BBQ
The Maryborough region hosts a great collection of free campgrounds! I know I'm always on the lookout for free campgrounds near me, so I thought I'd put together this handy list.
Whether you're looking to explore historical sites, head out gold prospecting, or settle in for a few days fishing and swimming, the following list is sure to inspire your next weekend away!
Paddys ranges campground
- Distance from Maryborough: 12 mins
- Location: Adelaide Lead
- Facilities: Tables, fire pits, wood fire barbecues, information sign, walking tracks, toilets
- Things to do: Bushwalking, spot wildflowers in spring, gold prospecting (designated areas only)
- Dogs allowed: No
Paddys Ranges Campground is located within Paddys Ranges State Park, a beautiful Box-Ironbark forest which has over 230 species of wildflowers (including around 30 types of orchids) and over 140 native bird species.
The large campground includes multiple picnic tables, fire pits and wood fire BBQs, an information shelter, and a toilet block.
19th century chinese baths
- Distance from Maryborough: 18 mins
- Location: Amherst
- Facilities: None, single makeshift firepit
- Things to do: Bushwalking, gold prospecting, explore historic site
- Dogs allowed: Yes
These fascinating baths were carved into the ground by Chinese miners during the 19th century and are still clearly visible today.
This is believed to be the site of the original Chinese joss and bath house. One of the baths is well finished with smooth, hard edges, and the other is a much more basic excavation in the ground.
The area is excellent for bushwalking and popular for gold prospecting. Alongside the Chinese baths is a large, clear area which is great for bush camping.
There is a makeshift brick fire pit in the centre of the clearing, but no other facilities are present.
Lions Club Park
- Distance from Maryborough: 23 mins
- Location: Avoca
- Facilities: Playground, undercover area, electric barbecue, picnic tables, water tap, walking track, toilets
- Things to do: Swimming, fishing, walking
- Dogs allowed: Yes
The Lions Club Park in Avoca is located on the bank of the Avoca River, and is a great spot for camping, barbecues and picnics.
The camping area is a large, clear, flat area between the barbecue/playground and the creek, and offers easy access for caravans.
Visitors can also take a leisurely stroll along the Avoca River Nature Trail, which begins at this park and loops around the parklands alongside the river.
Hamiltons Crossing
- Distance from Maryborough: 24 mins
- Location: Baringhup West
- Facilities: Fire pits, wood fire barbecues
- Things to do: Swimming, fishing
- Dogs allowed: Yes
This free camping area sits along the banks of the beautiful Loddon River in Baringhup West, Victoria.
Multiple campsites offer plenty of room for both tents and caravans.
Have a swim or relax on the banks with a fishing rod while you enjoy the serene atmosphere of this peaceful bushland area.
Stoney Creek Track Campground
- Distance from Maryborough: 24 mins
- Location: Stony Creek
- Facilities: Picnic table, fire pit, wood fire barbecue
- Things to do: Bushwalking, gold prospecting
- Dogs allowed: No
The Stoney Creek Track Campground is located within the Caralulup Nature Conservation Reserve, a large area of bushland between Talbot, Caralulup and Stony Creek.
The campground is located alongside Stoney Creek Track, where a fenced area contains a picnic table and wood fire barbecue. There is a dam located behind the camping area.
Laanecoorie River Recreation Reserve
- Distance from Maryborough: 25 mins
- Location: Laanecoorie
- Facilities: Picnic tables, fire pits, wood fire barbecues, walking tracks, information signs, boat ramp, canoe/kayak launching ramp, water taps, toilets.
- Things to do: Swimming, fishing, boating, walking.
- Dogs allowed: Yes
The Laanecoorie River Recreation Reserve is a fantastic campground along the Loddon River in the quiet town of Laanecoorie.
The campground has plenty of space, a designated tent area, and lots of room for caravans/motorhomes.
The campground is set along a gravel road which travels alongside the beautiful Loddon River.
Butts Reserve
- Distance from Maryborough: 28 mins
- Location: Maldon
- Facilities: Undercover area, picnic tables, fire pits, wood fire barbecues, water taps, toilets.
- Things to do: Bushwalking, gold prospecting
- Dogs allowed: Yes
Butts Reserve is a great campground beneath Mt Tarrengower, popular for gold prospecting and bushwalking.
