The best camping near The Lakes National Park

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

Discover the serene beauty of The Lakes National Park and its abundant wildlife.  

Popular ways to camp

Community favorites near The Lakes National Park

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Top-rated campgrounds near The Lakes National Park

99%
(225)

Wattle Point Farm

7 sites · RVs, Tents126 acres · Forge Creek, VIC
Located close to Paynesville, Bairnsdale & Sale, Wattle Point Farm is a secluded, spacious and tranquil property with Lake frontage, wildlife & lush green natives, many walking tracks surround the property, a great fit for anyone who enjoys the outdoors, peace & quiet, relaxing by the water. Close to Blond Bay Wildlife Reserve (2000 ha) with many tracks for walking, cycling or driving. Give yourself some time away from the crowded popular destinations and discover our gem of a campsite. There are designated fire pits and shady green areas to relax and unwind, just a few steps to the water's edge. No facilities, so please only book if you are self-contained, and you must take all waste with you. Dogs welcome to join in the fun too! Markets- Bairnsdale farmers market 1st Saturday Paynesville Community market 2nd Sunday Paynesville farmers market 4th Saturday Bairnsdale Howitt Park market 4th Sunday
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AU$50
 / night
* Before taxes and fees
99%
(87)

Grandview Sanctuary

52 sites · RVs, Tents8 acres · Buchan, VIC
Grandview is located on 8 acres in the township of Buchan. The campsites have beautiful mountain views and the property is close to the Buchan River. The property is a great place to base yourself, within walking distance to the Buchan Caves Hotel, Roadhouse, General Store and the world acclaimed Buchan Caves. Take a 1/2 day or full day trip into the mountains and see the mighty Snowy River and Little River Gorge. Buchan is also a 45 minute drive to the ocean and the 90 mile beach. Grandview is one of the original homesteads of Buchan, which we are in the process of lovingly restoring. We have the belief that this place is to be shared. We love where we live and this is our way of sharing the beauty of the Buchan and surrounding valleys.
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AU$32
 / night
* Before taxes and fees
100%
(28)

Lakes Bushland Caravan Park

38 sites · RVs, Tents32 acres · Nicholson, VIC
Lakes Bushland Caravan and Lifestyle Park is set on 32 acres located in Nicholson, Victoria. Offering a quiet, bush caravan park with facilities to ensure all guests have the opportunity to relax, unwind and make quality memories. The park is located close to the Gippsland Rail Trail and the Gippsland Lakes and Rivers.
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AU$24
 / night
* Before taxes and fees
100%
(62)

Squatters Run farm

3 sites · RVs125 acres · Glenaladale, VIC
Squatters Run is a 123 acre working beef and lamb farm in the foothills of the Alpine National Park. Approximately 25 acres is dense subtropical bushland with the picturesque Iguana creek running through it, making it great to explore or watch the local wildlife. The camping area is surrounded by beautiful redbox trees, some dated to over 300 yrs old and has stunning views of the highcountry to the north and the Gippsland lakes in the south. Ideally located it is 57kms to the iconic Dargo pub and just 75kms to Lakes Entrance.
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AU$40
 / night
* Before taxes and fees
98%
(105)

Forge Creek Farm Stay

8 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents15 acres · Bairnsdale, VIC
Come and Enjoy country life for one night or more with beautiful views of Macleod Morass Wetlands. Lots of animals to enjoy, including cows, sheep, chickens and kangaroos. Lots of bird life. 7 Sites available for tents, caravans and camper trailers on a flat grassy area with great views. Campers are required to be self sufficient with their own toilet/shower facilities and must remove all rubbish. FIRES MUST BE IN FIRE PITS ONLY. Fire pits and firewood available on request at extra Cost Please advise prior to arrival if required. Farm Fresh Chicken Eggs (Bum Nuts) available. Must abide by the currant fire restrictions. Can provide a IBC water tank to your site with Tap outlet to connect to your van. Pets welcome, dogs must be kept on lead. . Only 5 minutes from town Centre, 15 min to Paynesville and 30 min to Lakes Entrance. Lakes Entrance is located on the edge of Ninety Mile Beach where the Gippsland Lakes meets the Southern Ocean.
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AU$45
 / night
* Before taxes and fees
92%
(24)

Home among the Gumtrees

3 sites · RVs, Tents5 acres · Nyerimilang, VIC
We are a young family of 4 with space to share, pull up where you would like and stretch your legs with space to move among the trees and surrounded by farmland and let your kids play on the equipment pat the horses and sheep or take a 10min drive to Lakes Entrance or Metung Or take a short stroll to the Nyerimilang heritage park with views of the Gippsland lakes There are no toilet or showers at this stage
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AU$20
 / night
* Before taxes and fees
100%
(164)

Nowa Nowa Lakeside Farmlet.

