We certainly did leave our hearts in Eden above the blue and windy sea. There is so much to explore like hiking, cycling, walking and running trails. It’s November 2023 and we’ve had quite mild weather the whole time away, today we have packed up and it’s hot and windy. This will be an interesting drive.
Genoa Camp Park, Recreational Reserve
Location: 4 Park Road, East Gippsland, VIC, 3691
Duration: 1 night
Distance: 63km from Eden, NSW
Cost: FREE
Soon after leaving Eden and still following the A1, The Princess Highway you see that the landscape changes and becomes thick with beautiful forests, then you cross the border into Victoria, which is part of East Gippsland. This day in November 2023 was an extremely hot day with temperatures over 38c and was not a day to be inland.
After consulting our Camps Australia app we found a free camp in a tiny little town called Genoa which is right on the Genoa River. Such a brilliant free camp with a donation box. The East Gippsland Shire Council look after this recreational reserve. There is a maximum 72 hour stop restriction here.
The Genoa River is covered under the East Gippsland catchment management authority which covers an area of 2.2 million hectares of land, lakes and coastal waters to 5.5km offshore, so basically it covers about 10% of Victoria. The major rivers in this catchment are the Bemm, Cann, Thurman, Wingan, Betka and Genoa Rivers and as a subsequent are covered under the heritage rivers act because of their significant environmental and social values. These rivers are also in excellent condition due tot he extensive forest cover in the catchments.d Apparently they are regarded as significant because they retain the major ecological features and functioning that existed prior to European settlement.
This campground has the following facilities:
- Toilets
- Clothes Line
- Non-drinking water
- Washing trough
- Kids playground
- Basketball ring
- BBQ
- Chickens and roosters roaming around
- Shade shelter and picnic tables
We used this as an opportunity to leave the caravan here so we could travel onto Mallacoota with ease. There is a very windy road of around 24km’s and we were very pleased with our decision not to tow the caravan down there.
Mallacoota
Mallacoota is surrounded by the Croajingolong National Park and is situated at the mouth of the Mallacoota inlet on the far eastern corner of Victoria. The main swimming beach is Bastion Point and is positively stunning. There are plenty of caravan parks to choose from should you wish to stay. Plus a well equipped town.
It was definitely much better weather here on the coast than inland. We enjoyed some time walking along the beach and the cooling off in the ocean. We then took a drive to find a nice picnic spot. We found this place high up overlooking the ocean. It was stunning, a place surrounded by homes with a picnic area with shaded picnic tables. Such a lovely place to spend the hot afternoon.
Back to Genoa for dinner and luckily the temperature had cooled considerably. In the morning we took the opportunity have a walk around this very quaint little town and reading about all the history. Definitely worth a stop over here to support the town.
Lakes Entrance Recreation Reserve
Location: 1 Rowe Street, East Gippsland, VIC, 3909
Duration: 2 nights
Distance: 182km from Genoa
Cost:$25/night UNPOWERED
We chose this reserve based on location and primarily as it is a low cost camping area. This area is on crown land and is managed by a Committee of Management appointed by the Minister. The campground is on the sports oval sharing those facilities. It is a great way to utilise land that otherwise sits empty whilst not be used as a sports field.
All powered sites are lakeside and you reverse your caravan into the site making the lake behind you, they have have provided many powered sites. As we do not need power, we chose a unpowered site. They have 12 sites right down the back furtherest away from all the amenities. There are 2 sites 5 (ours) and 6 that have lake frontage. It is extremely modern with clean facilities which is located down near the entrance. The unpowered section shares the facilities used by the public using the sports field.
The park is very central to everything in Lakes Entrance and is within walking distance to everything you need or want to do.
We wanted to see the actual entrance to Lakes Entrance from the ocean. So we set off in the morning to take the walk, it was quite a long walk and wasn’t what we were expecting. But nevertheless we had a very full day. Likes Entrance is on the edge of 90 mile beach and is where the Gippsland Lakes empty into the ocean. We walked from the caravan park to the footbridge over to Cunningham Arm to 90 Mile Beach, then onto where the river meets the ocean.