The campground features picnic tables, wood fire barbecues, bins, toilets, and water taps along the back of the toilet block. There is also a large undercover area with a concrete floor located separate to the picnic area.
Campsites are scattered through a lightly treed area and surrounded by hillsides of huge boulders.
Waanyarra Recreation Site
- Distance from Maryborough: 29 mins
- Location: Waanyarra
- Facilities: Undercover area, picnic tables, fire pits, wood fire barbecues, walking tracks, information signs, toilets.
- Things to do: Bushwalking, gold prospecting, cycling, explore historic sites.
- Dogs allowed: Yes
The Waanyarra Recreation Site is a large cleared area in the Dunolly State Forest which is popular for camping, picnics, gold prospecting and bushwalking.
The picnic area is well equipped with tables, wood fire barbecues and an undercover area.
There are multiple fascinating historic sites located close by, including Mortons Welcome Inn, the Waanyarra Historic Cemetery, the Waanyarra Early Burial Ground and Murderers Hill.
Moliagul Campground
- Distance from Maryborough: 29 mins
- Location: Moliagul
- Facilities: Undercover area, picnic tables, electric barbecue, toilets
- Things to do: Bushwalking and gold prospecting nearby, explore historic sites
- Dogs allowed: Yes
The Moliagul Campground is a fantastic destination for gold prospectors, located a short drive from bushland areas and old diggings (including the discovery site of the world-famous Welcome Stranger gold nugget).
The campground is situated in the middle of Moliagul and also features a monument commemorating John Flynn, founder of the Flying Doctor Service.
THE DAM CAMPGROUND
- Distance from Maryborough: 30 mins
- Location: Mount Beckworth
- Facilities: Picnic table, fire pit, wood fire barbecue, walking tracks
- Things to do: Bushwalking
- Dogs allowed: Yes
The Dam Campground sits alongside a dam and is surrounded by bushland within the Mount Beckworth Scenic Reserve.
The campground features a picnic table, fire pit, bench seat and wood fire barbecue.
The wood fire barbecue and bench seat overlook the dam, and the camping area with picnic table and fire pit are located in a clearing on the other side of the road.
Manna gums campground
- Distance from Maryborough: 32 mins
- Location: Mount Beckworth
- Facilities: Picnic table, fire pit, wood fire barbecue, walking track
- Things to do: Bushwalking
- Dogs allowed: Yes
The Manna Gums Campground lies in a peaceful bushland setting within the Mount Beckworth Scenic Reserve.
The campsite features a picnic table, wood fire barbecue and fire pit.
A walking track takes you from the Manna Gums Campground to the summit of Mount Beckworth.
Bealiba Reservoir
- Distance from Maryborough: 35 minutes
- Location: Bealiba
- Activities: Swimming, fishing, bushwalking, picnics, lookout nearby
- Facilities: Picnic tables, wood fire barbecues, toilets
- Dogs allowed: Yes
The Bealiba Reservoir Recreation area is a fantastic spot for camping, picnics, fishing, swimming and bushwalking.
There are three picnic sites around the small reservoir, two of which are well equipped with tables, chairs and fire pits.
Two non-flush toilets are close to the picnic areas.
The dirt tracks around the reservoir make great walking/cycling tracks, and the beautiful Mount Bealiba is located up behind the reservoir.
Cork Oaks Campground
- Distance from Maryborough: 37 mins
- Location: Mount Beckworth
- Facilities: Picnic table, fire pits, wood fire barbecues, walking track, toilets
- Things to do: Bushwalking
- Dogs allowed: Yes
Surrounded by rocky peaks, bushland and beautiful views, Cork Oaks is a fantastic free campground and picnic area in the Mount Beckworth Scenic Reserve.
This is the perfect place to set up camp and explore the natural and historical features of Mount Beckworth.
See also
- Best swimming spots near Maryborough
- Hidden history around Maryborough VIC
- Gold prospecting guide for Maryborough VIC
- Best free campgrounds near Ballarat
- Best free campgrounds near Bendigo
- Best free campgrounds near Castlemaine
- Best campgrounds for gold prospecting in the Victorian Goldfields
- Best campgrounds in the Victorian Goldfields
- Campgrounds where you can swim in the Victorian Goldfields
- Best swimming spots near Ballarat
- Best swimming spots near Bendigo
- Top swimming spots in the Victorian Goldfields
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