Experience the vast, open beauty of the Wimmera Mallee at Four Mile Beach, a legendary free camping destination on the shores of Victoria’s largest freshwater lake, Lake Hindmarsh. This sprawling campground offers a classic Australian bush camping experience, beloved by families, boaties, anglers, and travellers seeking a budget-friendly base to explore the region’s unique attractions. The main drawcard is the incredible sense of space; the campground is spread across a massive foreshore area, allowing campers in all types of setups—from big rigs and caravans to tents and swags—to find their own piece of lakeside serenity. The sandy beaches and shady trees create a perfect environment for a relaxing and memorable outback adventure.
When holding water, Lake Hindmarsh transforms into a vibrant hub for recreation. The boat ramps provide easy access for water skiing, jet skiing, and fishing boats, with the lake being a popular spot for catching Redfin and Yellowbelly. The sheer size of the reserve makes it a fantastic natural playground for kids to ride bikes and explore, and the pet-friendly policy means the whole family can come along. As a true bush camp, it encourages self-sufficiency, but basic facilities like non-flush toilets are provided. The campground’s location is a huge advantage, situated just a short drive from the historic town of Jeparit, the birthplace of Sir Robert Menzies. It also serves as an excellent base for exploring the southern end of the Silo Art Trail and the nearby Little Desert National Park. For a free camping experience that offers spectacular sunsets, a wealth of recreational opportunities, and a true sense of outback freedom, Four Mile Beach is an iconic Victorian destination.
Four Mile Beach Camping – VIC Location Map
Four Mile Beach, Lake Hindmarsh
- Address: Four Mile Beach Rd, Jeparit VIC 3423
- GPS: -36.133183637705436, 141.92832090302716
Site Details
- Location: Lakeside foreshore of a large, often dry, freshwater lake.
- Site Suitable For: Caravans, Motorhomes, Big Rigs, Camper Trailers, Tents.
- Road Access: Unsealed gravel/dirt road. Generally 2WD accessible but can be corrugated and affected by weather.
- Site Surface: Natural sand, grass, and dirt.
- Camping Permitted: Yes, free camping.
- Maximum Overnight Stays: No specified limit, but short to medium-term stays are expected.
- Facilities: Non-flush toilets, boat ramps. No power or showers.
- Potable Water: No. You must bring all your own drinking water.
- Mobile Phone Coverage: Good for Telstra, patchy for other carriers.
- TV Reception: Possible but can be unreliable.
- Onsite Public Toilets: Yes, non-flush (pit) toilets are available.
- Rubbish Bins: No. This is a strict carry-in, carry-out site.
- Open Fires: Permitted in contained fire pits, subject to seasonal fire restrictions. BYO firewood.
- Generator Use: Permitted, but please be considerate of other campers.
- Number of Sites Available: Very large, unmarked area with room for hundreds of campers.
- Essentials to Bring: Drinking water, firewood, rubbish bags, toilet paper, insect repellent.
- Pet Friendly: Yes, pets are welcome on a lead.
Activities
- Fishing: Fishing for Redfin and Yellowbelly when the lake has water.
- Short Walks: Enjoy leisurely walks along the vast and sandy foreshore.
- Boating: A popular destination for powerboating and water skiing when full.
Local Amenities
- Local Pubs:
- Jeparit Hotel – Approx. 10 km
- Hindmarsh Hotel (Jeparit) – Approx. 10 km
- Rainbow Hotel (Rainbow) – Approx. 30 km
- Places to Eat:
- Jeparit Hotel (Bistro) – Approx. 10 km
- Jeparit Cafe / Takeaway – Approx. 10 km
- Local Attractions:
- Wimmera-Mallee Pioneer Museum (Jeparit) – Approx. 10 km
- Silo Art Trail (Albacutya Silo) – Approx. 15 km
- Little Desert National Park – Approx. 45 km
- Nearest Caravan Parks:
- Jeparit Riverview Holiday Park – Approx. 10 km
- Rainbow Caravan Park – Approx. 30 km
- Next Free Camps:
- Wimmera River at Jeparit Bridge – Approx. 10 km
- Ackle Bend, Little Desert National Park (fees apply) – Approx. 45 km
- Nearest Dump Points:
- Jeparit Public Dump Point – Approx. 10 km
- Nearest Petrol Station:
- Drinking Water Resupply:
- Available in Jeparit township.
- Public Toilets:
- Available onsite (non-flush). Full facilities in Jeparit.
Seasonal Weather Forecast
- Summer (Dec-Feb): Hot and very dry, with average temperatures of 16-33°C.
- Autumn (Mar-May): Warm sunny days and cool nights, ideal for travel, averaging 9-26°C.
- Winter (Jun-Aug): Cool to cold, with frosty mornings and crisp days, averaging 4-15°C.
- Spring (Sep-Nov): Mild and pleasant, a great time to see wildflowers after rain, averaging 8-23°C.
