Free camps near Melbourne
Victoria · within 80 km · updated hourly
Short answer
As of 3 November 2026, Matey's map shows 17 free campsites within 80 km of Melbourne: all from OpenStreetMap. 5 are tagged van friendly and 2 have toilets, and the closest is Kurth Kiln Camping and Picnic (2nd), about 55 km east of the town centre.
Free campsites from OpenStreetMap
Closest first. Distances are in a straight line from the centre of Melbourne.
Kurth Kiln Camping and Picnic (2nd)
55 km east
- Toilets
Number One Camp Horseyards
58 km north
Monda Horseyards
59 km north-east
Two Hill
61 km north-east
Little River Walk-in Camping Area
61 km west
- Tents OK
Lukes Creek
62 km north-east
Dindi Mill
65 km north-east
Fairhaven Campsite
65 km south-east · run by Parks Victoria
- Tents OK
Friday's Camping Area
68 km west
- Van friendly
- Tents OK
Acheron Campground
69 km east
Lightwood Camp Area
70 km south · run by Parks Victoria
- Toilets
Dispersed Camping
70 km east
- Van friendly
- Tents OK
Dolly Creek
77 km west
- Van friendly
- Tents OK
Hunts Bridge Camping Area
77 km west
- Van friendly
- Tents OK
Carrolls Spring
78 km north-west · run by Forest Fire Managment Victoria
- Van friendly
- Tents OK
Federal Mill camping area (walk-in camping)
78 km east
Stanley Homestead
79 km north-east · run by DELWP Alexandra
Van stops: dump points, water and showers
Dump points: 4 within 80 km
Water refills: 5 within 80 km
Showers: 3 within 80 km
Free camping etiquette
- Read the sign at the entrance: stay limits, fires and dogs are set by the council or park manager.
- Use the toilets, or a proper dump point for your van toilet. Never empty it in a drain or the bush.
- Take all rubbish with you, and arrive before dark so you can see where you are parking.
Common questions
Where can I empty my van toilet near Melbourne?
OpenStreetMap lists 4 dump points within 80 km of Melbourne. The closest is Darebin Resource Recovery Centre, about 10 km north of the town centre.
Can I sleep in my van anywhere around Melbourne?
No. Councils and park managers decide where you can camp, and many towns ban sleeping in vehicles on streets and beach car parks. Stay at a signed free camp or a caravan park, read the signs for stay limits, and take your rubbish with you.
How up to date is this list?
The page refreshes every hour from Matey's map data. The free camps and van services come from OpenStreetMap, which volunteers edit, so a site can close or start charging. Check the signs when you arrive.
Free camp and van service data © OpenStreetMap contributors, available under the Open Database Licence (ODbL). Backpacker spots are shared by Matey members.
Free camps near other towns
See them on the map
Free camps, dump points, water and backpacker spots around Melbourne, on one map. Free to join, no fees.
Open the camping map