It was a long hot walk and sometimes walking in lots of sand. There were lots of steps up and down. They have in places put mesh down on the paths but some parts are hard going.
The views were stunning and watching the Australian Fur Seals play was amazing. If you get there later in the day you might even see the dolphins playing with the seals. It was a brilliant walk and took us about 3 hours to complete, including the walk to and from the caravan park and have a bite to eat in town once we had returned. In total we walked just over 8km.
The Knob Reserve – The Meeting Place
Location: Old Redbank Road, Stratford, VIC 3862
Distance: 90km from Lakes Entrance
The walking track is easy going and there is about 2.5km of formed track, all set on the bend of the Avon River. The knob was traditionally a common ground for the five clans of the Gunaikurani. This significant parcel of land is 3km from the township of Stratford.
This gorgeous and well cared for parcel of land is jointly managed by Parks Victoria and the Gunaikurani Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation and it was absolutely stunning.
There were local families having lunch together and enjoying each others company and people like us, just enjoying the surroundings and walking along the many tracks.
There are picnic tables, shelter sheds, BBQ’s and toilets.
Stratford
Location: A1 Princess Highway
Distance: 232km east of Melbourne
A particularly quaint village set on the Avon River. There are a few theories on how it got its name but this town does not lack in activities to do. Plenty of fishing spots along the river, wilderness areas where you can go four wheel driving or hike through deeply rugged terrain. There are also cycling paths, and canoeing activities to keep you busy.
We enjoyed a walk around the Arts Trail and Sculpture Walk, taking in the history of the town and its beauty.
Wellington RV Park, Maffra Victoria
Location: 187 Johnson Street, Gippsland VIC, 3869
Duration: 1 night
Distance: 98km from Lakes Entrance
Cost: FREE
Wellington RV park in Maffra is for self contained vehicles only with a 48 hour maximum stay within a 30 day period. A nice clean tidy site with loads of shade and grass. There is a dump point on site and you are right in town close to all the cafe’s, supermarket, shops and sports club. We have been so delighted by the quaint towns here in the Gippsland region and absolutely loving their dairy products. Their jersey milk has been making us the most delicious cappuccino’s with our on board Breville Coffee Machine.
We enjoyed drinks and a dinner at the sports club and loved stocking up in their well stocked IGA Supermarket.
Bacchus Marsh Caravan Park
Location: 26 Main Street, Baccush Marsh, VIC 3340
Duration: 1 night
Distance: 278km from Maffra
Cost: $50 powered site
What a mammoth day, this was our biggest and most tiring day. You would have guessed by now we do not travel far each day. We like to stop at as many towns as possible to explore as much of a region that we can. So this day was huge for us, being 278km from Maffra to Baccush Marsh. This journey also took us right through Melbourne following the Princess Highway with all the traffic, large trucks and $20 in tolls along the Westgate bridge.
We got the last site for the night here and was not the most pleasant place to stay but I managed to get all the washing done and fill up the tanks with drinking water, so all was not lost. A nice dinner with a few drinks and early to bed this night.
Alexander Gardens, Ararat, Victoria
Location: Girdlestone St, Ararat VIC, 3377
Distance: 148km from Baccush Marsh
What a delightful find, we found this place purely by chance. We were looking for somewhere to pull up to have lunch and somewhere with enough space to fit the car and caravan. These gardens are just stunning and well cared for, there are walking tracks, lots of birds and gorgeous plants. We spent quite a few hours here enjoying what was on offer.
There is a terraced fernery that slopes down towards the lawns and the ornamental lake. It was currently being repaired while we were there as it was damaged by storms.
Across the road is quite an impressive looking building, we set off to find out what it was and it is known as the J Ward, Asylum for the criminally insane. It started out as a prison in 1861 and once the gold rush ceased in the 1880’s it was transformed into a Lunatic Asylum. We were quietly pleased it was not open when we arrived there as they do offer tours.
