For a magnificent free camping experience on the shores of Victoria’s High Country playground, Harrops Flats Campground is a premier destination within the Lake Eildon National Park. This spacious and highly popular bush camp offers the perfect combination of a serene, natural setting with direct access to the vast, beautiful waters of Lake Eildon. It is a true paradise for boating families, water skiers, anglers, and anyone seeking an adventurous yet relaxing escape. The campground is set in a large, open, grassy valley surrounded by the rugged, eucalypt-covered hills of the national park, providing a stunning backdrop. The unmarked sites offer an abundance of space, making it ideal for groups and all types of setups, from tents and swags to camper trailers and off-road caravans.
The main drawcard of Harrops Flats is its fantastic lakeside location. A dedicated boat ramp directly within the campground makes it incredibly easy to launch a vessel and explore the endless coves and arms of Lake Eildon. The area is a hotspot for water sports of all kinds, and the fishing is legendary, with the lake being one of Victoria’s best fisheries for Murray Cod, Golden Perch, and Trout. The surrounding forest is a haven for wildlife, with kangaroos, wallabies, and wombats being common evening visitors to the campground. As a back-to-basics bush camp, it encourages a self-sufficient style of travel, with the simple facilities perfectly matching the remote and rugged atmosphere. Its location, while feeling wonderfully secluded, is still accessible from the main tourist hub of Mansfield, making it a perfect weekend getaway. For an unforgettable waterside adventure in a spectacular High Country setting, Harrops Flats is one of Lake Eildon’s most cherished free camps.
Harrops Flats Campground – VIC Location Map
Harrops Flats Campground
- Address: Delatite Plantation Rd, Lake Eildon VIC 3713
- GPS: -37.12480128684958, 145.93871703501694
- Website: This is a free campground in a National Park. Information is available on the Parks Victoria website.
Site Details
- Location: Lakeside bush camp in Lake Eildon National Park.
- Site Suitable For: Tents, Camper Trailers, Off-road Caravans, and Motorhomes.
- Road Access: Unsealed gravel road. Can be steep and rough in sections. 4WD is recommended, especially when towing or after rain.
- Site Surface: Mostly grass and dirt.
- Camping Permitted: Yes, free camping.
- Maximum Overnight Stays: Please observe Parks Victoria guidelines.
- Facilities: Non-flush toilets, shared fire pits, boat ramp. No power or showers.
- Potable Water: No. You must bring all your own drinking water.
- Mobile Phone Coverage: Very patchy 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 fireplaces 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, boat/kayak, fishing gear.
- Pet Friendly: No. Pets are not permitted in Lake Eildon National Park.
Activities
- Fishing: A premier destination for Murray Cod, Golden Perch, and Trout.
- Short Walks: Numerous bushwalking and 4WD tracks to explore in the surrounding park.
- Boating & Water Skiing: The onsite boat ramp provides direct access to the massive Lake Eildon.
Local Amenities
- Local Pubs:
- The Commercial Hotel (Mansfield) – Approx. 38 km
- The Mansfield Hotel – Approx. 38 km
- Jamieson Hotel (Jamieson) – Approx. 48 km
- Places to Eat:
- Mansfield has an extensive range of cafes, bakeries, and restaurants – Approx. 38 km
- Local Attractions:
- Lake Eildon – You are on it!
- High Country 4WD Tracks
- Mount Buller & Mount Stirling (seasonal) – Approx. 88 km
- Mansfield Zoo – Approx. 33 km
- Nearest Caravan Parks:
- Mansfield Holiday Park – Approx. 38 km
- Jamieson Caravan Park – Approx. 48 km
- Next Free Camps:
- The Orchard Campground (Lake Eildon NP, requires booking/fees) – Approx. 3 km
- Long Gully Campground (Lake Eildon NP) – Approx. 2 km
- Nearest Dump Points:
- Mansfield Public Dump Point – Approx. 38 km
- Nearest Petrol Station:
- Mansfield has multiple 24-hour options – Approx. 38 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, perfect for water sports. Averaging 12-28°C.
- Autumn (Mar-May): Mild, sunny days and cool nights, the peak season for autumn foliage and fishing. Averaging 7-22°C.
- Winter (Jun-Aug): Cold, with frequent frosts and a chance of snow on nearby peaks. Averaging 1-12°C.
- Spring (Sep-Nov): Cool to mild, with the lake levels rising and the countryside green and lush. Averaging 5-19°C.