free camp sites melbourne

Hunting for free camp sites near Melbourne without selling a kidney for the privilege?

Two popular options are Kurth Kiln’s Scout Loop near Gembrook (about 70 km east) and Mount Franklin Reserve near Daylesford (roughly 115 km north‑west); both are free, basic, and first‑come.

As a rule, free sites in Victoria are usually in state forests or shire reserves, so expect drop toilets at best, bring your own water, and pack out your rubbish.

Always check Parks Victoria and local council notices for track closures, fire bans and total fire ban days—turning up to a closed gate is not the vibe.

Arrive early on weekends and long holidays, and keep a Plan B pinned, because “free” fills up faster than a servo pie warmer on a cold morning.