Boar Gully Campground | Brisbane Ranges National Park Bush Camping

Escape to the rugged beauty of the Brisbane Ranges National Park with a stay at Boar Gully Campground, the park’s premier vehicle-accessible camping destination. This fantastic bush camp offers an immersive natural experience, placing you in the heart of one of Victoria’s most ecologically significant regions, renowned for its stunning spring wildflower displays and abundant native wildlife. Nestled in a peaceful, secluded valley, Boar Gully provides a classic back-to-basics camping experience perfect for self-sufficient travellers, families, and hikers. The individually marked campsites are well-spaced amongst the native eucalyptus forest, offering a good sense of privacy and a true connection to the surrounding wilderness. It’s a place to disconnect from technology, listen to the chorus of kookaburras, and watch kangaroos and wallabies graze peacefully at dusk.

Boar Gully is the ultimate base for exploring the diverse landscapes of the Brisbane Ranges. Several excellent walking tracks start directly from the campground, leading you through rocky gorges, along tranquil creeks, and up to lookouts with impressive views. The park is a haven for birdwatchers and nature photographers, with koalas, echidnas, and a vast array of bird species frequently sighted. As a designated Parks Victoria campground, bookings are required, ensuring you have a guaranteed spot in this popular location. The facilities are simple but well-maintained, catering to those who appreciate the rustic charm of bush camping. While it feels a world away from the city, the campground is surprisingly accessible, located less than an hour from Geelong and just over an hour from Melbourne. For an authentic and memorable bush adventure that showcases the unique flora and fauna of the Victorian bush, Boar Gully Campground is an exceptional choice.

Campground Information

• Name: Boar Gully Campground
• Address: Switch Rd, Balliang VIC 3340 (within Brisbane Ranges National Park)

Location Coordinates

• GPS: -37.767000396547495, 144.2628767663285

Website

• Website: Parks Victoria – Boar Gully Campground

Location Map

Site Details

• Location: Secluded bush camp within the Brisbane Ranges National Park.
• Site Suitable For: Tents, Camper Trailers, small Caravans and Motorhomes.
• Road Access: Unsealed gravel/dirt road (Switch Rd). Generally 2WD accessible but can be rough or slippery when wet.
• Site Surface: Dirt and gravel.
• Camping Permitted: Yes, bookings and fees are required via the Parks Victoria website.
• Maximum Overnight Stays: Check Parks Victoria guidelines for booking limits.
• Facilities: Non-flush toilets, shared picnic shelter, wood fire pits/BBQs. No showers or power.
• Potable Water: No. You must bring your own drinking water.
• Mobile Phone Coverage: Very limited to non-existent.
• TV Reception: Unlikely.
• Onsite Public Toilets: Yes, non-flush (pit) toilets.
• Rubbish Bins: No. This is a strict carry-in, carry-out site.
• Open Fires: Permitted in designated fire pits only, subject to seasonal fire restrictions. BYO firewood.
• Generator Use: Not permitted in this campground.
• Number of Sites Available: 9 designated, bookable sites.
• Essentials to Bring: Drinking water, firewood, toilet paper, rubbish bags, sturdy walking shoes.
• Pet Friendly: No. Pets are not permitted in the Brisbane Ranges National Park.

Activities

• Fishing: Not applicable.
• Short Walks: Excellent bushwalking, with several trails starting from or near the campground (e.g., the Wadawurrung Walk).
• Wildlife Watching: A prime location for spotting kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, echidnas, and abundant birdlife.

Local Amenities

• Local Pubs:
  • Anakie Hotel (Anakie) – Approx. 18 km
  • Meredith Hotel (Meredith) – Approx. 25 km
  • Lal Lal Falls Hotel (Lal Lal) – Approx. 28 km
• Places to Eat:
  • Anakie General Store (Takeaway) – Approx. 18 km
  • Meredith Hotel (Bistro) – Approx. 25 km
• Local Attractions:
  • Brisbane Ranges National Park walking tracks – Onsite
  • Fairy Park (Anakie) – Approx. 20 km
  • Steiglitz Historic Park – Approx. 25 km
  • Bunjil’s Lookout – Approx. 20 km
• Nearest Caravan Parks:
  • Meredith Caravan Park – Approx. 25 km
  • Ballan Caravan Park – Approx. 35 km
• Next Free Camps:
  • Bunjil’s Lookout – Approx. 20 km
  • Meredith Park Camping Ground (on the reservoir) – Approx. 27 km
• Nearest Dump Points:
  • Bannockburn Public Dump Point – Approx. 30 km
  • Ballan Public Dump Point – Approx. 35 km
• Nearest Petrol Station:
  • Anakie – Approx. 18 km
  • Meredith – Approx. 25 km
• Drinking Water Resupply:
  • Available in nearby towns like Anakie, Meredith, or Bannockburn.
• Public Toilets:
  • Available onsite (non-flush).

Seasonal Weather Forecast

• Summer (Dec-Feb): Warm to hot and very dry, averaging 14-29°C. High fire danger season.
• Autumn (Mar-May): Mild, clear days and cool nights, ideal for walking, averaging 9-23°C.
• Winter (Jun-Aug): Cold and can be damp, with frequent frosts, averaging 4-13°C.
• Spring (Sep-Nov): Cool to mild, the best time for wildflowers, but weather can be changeable. Averaging 7-20°C.