The best camping near French Island National Park

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next French Island National Park adventure.

Discover the natural splendour of French Island National Park.  

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Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Top-rated campgrounds near French Island National Park

99%
(103)

Yarra Valley Vineyard Views

6 sites · RVs, Tents5 acres · Melbourne, VIC
**Summer Season 2024/2025** Due to an over demand we require weekend stays during the Summer months November to March to be a minimum two night stay. Guests are required to check in on Fridays, with Friday and Saturday nights as the two night minimum. Weekends during this period need to be booked by contacting hosts who will open the sites on the calendar on request to allow the booking to be done online. Those guests requiring a longer stay that overlap a weekend can also be accommodated. Just give us a call and we will find a spot for you. If you are checking dates and a weekend is open, then luck is with you and I have opened the calendar as I'm working on site. If this is the case, single night stays can be booked. *_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_* Looking for a peaceful and secluded spot to park up whilst exploring the Yarra Valley winery region, the Dandenong Ranges, or some of Melbourne's close regional towns like Healesville, Yarra Glen and Warburton? We have opened up a beautiful flat expanse at the rear of our five acre property and made it available to self contained campers and caravaners. We are travelers ourselves and often find it difficult to find peaceful yet secure spots that allow us to explore capital cities and the lovely areas around them. Most cities tend to have caravan parks in the outer suburbs and these can often resemble concrete jungles and be very busy leaving you feel like you have to pay a top premium to be cramped into a space. But what options do you have if you want to explore a vibrant city like Melbourne. See a show, do some shopping, eat out at some of the World's greatest restaurants. Yes, we all should splurge every now and then even when on the road. Our property lies at the very start of the Yarra Valley. It is surrounded on three sides by the magnificent Helens Hill vineyard. In the Summer months you can watch the fruit come onto the vines and in the Winter the views open up to see the kangaroos bouncing though the rows and often silhouetted against the skyline sunsets. We are less than 5 minutes to Lilydale town center. Supermarkets, restaurants, service centers, parts stores, hardware are all on the doorstep, yet looking out over the vines you wouldn't know. Lilydale is 38 kms from Melbourne CBD and there is a train station with ample day parking making it super easy to explore the heart of Melbourne and return 'home' to your country retreat for the night. Myki cards available on site FOC. There is a dump point only 3kms away at a local caravan park for those that need it and at our property water can be available to fill your tanks if needed for a small donation. There is no water or power connection on the sites but you can release your grey water to nourish the grass. Lilydale has a large laundromat available to you. We have a beautiful covered eating area with BBQ available so if the weather turns inclement you can still eat out yet under cover. All campers must be 100% self contained. These are remote sites with no connections and there are no toilet facilities available. We have restricted our area to a maximum of 6 sites to ensure that everyone has their space. Sites are not marked and locations will be on a first booked basis. Owners will direct you to your areas. The area is beautifully flat and does absorb water well but care must be taken to not tear it up after heavy rains. Please seek assistance from owners rather than tearing up the grass as a tractor is available. We can cater for large sized vans and even large motorhomes. Tents are welcome. The property is pet friendly but not fully fenced so your furry friends would need to be on lead. We have our own dogs on the property. Hipcamp being USA based describes the sites and vehicles in USA terms and lengths. There is no way to alter this but please be aware. We cater for Aussie sized caravans and 4wd vehicles. 14 or 15m long all up, no problem. Just in a 4x4 with roof top tent and awning, we have you covered. Cruising the country in a Commodore with a pop top, all good here. Please be aware that we do share a boundary with a working vineyard and they do occasionally have a tractor or crew out in the vines doing some work. There can be a bit of farm machinery work every now and then but this is beyond our control and generally very minimal as vines dont take much looking after unless its harvest night.
Pets
from 
AU$33
 / night
* Before taxes and fees
98%
(958)