3 sites · RVs, Tents10 acres · Nowa Nowa, VIC
Located on the picturesque Nowa Nowa arm of Lake Tyers. Our hobby farm offers 3 beautiful large campsites (1 van per site) only 20 metres from the waters edge. OUR CAMPSITES DO NOT HAVE TOILET OR SHOWER FACILITIES. ALL WASTE AND RUBBISH MUST BE TAKEN WITH YOU ON DEPARTURE. Pets are welcome. We have chickens and alpacas on the property so please ensure your pets are restrained and don't upset the other animals. We have a fire pits for campers to relax around in the evenings. We can provide firewood for first night ($15) and additional firewood can be purchased from the general store (fundraiser for local CFA). Generators are allowed but only for limited time to charge essential equipment. No generators are allowed to run non stop and not between 9pm and 9am. if you are going to use a generator please inform other campers. Only a 5 minute walk to the NOWA NOWA GENERAL STORE/Post Office. You can get local fishing information from the friendly staff, stock up on fuel, groceries, wine/beer, fishing tackle, bait, fire wood and more without having to drive! MINGLING WATERS CARAVAN PARK/Cafe is the place to go for top quality coffee, brekky, and their famous carrot cake and burgers, only a 5 minute walk (currently temporarily closed) Opposite Mingling Waters is another 'must visit' while in Nowa Nowa. THE DEPOT, HOME OF TEXTILES. Local honey and home made jams and biscuits. Espresso coffee and turmeric latte. Handcrafted textiles, jewellery and more (check Facebook for opening hours) We are within easy reach of the EAST GIPPSLAND RAIL TRAIL which is popular for both bike riders and walkers. There are plenty of other great bushwalking tracks nearby as well. The location is ideal for people who enjoy the outdoors, lake fishing, boating, bird watching, walking and cycling. It's just a short drive to the beautiful seaside town of LAKES ENTRANCE where they have shops, cafes, restaurants, great fresh seafood and lovely beaches. BRUTHEN is only a 20 minute drive. BRUTHEN HOTEL, Cafes, Antique shops, Galleries andthe BULL-ANT BREWERY are musts to check out! The BUCHAN CAVES RESERVE is another short drive. Picnic spots, camping ground, walking tracks and a variety of flora and fauna, including koalas, over forty species of birds, kangaroos and currawongs. While in Buchan check out the famous BUCHAN PUB for a meal and a beer. 25 minute drive East and you are in ORBOST, a small East Gippsland town surrounded by national parks, forests and beaches. Recharge at the town's cafes and bakeries, then visit galleries and see the historical Slab Hut, an original 1872 pioneer hut relocated from the upper Snowy River and now home to the tourist information centre. Renowned local brewers SAILORS GRAVE can be found in an old butter factory, where they produce an exciting range of craft beer.
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AU$30
 / night
* Before taxes and fees
100%
(7)

Fainting Range Retreat

1 site · RV, Tent640 acres · Tambo Crossing, VIC
640 acres of wilderness on the Great Alpine Road, views up the Tambo Valley to the high country, Tambo River frontage. Easy access from the Great Alpine Road, however the 2km driveway requires a 4WD or high clearance off-road vehicle. Private camp site in the bush, unlimited firewood for campfires, walking tracks to explore, pet friendly. Although there is no running water at the campsite, you are welcome to fill up water containers from our rainwater tank, 400m from the campsite.
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AU$38
 / night
* Before taxes and fees
100%
(32)

Mt Alfred Camping and Horse Riding

1 site · RV, Tent110 acres · Flaggy Creek, VIC
The farm backs onto the Mt Alfred State Forest and is close to the beautiful Mitchell River National park. Mt Alfred is a fantastic forest with many great tracks to explore on horse back, mountain bike or on foot. Horses and dogs are welcome. There is plenty of space on a large, grassy flat area for camping and parking. There are paddocks for horses and a guide is available. The farm and surrounding bush is an Owl habitat and the property has an amazing abundance of bird life. It is just 25 minutes from Bairnsdale and the Gippsland lakes where you can explore the beautiful beaches and walking tracks. There are shops available for basic supplies within 10 minutes. We have a fire pit for you to light a campfire. There is a drop toilet and shower. Please take all rubbish with you on departure.
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AU$45
 / night
* Before taxes and fees
100%
(8)

