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. Victoria's national parks generally have strict dog restrictions, but there are specific exceptions, while state forests, regional parks and coastal parks can have more flexible site-specific rules.
We've tracked down 10 dog-friendly camping options across Victoria. For each one, check the current land-manager page before you go because dog controls, bookings, fees and seasonal access can change.
Quick rules: where dogs can and can't go in Victoria#
National parks: Dogs are prohibited from most Victorian national parks, but Parks Victoria lists limited dog-friendly areas. Camping examples include Johanna Beach and Lake Elizabeth in Great Otway National Park and Jerusalem Creek in Lake Eildon National Park. At those sites, dogs must be on-lead.
State forests: Dogs are welcome in Victorian state forests except Murrindindi Scenic Reserve. They can remain off-leash in many forest areas, but if you're camping or within 100 metres of visitor facilities such as carparks, picnic tables, toilets or fire pits, your dog must be on-leash or under immediate control. That means you must be able to call it back immediately even when distracted.
Regional and coastal parks: Rules vary. Some sites require leads, while others have designated off-leash arrangements. The current Paradise Beach page confirms dog-friendly camping but does not state a lead or off-leash rule, so carry a lead and check current site guidance and signage.
Always check the Parks Victoria dog-friendly parks page and the exact campground page before you travel.
Pet friendly campsites Victoria at a glance#
| Campground | Region | Cost | Dogs | Drive from Melbourne | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johanna Beach | Great Ocean Road | Fees apply | On-lead | ~3 hrs inland | Book via GORCAPA |
| Banksia Bluff | East Gippsland | Fees apply | On-lead at designated dog-friendly sites | ~5 hrs | Book via Parks Victoria |
| Paradise Beach | Gippsland Lakes | Fees apply | Dog-friendly; check current lead/control rule | ~3.5 hrs | Book via Parks Victoria |
| Lake Elizabeth | The Otways | Fees apply | On-lead | ~2.5 hrs | Book via Parks Victoria |
| Sheepyard Flat | Howqua Hills | Free | Follow current state-forest control rules | ~2.5 hrs | First-come |
| Jerusalem Creek | Lake Eildon | Fees apply | On-lead | ~2 hrs | Book via Parks Victoria |
| Lerderderg state-forest options | Near Bacchus Marsh | Free | On-leash or immediate control in visitor/camping areas | ~1 hr | Usually first-come |
| Blue Pools | Briagolong | Free | Follow current state-forest control rules | ~3 hrs | First-come |
| Stevensons Falls | The Otways | Free | Follow current state-forest control rules | ~2.5 hrs | First-come |
| Cann River state-forest camping | East Gippsland | Free | Follow current state-forest control rules | ~5.5 hrs | First-come |
Coastal pet friendly campsites in Victoria#
Johanna Beach Campground, Great Otway National Park#
Johanna Beach is one of Victoria's unusual dog-friendly national-park camping options. It has 25 unpowered campsites behind a wild surf beach, and dogs must be kept on-lead.
From 1 July 2026, Johanna Beach campground bookings moved from Parks Victoria to the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority (GORCAPA). Bookings are essential. Check the current Johanna Beach campground page before travelling.
Facilities: Non-flush toilets and basic campground facilities. Bring drinking water. Solid-fuel fires are not permitted.
Practical tip: Peak summer dates have minimum-stay rules, so check the live booking conditions rather than relying on an old release schedule.
Banksia Bluff Campground, Cape Conran Coastal Park#
Banksia Bluff sits in banksia forest behind the East Gippsland coast. Dogs are allowed on-lead at designated dog-friendly sites, not across every site in the campground.
Facilities: Basic showers, toilets and fireplaces; check current restrictions before using a fire.
Practical tip: Check the Parks Victoria site-selection information when booking so you choose a dog-permitted site.
Paradise Beach Campground, Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park#
Paradise Beach sits between the ocean and Lake Reeves and has 12 unpowered campsites. Parks Victoria's current site listing confirms that the campground is dog-friendly but does not state an off-leash rule. Carry a lead and check the current Paradise Beach page and local signage before travelling.
Facilities: Non-flush toilets and communal fireplaces. Fees apply.
Practical tip: The beach is exposed and Parks Victoria warns of rough surf and strong currents. Bring shade and water for your dog in warm weather.
Bush and river pet friendly campsites in Victoria#
Lake Elizabeth Campground, Great Otway National Park#
Lake Elizabeth is a dog-on-lead camping area in Great Otway National Park. It has 20 unpowered tent sites, with no direct vehicle access to the campsites; an unloading bay and nearby carpark are provided.
Facilities: Non-flush toilets, shared fireplaces and picnic tables.
Practical tip: Keep your dog on lead on the campground and walking tracks and check current fire conditions before using a fireplace.
Sheepyard Flat, Howqua Hills area#
Sheepyard Flat is a well-known free camping area in Victoria's High Country. Where the site is managed under state-forest rules, the important dog rule is not simply "on-lead everywhere": in camping and visitor areas dogs must be on-leash or under immediate control.