Iron Brook Donkey Farm

22 sites · RVs, Tents30 acres · East Warburton, VIC
Rolling hills of mountain pasture, backing on to the Yarra State Forest. Bushwalk along the little creek among tall trees and majestic tree ferns, or just sit in a deck chair and take in the exquisite views at the top of the hill. Multiple tracks head through the Yarra State Forest where you can wind your way along dirt roads through to Noojee, Powelltown, or Reefton, each of which have a cosy pub at the end of the drive. There are different campsite locations on the property, depending on if you would like isolation or convenience. We also offer excellent toilet and bathroom facilities which are now included with all bookings. Iron Brook Donkey Farm is located on rolling hills of mountain pasture, backing on to the Yarra State Forest. Bushwalk along the little creek among tall trees and majestic tree ferns, or just sit in a deck chair and take in the exquisite views at the top of the hill. Multiple tracks head through the Yarra State Forest where you can wind your way along dirt roads through to Noojee, Powelltown, or Reefton, each of which have a cosy pub at the end of the drive. The donkey farm is situated conveniently, halfway between the popular redwood forest, and the giant Ada tree walk. Just chill in your own time, or book an activity or a donkey ride. Donkeys can take riders up to 70kg We do allow pets, but this MUST be discussed with us prior to booking as we have strict rules around this. We also allow campfires only when fire restrictions aren't in place - which is often all summer. Children under 3 are free, but for insurance purposes, please mention them in the comments. Day visitors are $20 per person, which incudes a donkey patting session. This property has an overall capacity to ensure that our number of visitors remain low. This not only ensures that campers recieve the space and peace they look for in a campsite like this, but also so that we can ensure the bathrooms can be kept clean and not overloaded. This is also a part of our COVID safe plan. Due to this overall capacity it is important that you book for the number of people that you intend to have stay, as while we try to accomodate increases to booking numbers, they are not guaranteed unless booked. If we have met overall capacity then we may not be able to approve increases to booking numbers. This is for the comfort and safety of all our visitors. Thank you If you intend to purchase firewood or power or donkey rides or anything from the Donkey Shop during your stay, please bring cash to pay, and payments must be made up front, unfortunately, too often guests have been leaving without having paid for their rides or firewood.
Pets
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Toilets
from 
AU$30
 / night
* Before taxes and fees
80%
(15)

Park Lane Phillip Island

61 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents10 acres · Cowes, VIC
Escape to Phillip island, the natural playground of picturesque beaches, beautiful coastlines, and native Australian wildlife. From cabins to caravanning and camping. There’s something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for adventure at a maze of things or on the high ropes course, or the serenity of nature walks, penguin parades, and wildlife parks, or to hit the beach for a surf or swim. The island has you covered. We look forward to welcoming you at Park Lane Phillip Island Holiday Park. Whether you’re a big or small family, a couple on a romantic getaway, or a just group of friends and looking for adventure, Phillip Island is stacked full of activities, eateries, and breath-taking scenery to keep you busy for the duration of your stay. With our incredible onsite theme park, A Maze’N Things, you might not even need to leave the holiday park at all! We offer mini golf, a high ropes course, a maze, and rooms full of curiosities. There’s also an onsite brewery and restaurant! Park Lane Phillip Island Holiday Park really does have it all.
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from 
AU$38
 / night
* Before taxes and fees
99%
(188)

Angel Peace

5 sites · RVs, Tents5 acres · Noojee, VIC
Leave the noise of the city behind and travel to Noojee, a town named after the Aboriginal word for contentment or place to rest. Surrounded by lush native bush and towering tree ferns, this picturesque town on the Latrobe River sits on the main access route to the ski fields of Mt Baw Baw and is home to a wide range of heritage and natural attractions. The property consists of 5 acres with a river, so you can set up a tent right next to the river and fish for dinner. The house is about 100 meters away from the camping area, but there are about 1000 Oregon trees that are 50 years old, so you can't see each other well, so you can enjoy nature freely. 4WD is recommended for easy access. We recommend tents/swags. 4WD with Heavy trailer is still very hard to enter when it is wet. Guests will have access to a toilet throughout their stay. There is a communal fire pit available, so guests can enjoy a campfire on the cool evenings. Please abide by any local fire restrictions during your stay. You can walk from my house to Noojee Heritage Centre, Trestle Bridge, Alpine Trout Farm, and Noojee Hotel for a delicious pizza, Cool beer from tool sheed and coffee from red duck cafe. You can drive to Toorongo Falls, Ada Tree in 10 minutes and Baw Baw Ski Resort in 40 minutes.
Pets
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Toilets
from 
AU$70
 / night
* Before taxes and fees
95%
(59)

