic tables and improved signage.
Horseyard Flat camping area in the Alpine National Park on Gunaikurnai Country. Another popular site along the Wonnangatta Iconic Drive which will see construction of a new toilet and other upgrades to improve camping and access within the site.
Bunyip State Park. This beautiful park provides a unique camping experience close to Melbourne. To add to the existing camping offering, the Dyers Picnic Area will be upgraded to include a camping area with upgraded picnic tables and new fire places.
Peachtree Creek Campground adjacent to Croajingolong National Park. Planned upgrades include a new toilet and other amenities, improvements to vehicle and walking access and site layout, and new signage.

Upcoming camping area improvements

Between now and the end of 2023 campers can look forward to an improved camping experience at:

Camerons Bend Campground in Warby Ovens National Park, on Yorta Yorta country. Upgrades will better define campsites, provide signage, and make sure that all visitors canoeing can easily access the Lower Ovens Canoe Trail.
Wills Bend Campground on Yorta Yorta country. This Murray River campsite will provide a more accessible riverside bush camping experience with upgraded facilities and will clearly define camping areas to protect environmental and cultural values.
Lake Boort Wildlife Reserve on Dja Dja Wurrung Country. A new campground will be designed and developed with Traditional Owners.
Tidal River camping area at Wilsons Promontory National Park. Upgrades at Tidal River will include the construction of a new contemporary amenities block in the visitor centre precinct that includes a ‘Changing Places’ facility which will vastly improve visitor facilities and all abilities access and services here. Works will also include replacing the Tidal River Footbridge that connects visitors to many of their favourite Prom walks.
Lower Glenelg National Park on Gunditjmara Country. Upgrades at Glenelg will include infrastructure improvements such as campsites, toilet blocks and canoe launchers to make Lower Glenelg National Park more accessible for more people. Community consultation will help plan this upgrade, and interested people can register for updates and to have a say when consultation is open. If you are interested in having a say, please sign up for updates.
Lake Elizabeth Campground on Eastern Maar Country in Great Otway National Park. This camping area will be improved with better drainage, refreshed camp pads, improved carparking and new shelter.