Best pet friendly campsites in Victoria

You've blocked out a long weekend. The tent's packed, the esky's full, and the dog is already losing it because she saw you loading the car. There's one problem — you just discovered that most Victorian national parks don't allow dogs at all.

It's a rude shock for pet owners who want to camp in Victoria. Unlike state forests in NSW or Queensland, Victoria's national parks have strict no-dog policies with only a handful of exceptions. But here's the good news: there are still brilliant pet friendly campsites in Victoria scattered across the coast, the bush, and along some of the state's best rivers. You don't have to leave your mate behind.

We've tracked down 10 of the best dog friendly camping spots in Victoria — a mix of Parks Victoria campgrounds, state forest sites, and free bush camps. For each one, we cover dog rules, facilities, and a practical tip so you don't rock up unprepared. Because Sarah from Footscray learned that the hard way when she drove three hours to a Gippsland campground with her kelpie, only to be told dogs weren't allowed at her specific site. Don't be Sarah.

Quick rules: where dogs can and can't go in Victoria#

Before you load up the car, you need to know the ground rules. Victoria's pet camping rules are stricter than most states, and getting it wrong can mean a fine — or a very disappointing U-turn.

National parks: Dogs are banned from almost all Victorian national parks. The exceptions are specific campgrounds within Great Otway National Park (Johanna Beach and Lake Elizabeth) and Lake Eildon National Park (Jerusalem Creek). Even at these sites, dogs must stay on-lead at all times.

State forests: Dogs are welcome in all Victorian state forests on-lead, except Murrindindi Scenic Reserve. State forests offer the most freedom for dog owners — many have free camping with no booking required.

Regional and coastal parks: Rules vary by park. Some allow dogs on-lead, others don't. Always check the Parks Victoria dog-friendly parks page before you go.

Fines: If your dog is found in a restricted area or off-lead in an on-lead zone, you can cop a fine. In serious cases involving wildlife, Parks Victoria can pursue court action.

One more thing worth knowing: from 1 July 2025, the Victorian Government reintroduced half-price camping fees across 131 Parks Victoria campgrounds for two years. That includes several dog-friendly sites on this list.

Pet friendly campsites Victoria at a glance#

Campground	Region	Cost	Dogs	Drive from Melbourne	Booking
Johanna Beach	Great Ocean Road	~$16/night	On-lead	3 hrs	Book via Parks Vic
Banksia Bluff	East Gippsland	~$20/night	On-lead (select sites)	5 hrs	Book via Parks Vic
Paradise Beach	Gippsland Lakes	~$16/night	On-lead	3.5 hrs	Book via Parks Vic
Lake Elizabeth	The Otways	~$16/night	On-lead	2.5 hrs	Book via Parks Vic
Sheepyard Flat	Howqua Hills	Free	On-lead	2.5 hrs	First-come
Jerusalem Creek	Lake Eildon	~$16/night	On-lead	2 hrs	Book via Parks Vic
Lerderderg	Near Bacchus Marsh	Free	On-lead	1 hr	First-come
Blue Pools	Briagolong	Free	On-lead	3 hrs	First-come
Stevensons Falls	The Otways	Free	On-lead	2.5 hrs	First-come
Cann River Rainforest	East Gippsland	Free	On-lead	5.5 hrs	First-come

Coastal pet friendly campsites in Victoria#

Johanna Beach Campground, Great Otway National Park#

Johanna Beach is the crown jewel of dog friendly camping in Victoria. Set on an open grassy hill behind sand dunes, the campground sits right behind one of the Great Ocean Road's most dramatic beaches — and your dog is welcome to join you on the sand.

The campground has 25 unpowered sites spread across the hillside with direct beach access. Dogs must be on-lead both at the campground and on the beach itself, which is an important nesting area for the threatened Hooded Plover. This is non-negotiable — rangers do check.

Matt and his border collie Archie make the drive from Geelong every autumn. "We set up on the hill, and by 6am we're walking the beach with Archie while the sun comes up over the dunes. There's nobody else around most weekday mornings. It's the best start to a day I've found anywhere in Victoria."

Facilities: Pit toilets, no showers, no powered sites. Bring everything you need.

Practical tip: Johanna Beach books out fast during school holidays and long weekends. Set your Parks Victoria booking alert early — new dates release at 10am AEST on scheduled days. Or let CampWatch monitor availability and text you when a cancelled booking opens up.

Banksia Bluff Campground, Cape Conran Coastal Park#

Banksia Bluff sits in a gorgeous banksia forest that backs straight onto the East Gippsland coast. It's a five-hour drive from Melbourne, which keeps the crowds thinner than closer spots — and the reward is pristine beach camping with your dog.