Tranquil Waters Campground

6 sites · RVs, Tents80 acres · Hoddles Creek, VIC
The 80-acre semi-rural property is a nature lover's paradise, boasting vast bushland teeming with native vegetation and wildlife. The property offers a tranquil retreat with the highlight being a spectacular spring-fed dam, providing a serene oasis for relaxation and recreation. The diverse ecosystem supports a variety of flora and fauna, making it a haven for nature enthusiasts and those seeking a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. The property is located close to a myriad of wineries and is not far from the Yarra Valley towns of Gembrook, Yarra Junction and Warburton. Each with their own unique qualities. When travelling to the Tranquil Waters Campground it can be a little tricky. Please pay attention to the photos and map provided for directions - the address is 600 Thonemans Road, Hoddles Creek. The area is known for its beautiful walking tracks located in the Kurth Kiln national park which is only a few Km's drive. If fruit picking is something you would like to try, then Rayner Orchard located at 60 Schoolhouse Road, Woori Yallock would be a great place to visit. Its hard to go past the Gladysdale Bakehouse or Carrige Cafe in Seville for brunch/lunch if that's your thing. Alternatively you can simply relax and enjoy the peace an quite! For the fishing enthusiasts, we added 100 Golden Perch to the spring-fed dam in November 2022 - they should be about big enough to catch and have some fun with. Note: Don't camp near or directly under trees, please camp within the open areas for safety reasons.
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AU$24
 / night
* Before taxes and fees
100%
(18)

The Farm @ JU Buffalo (S Gippsland)

3 sites · RVs6 acres · Buffalo, VIC
Welcome to The Farm at Journey Unknown Buffalo! Our property is a 6.5 acre hobby farm consisting of chickens, sheep, lambs, koalas, various birds and our resident dogs. There are 3 self-contained sites available to choose from that are all located around our beautiful dam and there's even a doggy paddock for your fur babies to run around in. Site 1: PREMIUM - Private and Peaceful Site 2: POWERED - Easy Access, Electrified and Extra Large Site 3: DRIVE-THRU - Drive-Thru and De-Stress All sites include a fire pit, picnic table with seats and are dog friendly! We also have firewood for sale at $10 a bag and a carton of eggs for $5. You can pay cash for these through our honesty box where the collection station is. Come down to the country and explore what South Gippsland has to offer. We’ll tell you all our favourite places to visit. For more information about your hosts Troy and Laura, check out their social media pages: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063535874684 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/journeyunknown_oz/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@JourneyUnknown
Pets
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AU$30
 / night
* Before taxes and fees

The best camping near French Island National Park guide

Overview

About

Embark on an adventure at French Island National Park, a haven for wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. Traverse the rugged bushlands, cycle through the open woodlands, and keep an eye out for the diverse birdlife that calls this park home. While vehicle-based camping is not permitted, the park offers a unique camping experience at Fairhaven Campground, accessible only by foot or bike.

Notable campgrounds

  • Fairhaven Campground: Nestled by the Western Port shores, this serene spot is perfect for tent camping amid nature's tranquility.

Tips for snagging a campsite

  • Book online in advance to secure your spot at the limited Fairhaven Campground.
  • Plan your visit outside of peak seasons for a better chance at availability.
  • Keep an eye on the Parks Victoria website for any cancellations or newly available spots.
  • Explore nearby camping options for alternative stays close to the park.

When to go

The best time to visit French Island National Park is during spring when wildflowers bloom and migratory birds abound. Winter offers a chance to spot whales and penguins. Be mindful of the summer heat and prepare for cooler temperatures and potential closures during the fire season.

Know before you go

  • Ross River virus is present on the island; carry insect repellent to protect yourself.
  • Be prepared for encounters with local wildlife, including snakes and lizards.
  • Access to the park is by ferry; check the timetable and weather conditions before your trip.
  • There are no open fires allowed; bring a portable gas stove for cooking.
  • First aid facilities are limited; ensure you have a well-equipped first aid kit.

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Hipcamp acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders past, present and future and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.