Beveridge Rest Area Southbound: a Convenient Free Camp

For travellers heading towards Melbourne along the Hume Freeway, the Beveridge Rest Area (Southbound) is a well-known and convenient stop for a quick break or an overnight stay. As one of the major rest areas before hitting the city’s outskirts, it offers a practical solution for managing fatigue and breaking up a long journey. Its ease of access, directly off the freeway, makes it a popular choice for caravan, motorhome, and RV users who need a safe and designated spot to park for up to 24 hours. The rest area is part of a larger service centre complex, which means essential services like fuel and food are just a short walk away, adding a layer of convenience not found at more isolated stops.

The site itself is a large, sealed area with ample room for big rigs to manoeuvre and park without feeling cramped. While the facilities are basic, they cover the essentials for an overnight stay. You’ll find public toilets, which are generally maintained to a reasonable standard, and rubbish bins to help keep the area tidy. There are no provisions for potable water or power, so travellers must be self-sufficient in this regard. It’s important to arrive with full water tanks and an alternative power source if required. The surface is mostly asphalt and relatively level, though carrying a set of levelling ramps is always a good practice. Given its location next to a major highway, some traffic noise is unavoidable, but for most, the convenience far outweighs this minor drawback. It serves as a functional, safe, and cost-effective stopover for the self-contained traveller.

GPS Coordinates: -37.497262792250766, 144.95891667117016

Site Information & Features

• Location: Directly off the Hume Freeway, southbound lane, Beveridge, Victoria.
• Site Suitable For: Fully self-contained RVs, caravans, motorhomes, camper trailers, and big rigs.
• Road Access: Sealed, easy access for all vehicle types directly from the highway.
• Site Surface: Asphalt and gravel sections.
• Camping Permitted: Yes, overnight stays are permitted.
• Maximum Overnight Stays: 24 hours.
• Facilities: Picnic tables.
• Potable Water: No. You must bring your own drinking water.
• Mobile Phone Coverage: Good coverage for Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone.
• TV Reception: Good digital TV reception.
• Onsite Public Toilets: Yes, toilet block available.
• Rubbish Bins: Yes, bins are provided.
• Open Fires: Not permitted.
• Generator Use: Permitted, but please be considerate of other campers.
• Number of Sites Available: Unmarked, approximately 20-30 informal spots depending on vehicle size.
• Essentials to Bring: Drinking water, food, levelling ramps, and toilet paper (just in case).
• Pet Friendly: Yes, pets are allowed but must be kept on a leash and cleaned up after.
• Fishing: No fishing available at this location.
• Short Walks: Plenty of space to walk around the rest area and stretch your legs.

Nearby Services & Attractions

• Local Pubs:
  • The Olde Beveridge Tavern – Approx. 4 km
  • The Kilmore Trackside – Approx. 18 km
  • Wallan Hotel – Approx. 12 km
• Places to Eat:
  • Hungry Jack’s & McDonald’s (at the service centre) – Approx. 200m walk
  • Beveridge Williams & Co. Cafe – Approx. 4 km
  • Various bakeries and cafes in Wallan – Approx. 12 km
• Local Attractions:
  • Ned Kelly’s Birthplace (Beveridge) – Approx. 4 km
  • Funfields Theme Park (Whittlesea) – Approx. 20 km
  • Mount Disappointment State Forest – Approx. 35 km
• Nearest Caravan Parks:
  • Big4 Melbourne Holiday Park (Coburg North) – Approx. 30 km
  • Hidden Valley Tourist Park (Wallan) – Approx. 14 km
• Next Free Camps:
  • Balmattum Rest Area Southbound – Approx. 115 km north
  • Seven Creeks Park (Euroa) – Approx. 100 km north
• Nearest Dump Points:
  • Wallan Public Dump Point – Approx. 12 km
  • Discovery Parks Melbourne (Braybrook) – Approx. 40 km
• Nearest Petrol Station: BP & Shell located at the service centre complex – Approx. 200m walk.
• Drinking Water Resupply: Available at most service stations for a fee, or at public dump points.
• Nearest Public Toilets: Onsite at the rest area.

Seasonal Weather Forecast

• Summer (Dec-Feb): Warm to hot days, typically ranging from 25°C to 35°C, with occasional heatwaves. Nights are mild.
• Autumn (Mar-May): Mild and pleasant days, typically 15°C to 25°C, with cooler nights.
• Winter (Jun-Aug): Cool to cold days, typically 10°C to 15°C, with cold nights that can approach freezing. Frost is common.
• Spring (Sep-Nov): Mild days with increasing warmth, typically 15°C to 22°C. Can be windy with variable conditions.