For an exceptional free camping experience in the heart of Victoria’s High Country, Kendalls Campground is a legendary destination for adventurous travellers. This vast and beautiful reserve, nestled in a serene valley on the banks of the pristine Rubicon River, is a paradise for families, four-wheel drive enthusiasts, anglers, and anyone looking to immerse themselves in a magnificent forest landscape. As one of the largest and most popular campgrounds in the Rubicon State Forest, it offers an abundance of spacious, grassy, and well-shaded sites suitable for all setups, from tents and swags to large caravans and motorhomes. The atmosphere is famously social and family-friendly, a place where the air is filled with the scent of campfires and the sounds of the rushing river.
The main attraction of Kendalls is its incredible natural setting and access to a huge range of outdoor activities. The crystal-clear Rubicon River is a major highlight, renowned for its excellent trout fishing and offering numerous deep pools and shallow rapids perfect for a refreshing swim or a lazy float on a lilo. The campground is a premier launchpad for exploring the extensive network of 4WD and trail bike tracks that crisscross the surrounding ranges, leading to historic sites and offering challenging and scenic drives. While it’s a free, back-to-basics camp, the site is well-serviced with essential non-flush toilets and shared fire pits. Its location feels wonderfully remote yet is just a short drive from the towns of Thornton and Eildon for supplies, and is on the doorstep of the massive Lake Eildon waterway. For a memorable, budget-friendly adventure that truly captures the spirit of High Country camping, Kendalls is an unmissable destination.
Kendalls Campground – VIC Location Map
Kendalls Campground
- Address: 585 Rubicon Rd, Rubicon VIC 3712
- GPS: -37.309944, 145.851440
Site Details
- Location: Riverside bush camp in the Rubicon State Forest.
- Site Suitable For: Tents, Camper Trailers, Caravans, Motorhomes, Big Rigs.
- Road Access: Unsealed gravel road (Rubicon Rd). Generally 2WD accessible with care but can be corrugated, narrow, and slippery when wet.
- Site Surface: Mostly grass and dirt.
- Camping Permitted: Yes, free camping.
- Maximum Overnight Stays: Please observe FFM Vic guidelines.
- Facilities: Non-flush toilets, shared fire pits. No power or showers.
- Potable Water: No. You must bring your own drinking water or have a reliable purification system.
- 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, fishing gear.
- Pet Friendly: Yes, pets are welcome on a lead in State Forest areas.
Activities
- Fishing: Excellent trout fishing in the Rubicon River.
- Short Walks: Numerous bushwalking and 4WD tracks to explore in the surrounding forest.
- 4WD & Trail Bike Riding: The Rubicon Valley is a premier destination for off-road enthusiasts.
Local Amenities
- Local Pubs:
- Rubicon Hotel (Thornton) – Approx. 20 km
- The Thornton Hotel – Approx. 20 km
- The Eildon Hotel – Approx. 25 km
- Places to Eat:
- Thornton Butcher & Bakery – Approx. 20 km
- Numerous cafes and pubs in Eildon – Approx. 25 km
- Alexandra has extensive options – Approx. 30 km
- Local Attractions:
- Rubicon Hydroelectric Scheme Historic Area – Nearby
- Lake Eildon National Park – Approx. 25 km
- Snobs Creek Falls – Approx. 20 km
- Cathedral Range State Park – Approx. 40 km
- Nearest Caravan Parks:
- Thornton Caravan Park – Approx. 20 km
- Eildon Pondage Holiday Park – Approx. 25 km
- Next Free Camps:
- Numerous other smaller camps along the Rubicon and Big River roads.
- Blue Range Camping Area – Approx. 40 km
- Nearest Dump Points:
- Eildon Public Dump Point – Approx. 25 km
- Nearest Petrol Station:
- Thornton – Approx. 20 km
- Eildon – Approx. 25 km
- Drinking Water Resupply:
- Available in Thornton, Eildon, or Alexandra.
- Public Toilets:
- Available onsite (non-flush).
Seasonal Weather Forecast
- Summer (Dec-Feb): Warm days with cool mountain nights, perfect for swimming. Averaging 12-28°C.
- Autumn (Mar-May): Mild, sunny days and cool nights, the peak season for autumn colours and 4WDing. Averaging 7-22°C.
- Winter (Jun-Nov): Cold, with frequent frosts and a high chance of snow on nearby peaks. Roads can be subject to seasonal closures.
- Spring (Nov-Dec): Cool to mild as tracks reopen, with rivers running high. Averaging 5-19°C.