For a quintessential Victorian High Country adventure, the Blue Range Camping and Picnic Area is a magnificent and highly popular free campground located in the stunning Big River State Forest. This sprawling reserve, set amongst a unique landscape of towering pine plantations and native eucalypt forest, is a paradise for families, four-wheel drive enthusiasts, and anyone seeking an authentic bush escape. The campground offers a vast, open, and grassy area with an abundance of excellent, level sites suitable for all setups, from tents and swags to the largest caravans and motorhomes. The atmosphere is social and family-friendly, a place where the air is filled with the scent of campfires and the sounds of children playing, all set against a beautiful mountain backdrop.
The main appeal of Blue Range is its role as a premier base for High Country recreation. It is situated right at the northern arm of Lake Eildon, with the Big River flowing nearby, offering fantastic opportunities for fishing for trout and launching a kayak to explore the tranquil waters. The surrounding state forest is a playground for off-road adventurers, with a huge network of 4WD and trail bike tracks to explore, leading to historic sites and incredible lookouts. While it’s a free, back-to-basics camp, the site is well-serviced with non-flush toilets and shared fire pits. Its location is wonderfully remote yet remains accessible from the nearby town of Mansfield, making it a perfect weekend getaway. For a memorable, budget-friendly trip that combines waterside relaxation with thrilling forest adventures, Blue Range is one of the High Country’s most cherished destinations.
Blue Range Camping Area – VIC Location Map
Blue Range Camping and Picnic Area
- Address: Blue Range Rd, Bridge Creek VIC 3723
- GPS: -36.93666643756993, 146.09415071880022
- Website: This is a free campground in a State Forest. Information is available on the Parks Victoria website.
Site Details
- Location: Forest camp in the Big River State Forest, near Lake Eildon.
- Site Suitable For: Tents, Camper Trailers, Caravans, Motorhomes, Big Rigs.
- Road Access: Unsealed gravel road (Eildon-Jamieson Rd). Generally 2WD accessible with care but can be corrugated and slippery.
- Site Surface: Mostly grass and dirt.
- Camping Permitted: Yes, free camping.
- Maximum Overnight Stays: Please observe FFM Vic guidelines for State Forests.
- Facilities: Non-flush toilets, shared fire pits. No power or showers.
- Potable Water: No. You must bring your own drinking water.
- Mobile Phone Coverage: Very patchy to non-existent. A satellite messenger is recommended.
- 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: Permitted, but please be considerate of the natural setting and other campers.
- Number of Sites Available: Very large, unmarked area with many sites.
- Essentials to Bring: Drinking water, firewood, rubbish bags, toilet paper, insect repellent.
- Pet Friendly: Yes, pets are welcome on a lead in State Forest areas.
Activities
- Fishing: Excellent trout fishing in the nearby Big River and Goulburn River arms of Lake Eildon.
- Short Walks: Numerous bushwalking and 4WD tracks to explore in the surrounding forest.
- Boating & Kayaking: Proximity to boat ramps on Lake Eildon.
Local Amenities
- Local Pubs:
- The Commercial Hotel (Mansfield) – Approx. 40 km
- The Mansfield Hotel – Approx. 40 km
- Jamieson Hotel (Jamieson) – Approx. 45 km
- Places to Eat:
- Mansfield has an extensive range of cafes, bakeries, and restaurants – Approx. 40 km
- Jamieson Brewery & Grill – Approx. 45 km
- Local Attractions:
- Lake Eildon National Park – You are in it!
- High Country 4WD Tracks
- Mount Buller & Mount Stirling (seasonal) – Approx. 90 km
- Mansfield Zoo – Approx. 35 km
- Nearest Caravan Parks:
- Mansfield Holiday Park – Approx. 40 km
- Jamieson Caravan Park – Approx. 45 km
- Next Free Camps:
- Numerous other campsites along Big River Road and Howqua River (e.g., Sheepyard Flat).
- Grannys Flat Reserve (near Jamieson) – Approx. 40 km
- Nearest Dump Points:
- Mansfield Public Dump Point – Approx. 40 km
- Nearest Petrol Station:
- Mansfield has multiple 24-hour options – Approx. 40 km
- Drinking Water Resupply:
- Available in Mansfield or Jamieson.
- Public Toilets:
- Available onsite (non-flush).
Seasonal Weather Forecast
- Summer (Dec-Feb): Warm to hot days with cool mountain nights. Averaging 12-28°C.
- Autumn (Mar-May): Mild, sunny days and cool nights, the peak season for autumn foliage and 4WDing. Averaging 7-22°C.
- Winter (Jun-Nov): Cold, with frequent frosts and a high chance of snow. Roads can be subject to seasonal closures.
- Spring (Nov-Dec): Cool to mild as tracks reopen, with rivers running high. Averaging 5-19°C.