Grassvale Farm Retreat EST. 1900

5 sites · RVs, Tents250 acres · Wuk Wuk, VIC
We border the Mitchell river with the farm so there are about 1 km of secluded banks to sit or swim from if you want to just stay put. For those wanting pure relaxation, meditation, and soul grounding. We can personally show you some tremendous places on the farm to go within. Pure solace is something that many take for granted. Use our pyramid to draw in Quantum/etheric energy, go to the top of our crystal hill and feel the energies. There is so much to be thankful for when you can release in these spaces. Alternatively sit amongst the cows and feel their energy surround you as their curious nature brings them in closer and closer until they relax around you. Alternatively if you want to chill with a beer on the river bank and try for some bass, or watch the eastern water dragons play in the sun and water, then that’s a great way to unwind, or soak up the sun rays as it drops below the horizon on the crystal hill or rolling flood plains. A personal favourite of a campfire and a few drinks with the stars is a great way to unwind when you have so much space and privacy. The sites are located next to our rental lodge where we sometimes do retreats, or holiday let it as well. The privacy is wonderful if that's what you are looking for. A walk each morning from one end of the farm where you will stay to the other and back is a leisurely 2kms so maybe that is your morning start, but walk the lanes and check the fences and cows while you're at it please 🙂, ticks a job for us while your relaxing. Want to learn about the history of the area? Well a session with us will teach you everything didn't know about the Dargo High Plains, the mountain cattlemen of the high country and much more. Take advantage of your time to enjoy the history of the area and the wonderful past times enjoyed. What is available off farm? Number one, the pub with great counter meals is across the river, 5kms away. Lindenow Farmers Hotel is iconic in its design and history, the reputed Lindenow Long Paddock Cafe is also a few hundred metres from the pub, and the Post Office and Store have all your essentials. Need a few more things? Bairnsdale is 24kms away from the farm and offers all you need. Lakes Entrance is about 40 mins for a day out on the beach. Paynesville around 30 mins. If you want to venture up into the mountains then why not go through Dargo just 45 mins and up onto Mt Hotham (Summer only) via the Dargo High Plains. It’s a great track and on occasions I take people up for a guided tour and secret camp spots on my yearly run up there for my own relax time. East Gippsland in general is a wonderful region to stop and relax during all seasons but especially summer with the water activities available, the camping in the high country, and the markets that abound the area. How do I get to be on this great farm? Well I am glad you asked! Just contact us through this website! Looking forward to meeting you and welcoming you onto our family farm of 124 years.
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AU$28
 / night
* Before taxes and fees
94%
(36)

The Tea Rooms

1 site · RV, Tent100 acres · Boisdale, VIC
10 acre bush paddock with plenty of wild life, space to spread out, privatise, a stones through from 4wd tracks and river and only 15 min from Maffra A tin/timber frame shed full of character with kitchenette, running wate, hot shower and flushing toilets. Situated on the edge of Avon wilderness offers the opportunity for bush walking and 4 wheel driving. Plenty of space for group bookings or individual and have the full use of the Tea Room shed to yourself with the added bonus of inside fire, pool table and combustion wood stove. The ideal spot to set up base and explore/ 4wd knowing your going to be the only ones there. 15 minute drive to maffra for all your shopping needs, close to local wineries, brewery, Newry golf corse and pubs. We are open to bigger group bookings if contact through msg. No motorbike riding on the property but it's a 2min ride to the state park where there are plenty of single tracks.
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AU$140
 / night
* Before taxes and fees
100%
(10)

Valencia 343

3 sites · RVs, Tents10 acres · Boisdale, VIC
We have 10 acres on the outskirts of Maffra in a little town called Boisdale, Victoria, with a beautiful big dam surrounded by gum trees and mountain horizons, with horses roaming the paddocks in a tranquil relaxing setting. Valencia 343 is a Barn style Shed that caters for group Camping option, which is fantastic for larger group camping holidays. Our beautiful big barn includes an inside wood fire, kitchen sink, toilet, shower, fridge, Bbq, couches, tables and chairs, an outside fire pit. There is plenty of space in the land surrounding the shed for caravans, tents, and everything in between. This area is bookable to one group at a time with a minimum of 10 adults, so it's all yours exclusively. 2-night minimum stay. Children under 2yrs stay free. No need to add them to your booking numbers, but please still let us know they are coming so we are aware. We are not far from the Blue Pools, a loved local waterhole, The Quarries near Briagolong - makes for a lovely day trip! we have some local wineries, Maffco Brewery Taphouse in maffra. The property is near to beautiful bushland, speckled with walking and horse riding tracks, and you'll enjoy amazing sunrises and sunsets from camp. So plenty to do! We look forward to welcoming you and your loved ones to Valencia 343.
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AU$100
 / night
* Before taxes and fees

The best camping near The Lakes National Park guide

Overview

About

Embark on an adventure at The Lakes National Park, a serene haven for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike. Here, you can immerse yourself in activities like birdwatching, kayaking, and scenic walks along the shores of Lake Victoria. For those seeking an overnight stay, the park offers peaceful campgrounds nestled amid the bushland, providing a perfect escape into nature.

Notable campgrounds

  • Emu Bight Campground: A family-friendly retreat offering unpowered sites amid native vegetation by Lake Victoria.
  • Rotamah Island Homestead Picnic Area: Accessible only by boat, this secluded spot is ideal for a tranquil picnic and wildlife spotting.

Tips for snagging a campsite

  • Book early, especially during peak seasons, to secure your preferred campsite.
  • Consider staying mid-week for better availability and a quieter experience.
  • Keep an eye on cancellations for last-minute opportunities.
  • Explore nearby camping options if your desired campground is fully booked.

When to go

The best time to visit The Lakes National Park is during the milder seasons of spring and autumn, when the weather is pleasant for outdoor activities. Summer can be quite warm, making it less ideal for strenuous activities. Winter brings cooler temperatures, which may affect some park facilities and activities.

Know before you go

  • Check for any park closures or safety advisories before your visit.
  • Be aware that some tracks and facilities may be closed due to maintenance or safety reasons.
  • Accessible accommodation options are available; inquire ahead for specific needs.
  • Remember to bring your own firewood if you plan to use the BBQ spots or fireplaces.
  • Always follow water safety advice when swimming or boating in the lakes.

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