Facilities: Basic bush-camping facilities. Check the current land-manager listing before travel.
Practical tip: Free campgrounds can fill early on long weekends and school holidays.
Jerusalem Creek Campground, Lake Eildon National Park#
Jerusalem Creek is one of the national-park camping areas where dogs are explicitly permitted, but they must be on a lead at all times. Campsites are numbered and must be booked in advance.
Camping areas 1, 2 and 8 are open year-round. Areas 3–7 close seasonally after the King's Birthday long weekend and reopen before Melbourne Cup weekend, subject to conditions.
Facilities: Pit toilets and firepits.
Practical tip: Check which camping area is open before booking, particularly in winter and early spring.
Lerderderg and other state-forest camping#
Victorian state forests provide many free dog-friendly camping options. The statewide rule is that dogs are welcome in state forests except Murrindindi Scenic Reserve, but in camping and visitor areas they must be on-leash or under immediate control.
Check Victoria's current state-forest dog rules before your trip.
Free pet friendly campsites in Victoria#
Victoria has more than 300 free state-forest campgrounds. At those sites, follow the current state-forest dog rules rather than assuming every campground requires a physical lead at all times.
Blue Pools, Briagolong area#
Blue Pools is a popular Gippsland forest recreation area. Check the current forest listing for camping status, facilities and fire rules before relying on it for an overnight stay.
Stevensons Falls, the Otways#
Stevensons Falls is a free forest camping option in the Otways. Conditions can be damp and access can change after severe weather, so check the current forest listing before departure.
Cann River state-forest camping, East Gippsland#
East Gippsland has free state-forest camping options around Cann River. Check the exact campground and current conditions rather than relying on a generic town-level listing.
What to pack for camping with your dog in Victoria#
Standard camping gear won't cut it when you're bringing the dog. Useful additions include:
- Lead and secure tethering option — even where immediate-control rules apply, some locations require a lead
- Familiar bedding
- Collapsible water bowl and plenty of water
- Dog first-aid kit
- Poo bags
- Tick and flea prevention
- Extra towels
- Food for the trip plus a spare day
If you're heading to a popular bookable campground, CampWatch can monitor supported campground availability and notify you when a matching site opens.
Tips for a smooth camping trip with your dog#
Check the exact dog rule. Victoria has on-lead sites, immediate-control state-forest rules and some off-leash locations. Do not apply one campground's rule to another.
Watch for snakes and ticks. Keep your dog close, avoid long grass where practical, use appropriate parasite prevention and know where the nearest vet is.
Check baiting and pest-control notices. 1080 and other pest-control programs can create serious risks for dogs. Check the relevant land manager's current alerts and obey all warning signage.
Respect other campers and wildlife. Keep your dog from wandering into neighbouring sites, clean up after it and prevent chasing or disturbance of wildlife.
Get out there with your dog#
Victoria has good dog-friendly camping across selected national-park campgrounds, coastal parks and state forests, but the rules are not uniform. Check the current page for the exact campground, especially for lead requirements, seasonal closures, bookings and fees.
Bookmark the Parks Victoria dog-friendly parks page, and for state forests check the Victorian Government recreational rules.
If the campground you want is booked out, set up an alert on CampWatch for supported availability. Setting an alert uses no credit; check the current notification-credit terms.
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Can I take my dog camping in Victorian national parks?
Dogs are prohibited from most Victorian national parks, but Parks Victoria lists specific dog-friendly exceptions. Camping examples include Johanna Beach and Lake Elizabeth in Great Otway National Park and Jerusalem Creek in Lake Eildon National Park. Rules are site-specific, so check the current park page before travelling.
Do dogs need to be on a lead at all Victorian campgrounds?
No single rule applies to every dog-friendly campground. Johanna Beach, Lake Elizabeth, Banksia Bluff and Jerusalem Creek require dogs to be on a lead, while the current Paradise Beach page confirms dog-friendly camping without stating an off-leash rule. In Victorian state-forest camping and visitor areas, dogs must be on-leash or under immediate control. Always check the exact site.
Can I get fined for having my dog off-lead at a campground?
You can face penalties for taking a dog into a prohibited area or failing to comply with a site's dog-control rules. Because rules vary by park and campground, check the current land-manager page rather than assuming every public campground is on-lead.
What's the cheapest way to camp with a dog in Victoria?
Victorian state forests have many free campgrounds and generally welcome dogs, with the exception of Murrindindi Scenic Reserve. In camping and visitor areas dogs must be on-leash or under immediate control. Some managed Parks Victoria and Great Ocean Road sites charge camping fees, so check the current booking page for exact prices.
How do I find out when a dog-friendly campsite becomes available?
Popular dog-friendly campgrounds can book out during peak periods. CampWatch can monitor supported campground availability and send an SMS when a matching site opens up.