Experience a truly unique and authentic Australian Mallee getaway at the Mallee Bush Retreat, an award-winning accommodation and camping ground located on the stunning shores of Lake Lascelles in Hopetoun. This is not your standard caravan park; it’s a community-built project that offers a memorable stay with its innovative and rustic accommodation options. The retreat’s standout features are its creatively repurposed grain silos, which have been transformed into comfortable and quirky self-contained units. For a different but equally rustic experience, you can stay in the charming cow sheds or the authentic stables, all thoughtfully fitted out to provide a comfortable and unique lodging experience. This innovative approach to accommodation perfectly captures the agricultural spirit of the Mallee region.
Beyond the unique buildings, the Mallee Bush Retreat also caters to traditional campers and caravanners with a selection of powered and unpowered sites set in a natural, spacious environment. The heart of the retreat is the impressive central amenities block, featuring a large camp kitchen, dining area, and a welcoming communal open fireplace that becomes a social hub on cooler evenings. The retreat’s prime location on Lake Lascelles provides a fantastic natural playground. The lake is perfect for swimming, fishing, kayaking, and boating, with a small sandy beach that is ideal for families. A scenic walking track encircles the lake, offering beautiful views and opportunities for birdwatching. The Mallee Bush Retreat provides an affordable, comfortable, and unforgettable base for exploring the Silo Art Trail, Wyperfeld National Park, and the vast, open landscapes that define this beautiful and resilient part of Victoria. It’s an experience that combines community spirit with the tranquility of the Australian bush.
Mallee Bush Retreat – VIC Location Map
Mallee Bush Retreat
- Address: 1 Austin St, Hopetoun VIC 3396
- GPS: -35.726430448291815, 142.36927885767705
- Website: visithopetoun.com.au/mallee-bush-retreat
Site Details
- Location: Lakeside position on the edge of Hopetoun, adjacent to Lake Lascelles.
- Site Suitable For: Unique silo/stable/shed stays, Caravans, Motorhomes, Big Rigs, Camper Trailers, Tents.
- Road Access: Sealed road access.
- Site Surface: Gravel and grass sites.
- Camping Permitted: Yes, powered and unpowered sites available.
- Maximum Overnight Stays: Check with management, generally standard holiday stays.
- Facilities: Large communal camp kitchen/dining hall, amenities block, BBQs, communal fire pit, laundry.
- Potable Water: Yes, available.
- Mobile Phone Coverage: Good for Telstra, other carriers may be limited.
- TV Reception: Good digital TV reception.
- Onsite Public Toilets: Yes, for guests.
- Rubbish Bins: Yes.
- Open Fires: Permitted in the large central communal fireplace and designated personal fire pits, subject to fire restrictions.
- Generator Use: Permitted in unpowered areas during designated hours. Confirm with management.
- Number of Sites Available: Good number of sites, but unique accommodation books out far in advance.
- Essentials to Bring: Bedding/linen for unique stays (confirm when booking), firewood, swimmers, fishing rod.
- Pet Friendly: Yes, pets are permitted on campsites. Not allowed inside the silo/shed accommodation. Conditions apply.
Activities
- Fishing: Fishing for Golden Perch and Redfin in Lake Lascelles.
- Short Walks: A 4.5km walking/cycling track encircles Lake Lascelles.
- Boating & Kayaking: The lake is suitable for small boats, kayaks, and paddleboards.
Local Amenities
- Local Pubs:
- Hopetoun Community Hotel & Motel – Approx. 1 km
- The Creekside Hotel (Warracknabeal) – Approx. 50 km
- The Royal Mail Hotel (Wycheproof) – Approx. 85 km
- Places to Eat:
- Hopetoun Community Hotel (Bistro) – Approx. 1 km
- Hopetoun Cafe & Takeaway – Approx. 1 km
- Local Attractions:
- Lake Lascelles – Adjacent
- Silo Art Trail (Sheep Hills Silo) – Approx. 55 km
- Wyperfeld National Park – Approx. 60 km
- Hopetoun’s Corrong Homestead – Approx. 2 km
- Nearest Caravan Parks:
- Beulah Caravan Park – Approx. 30 km
- Warracknabeal Caravan Park – Approx. 50 km
- Next Free Camps:
- Lake Coorong Camping Area – Approx. 35 km
- Tchum Lake – Approx. 65 km
- Nearest Dump Points:
- Located onsite at the Mallee Bush Retreat.
- Nearest Petrol Station:
- Service station in Hopetoun – Approx. 1 km
- Drinking Water Resupply:
- Available onsite for guests.
- Public Toilets:
- Available onsite for guests. Public toilets also available in Hopetoun town centre.
Seasonal Weather Forecast
- Summer (Dec-Feb): Hot and very dry, perfect for lake activities, with average temperatures of 15-33°C.
- Autumn (Mar-May): Warm sunny days and cool nights, ideal for walking and exploring, averaging 9-26°C.
- Winter (Jun-Aug): Cold and crisp, with frosty mornings and cool but often sunny days, averaging 4-15°C.
- Spring (Sep-Nov): Mild and pleasant, a great time to see the Mallee wildflowers, averaging 8-23°C.