Bear Gully Campground

Bear Gully Campground occupies a Banksia-shaded terrace above Waratah Bay in Cape Liptrap Coastal Park, with views towards Wilsons Promontory. It is a compact coastal bush campground with basic amenities and a rocky, unpatrolled beach—not a caravan park or a safe-swimming resort.

Sites and the coastal setting#

There are 32 unpowered sites, each capped at six people. Parks Victoria says 30 sites are suitable for camper trailers or medium caravans, but the individual dimensions and surrounding trees differ. Check the live map for length, width and turning room, including tow vehicle, drawbar and awning.

The campground is about 2.5 hours southeast of Melbourne and is reached via Walkerville South Road and Bear Gully Road. Parks Victoria lists 2WD access. Coastal weather can still affect the final road and soft ground, so review current conditions on the official page before departure.

For a caravan, favour a site whose dimensions leave room to manoeuvre without pushing into vegetation. For a tent, balance shade against damp ground and falling twigs after rough weather. Neither the 2WD designation nor the number of caravan-capable sites guarantees that every pitch will work for every setup.

Facilities, fires and cultural protection#

Facilities are limited to non-flush toilets, picnic tables and shared fireplaces. There is no drinking water; bring enough for drinking, cooking and washing. Firewood must also be brought in because collecting it from the park damages habitat. Fires belong only in the designated communal fireplaces and remain subject to total fire bans and local restrictions.

Camping permits protect both the environment and the area's cultural values. Stay within the numbered site, do not dig drains or disturb the ground beyond placing tent pegs, and take all rubbish out. Dogs and other pets are prohibited. The campground closes on catastrophic fire-danger days, so check the forecast and park alerts rather than assuming a booking guarantees access.

Beach access and things to do#

The beach below camp is scenic for walking, rockpooling, fishing and watching the surf. It is unpatrolled, and Parks Victoria does not recommend swimming there. Sandy Point and Venus Bay are the nearby patrolled-beach alternatives to investigate when patrols are operating.

This is a good base for a low-key coast weekend, especially if shade and wave sound matter more than power or showers. Dense Banksia can reduce sun on solar panels, while exposed sites may catch more coastal weather. Fishing conditions and rock platforms change with swell and tide, so assess them on the day.

What campers say#

Recent public feedback is unusually useful here. A Wanderlog aggregation of Google reviews includes a substantial sample through 2025. The recurring practical themes are:

• Site sizes and shade vary noticeably; shaded pitches can limit solar charging.
• The dark soil can become sticky and muddy after rain, making a groundsheet and suitable pegs worthwhile.
• Wombats, wallabies and birdlife are commonly seen; store food securely and never feed wildlife.
• The beach is close enough for wave noise, but its rocks and surf make it a poor substitute for a swimming beach.
• Shared fireplaces are limited and not attached to every site, so cooking plans should not depend on securing one.
• Mobile reports vary, with some Telstra reception near the beach; download maps and confirmations anyway.

Reviews that call the campground free are out of date. Current booking fees, rules and facilities must come from Parks Victoria rather than traveller posts.

The review sample is large enough to show recurring trade-offs, but it still cannot predict the condition of a toilet block, the mud after a particular storm or reception on a particular handset. Treat those items as preparation prompts rather than promises.

Booking Bear Gully Campground#

An advance booking and camping permit are required through the Parks Victoria booking page. Check exact site dimensions, beach expectations, fire status and the weather before paying.

If the right shaded or rig-sized site is unavailable, CampWatch can monitor supported dates for a cancellation while you compare other Cape Liptrap options.