Dogs are allowed on-lead at designated sites within the campground. Not every site permits dogs, so check when booking. The beach is accessible from camp, and the coastal walking tracks are spectacular.

Facilities: Basic showers, toilets, fire pits, no powered sites.

Practical tip: The nearest supermarket is 34 kilometres away in Orbost. Stock up on supplies (for you and the dog) before you arrive. Running out of dog food at a remote campground is not a fun experience.

Paradise Beach Campground, Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park#

Tucked between the ocean and Lake Reeves, Paradise Beach is one of those secluded spots that feels like a proper escape. The campground is quiet, the beach walks are long, and your dog will love the sandy trails between camp and the shore.

Dogs must be on-lead in the campground and beach areas. The setting is exposed — there's limited shade — so summer camping here means bringing your own shelter for the dog.

Facilities: Basic — pit toilets, no showers. Bring your own water supply.

Practical tip: Paradise Beach is at its best in autumn and spring when the temperatures are kinder and the crowds are gone. Summer can be brutally hot with little shade.

Bush and river pet friendly campsites in Victoria#

Lake Elizabeth Campground, Great Otway National Park#

Lake Elizabeth is one of those rare Victorian campgrounds where you're camping in a national park with your dog — legally. The campground is sheltered by towering eucalyptus trees beside the Barwon River, and a one-kilometre walk through the forest brings you to Lake Elizabeth itself.

The lake is famous for its platypus population. Head out at dawn with your dog on-lead and you've got a genuine shot at spotting one. Canoeing is also popular here, though your dog will need to stay on shore for that.

Facilities: Pit toilets, no showers, fire pits. Basic but beautiful.

Practical tip: The walk to the lake is flat and easy, but the trail can get muddy after rain. Bring a towel — your dog will find the mud before you do.

Sheepyard Flat, Howqua Hills Historic Area#

If one campground sums up why Victorian campers love dog friendly bush camping, it's Sheepyard Flat. Set on the banks of the Howqua River in the Victorian High Country, this free campground has large grassy flats, mature shade trees, and that particular kind of quiet you only get a couple of hours from Melbourne.

Tom and Jess have been bringing their two labradors to Sheepyard Flat for years. "We come up most long weekends. The dogs wade in the river, we have a campfire, nobody bothers us. It's the one spot we keep coming back to." The campground fills early on holiday weekends, so they've learned to arrive by Friday lunchtime.

Dogs must be on-lead, but the generous site spacing means your dog has room to stretch out. The Howqua Hills Historic Area is part of a regional park, not a national park, so dogs are welcome.

Facilities: Fire pits, pit toilets, no showers, no bookings. First-come, first-served.

Practical tip: Sheepyard Flat doesn't take bookings. On long weekends and school holidays, sites fill by early Friday afternoon. If you can take a half-day, you'll snag a prime riverside spot.

Jerusalem Creek Campground, Lake Eildon National Park#

Jerusalem Creek is one of only a handful of national park campgrounds in Victoria that welcomes dogs. Set beside Lake Eildon, the campground offers water access and bushland surroundings. Dogs must stay on-lead at all times.

Facilities: Pit toilets, fire pits, no showers.

Practical tip: Lake levels at Eildon vary by season. Check current levels before planning a water-focused trip.

Lerderderg State Park#

At roughly one hour from Melbourne's CBD, Lerderderg is the closest proper bush camping option for dog owners. The state park has free camping along the Lerderderg River gorge, and the walking tracks are stunning — rock pools, river crossings, and scenery that dogs love.

Facilities: Very basic — pit toilets, no showers, no bookings.

Practical tip: Popular with day-trippers from Melbourne on weekends. Arrive Thursday or Friday for a quieter camping experience.

Free pet friendly campsites in Victoria#

Budget-conscious dog owners have solid options across Victoria's state forests and recreation reserves. These spots are all free, first-come first-served, and welcome dogs on-lead.

Blue Pools Campground, Briagolong#

Blue Pools is a small, intimate campground near Sale in Gippsland. The swimming holes here are the main draw — crystal-clear pools in the bush where your dog can cool off alongside you. The campground has fire pits and basic picnic tables, and the atmosphere is relaxed and unhurried.

Practical tip: Bring your own firewood and drinking water. The campground is basic but that's part of the charm.

Stevensons Falls Campground, the Otways#

Hidden in the Otways with over 50 sites, Stevensons Falls is a free bush campground that's usually quiet outside of peak weekends. The setting is lush fern gullies and tall timber, and the short walk to the falls is dog-friendly.

Practical tip: The Otways can be damp. Bring a groundsheet and expect morning fog — it burns off by mid-morning and the forest comes alive.