The park offers:
- BBQ’s
- Toilets
- Walking Tracks
- Playground
- Exercise Track
- Picnic Tables
Plantation Camping Area – The Grampians
Location: Mount Zero Road, Stawell, VIC 3381
Duration: 1 night
Distance: 56km from Ararat
Cost: FREE
We were wanting to see the Grampians but wanted to do some free camping. So referring back to our trusty Camps Australia App we found a Parks Victoria campground about 10km from the Grampians. It is free to stay and enter and no need to book. First in best site.
They have lots of sites, some big, some small and some that are drive through. Most have a fireplace with BBQ plate and BYO wood. There are composting toilets and bucket shower sheds with BYO water. They have untreated rainwater tanks and the quantity of the water is seasonal. There are many taps spread out along the campground with untreated creek water. We found it a great place to stay but be sure to get there early or you will miss out. The road in was dirt and quite corrugated. On the way out the road was more corrugated but then became a single paved road until we were back on the main highway.
Weir Park, Horsham
Location: 130 Barnes Blvd, Horsham, VIC 3400
Distance: 61km from Plantation Campground
Weir Park in Horsham is about 3km out of town on the Wimmera River. Here you will find BBQ’s, picnic tables, swing equipment and an off-leash dog run. With its many walking tracks you can keep occupied for a long time. We throughly enjoyed our stop in Horsham. With a stock up of water, fuel and food we set off towards home.
Nhill Aviation Heritage Centre
Location: Areodrome Road, Little Dessert, NHill VIC 3418
Duration: 1 night
Distance: 80km from Horsham
Cost: Low Cost Camping, Donation
Nhill Aviation Centre (former RAAF Base) 1941 – 1946, is a tribute to the thousands of men and women who trained here during World War II. This facility if now set up as a museum and run by volunteers. They offer low cost free camping on their grounds for RV’S. The donation box can be found near the entrance to the museum. They have kindly provided toilets and a dump point. We spent a very relaxing afternoon and evening reading about the history and watching the planes land and take off as it is still a training base for pilots.
The next morning when the Heritage Centre was open we enjoyed an informative tour of the centre with Don. He has so much passion and knowledge of the museum.
Opening Days: Saturday & Sunday
Opening Hours: 10-4pm
Cost: $10/person
Lake Indawarra, Tintinara SA
Location: Kings Road, Tintinara, SA 5266
Duration: 1 night
Distance: 169km from Nhill Aviation Centre
Cost: Free
Lake Indawarra in Tintinara is located in the Murray and Mallee region of the south east of South Australia. Lake Indawarra is an artificial lake, it was originally created by the railway workers in 1905 as a railway reservoir. There are walking tracks around the lake, picnic areas with BBQ’s and South Australia’s only Golf Disc Park.
We were fortunate that Canoe Polo SA were there that weekend having their tournament. Canoe polo is a mixture of water polo and basketball. Jump on their website and have a read, we found it very interesting. The town has also offered their Disc Golf Park as a temporary camping spot for a maximum 48 hours, there is a donation box at the toilet.
The park offers:
- Flushing Toilets
- BBQ’s
- Shade
- Disc Golf
- Water Sports
- Drinking Water Tap
- Dump Point
Tailem Bend – Potable Water Point
Tailem Bend being a RV Friendly town has provided this great facility for the traveller.
- Potable Water Tap
- Dump Point
- Toilet Block
Trip Report
We travelled from Adelaide along the east coast, through Melbourne and back to Adelaide.
Duration: 35 days
Tow Vehicle: Ford Ranger
Towing: Island Star, Escape
We were always very concerned about towing such a large caravan but we have to say we were very impressed in how well our car managed the trip.
Our average fuel economy was 15.0/L per 100km and we travelled approximately 3,599km.
Thank you for following along, we hope we have been able to provide you with some valuable information on what see and where to stay in this region.
Chris & Sharon's Camping Adventures 