Cann River Rainforest Campground, East Gippsland#

Deep in East Gippsland, this free campground sits in genuine rainforest. The 48-hour stay limit keeps things rotating, and the canopy overhead means natural shade even in summer. Cold water only for washing, but the setting makes up for the lack of hot showers.

Practical tip: East Gippsland has tick and snake country. Check your dog thoroughly after walks, especially during the warmer months from October to March.

What to pack for camping with your dog in Victoria#

Standard camping gear won't cut it when you're bringing the dog. Here's what experienced dog campers won't leave home without:

• Long lead and ground stake — gives your dog room to move around camp without being attached to you every second
• Familiar bedding — a blanket or bed from home helps dogs settle in unfamiliar places
• Collapsible water bowl — dehydration is a real risk, especially on warm days
• Dog first-aid kit — tick remover, antiseptic, bandages, and your vet's number
• Poo bags — more than you think you'll need. Leave no trace means dog waste too
• Tick and flea prevention — essential for bush and coastal camping in Victoria
• Extra towels — for the inevitable wet, muddy, sandy dog situation
• Food and treats — enough for the trip plus a spare day, in a sealed container to keep wildlife out

If you're heading to a popular bookable campground like Johanna Beach or Banksia Bluff, set up a CampWatch alert to get notified when sites become available. The dog-friendly Parks Victoria campgrounds book out fast, and cancellations happen all the time — you just need to know about them.

Tips for a smooth camping trip with your dog#

Tire them out first. A well-exercised dog is a calm dog. Before you set up camp, take them for a solid walk. They'll settle faster and be less likely to bark at every possum rustling through the trees at 2am.

Stick to routine. Feed your dog at the same times you would at home. Bring their regular food — camping is not the time to experiment with a new brand.

Watch for snakes. Victoria has several venomous snake species, most active from October through March. Keep your dog on-lead on trails, stick to cleared paths, and know the nearest vet to your campground.

Check for 1080 poison baits. Some state forests use 1080 poison for fox and feral animal control. Check with Parks Victoria or the local DELWP office before camping in a state forest. Signs are usually posted, but it pays to ask.

Respect other campers. Not everyone loves dogs as much as you do. Keep your dog from wandering into neighbouring sites, clean up promptly, and manage barking. A tired, well-exercised dog at camp is a quiet dog at camp.

Frequently asked questions about pet friendly camping in Victoria#

Can I take my dog camping in Victorian national parks?#

Generally, no. Dogs are banned from almost all Victorian national parks to protect native wildlife. The exceptions are Johanna Beach and Lake Elizabeth in Great Otway National Park, and Jerusalem Creek in Lake Eildon National Park. Dogs must remain on-lead at all times. State forests and regional parks have more relaxed rules — check the Parks Victoria website for the full list.

Do dogs need to be on a lead at all Victorian campgrounds?#

Yes. Every dog-friendly campground in Victoria — whether national park, state forest, or regional park — requires dogs to be on-lead. There are no off-lead camping areas on public land. Some private campgrounds and Hipcamp properties offer enclosed areas where dogs can roam free, but these are the exception.

Can I get fined for having my dog off-lead at a campground?#

Yes. Parks Victoria can issue fines for off-lead dogs in on-lead areas, and for dogs found in restricted areas where they're not permitted. In cases where a dog impacts wildlife, the penalties escalate to potential court action and substantial fines.

What's the cheapest way to camp with a dog in Victoria?#

State forest campgrounds are your best bet — most are free, first-come first-served, and allow dogs on-lead. Blue Pools, Sheepyard Flat, Stevensons Falls, and Lerderderg are all free options covered in this guide. For Parks Victoria campgrounds, half-price camping fees apply from 1 July 2025 through to June 2027.

How do I find out when a dog-friendly campsite becomes available?#

The popular dog-friendly campgrounds in Victoria — especially Johanna Beach and Banksia Bluff — book out quickly during peak periods. Cancellations happen regularly, but checking manually every day is tedious. CampWatch monitors campground availability and sends you an SMS the moment a spot opens up, so you can book before someone else grabs it. It's free and takes about 30 seconds to set up.

Get out there with your dog#

Victoria might have stricter dog rules than other states, but there are still brilliant spots to camp with your four-legged friend. From the wild beach at Johanna to the river flats at Sheepyard Flat, from ancient rainforest at Cann River to the banksia-lined coast at Cape Conran — your dog doesn't have to miss out.

The key is knowing where dogs are welcome before you go. Bookmark the Parks Victoria dog-friendly camping page, pack the essentials, and give your dog the camping trip they've been waiting for.

And if the campground you want is booked out, don't stress. Set up a free alert on CampWatch and we'll text you the moment a site opens up. Your dog will thank you.