For the dedicated High Country adventurer, Kirby’s Campground is a spectacular free camping destination, offering a remote and rugged experience on a secluded arm of Lake Eildon. This is a classic bush camp for the well-prepared and self-sufficient, accessible only by four-wheel drive, and it rewards travellers with incredible scenery, solitude, and direct access to the magnificent waters of the lake. Tucked away in a beautiful clearing within the Lake Eildon National Park, the campground is surrounded by the steep, forested slopes of the Victorian High Country. The spacious, unmarked sites are spread across a grassy flat, providing a fantastic base for campers in tents, swags, and rugged off-road camper trailers. The journey in over challenging 4WD tracks is part of the appeal, ensuring that those who make it are treated to a truly peaceful and pristine environment.
The main attraction of Kirby’s is its incredible isolation and prime lakeside position. The campground sits right on the edge of the Goulburn River arm of Lake Eildon, making it a dream destination for boaties and anglers. You can launch a small boat or kayak directly from the shore and spend your days exploring the vast waterways or chasing the lake’s legendary Murray Cod, Golden Perch, and Trout. The surrounding national park is a haven for wildlife and offers a network of challenging 4WD tracks for further exploration. As a remote, back-to-basics camp, facilities are minimal, reinforcing the need for complete self-reliance. Its distance from any major town means you must bring all your own supplies, but the reward is a genuine escape from civilisation, with peaceful days and brilliant, starry nights. For an authentic High Country adventure that combines the thrill of off-roading with world-class fishing and boating, Kirby’s Campground is a top-tier destination.
Kirby’s Campground – VIC Location Map
Kirbys Campground
- Address: Lake Eildon VIC 3713 (Accessed via Kirbys Track)
- GPS: -37.15788418200339, 145.99159661025732
- Website: This is a free campground in a National Park. Information is available on the Parks Victoria website.
Site Details
- Location: Remote lakeside camp in Lake Eildon National Park.
- Site Suitable For: Tents, Swags, and rugged Off-road Camper Trailers.
- Road Access: Difficult 4WD tracks only. Steep, rocky, and slippery sections. Vehicle recovery gear and experience are essential. Tracks are subject to seasonal closures.
- Site Surface: Natural grass and dirt base.
- Camping Permitted: Yes, free camping.
- Maximum Overnight Stays: Please observe Parks Victoria guidelines.
- Facilities: Non-flush toilets, shared fire pits. No power or showers.
- Potable Water: No. You must bring all your own water or have a reliable purification system.
- Mobile Phone Coverage: Non-existent. A satellite phone or personal locator beacon (PLB) is essential.
- TV Reception: Not applicable.
- 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 be considerate of the wilderness values.
- Number of Sites Available: Large, unmarked area with plenty of space.
- Essentials to Bring: PLB/Sat Phone, extra fuel, all water and food, full vehicle recovery gear, shovel, firewood, rubbish bags.
- 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: Explore the numerous remote bush tracks and the lake’s shoreline.
- Boating & Kayaking: Direct access to launch small watercraft from the shore.
Local Amenities
- Local Pubs:
- The Jamieson Hotel (Jamieson) – Approx. 25 km (via 4WD tracks and main roads)
- The Courthouse Hotel (Jamieson) – Approx. 25 km
- The Commercial Hotel (Mansfield) – Approx. 55 km
- Places to Eat:
- Jamieson Brewery & Grill – Approx. 25 km
- Extensive options in Mansfield – Approx. 55 km
- Local Attractions:
- Lake Eildon – You are on it!
- High Country 4WD Tracks
- Historic town of Jamieson – Approx. 25 km
- Nearest Caravan Parks:
- Jamieson Caravan Park – Approx. 25 km
- Mansfield Holiday Park – Approx. 55 km
- Next Free Camps:
- Numerous other sites in the surrounding State Forest areas (e.g., Big River, Howqua River).
- Nearest Dump Points:
- Mansfield Public Dump Point – Approx. 55 km
- Nearest Petrol Station:
- Jamieson (check hours) – Approx. 25 km
- Mansfield has multiple 24-hour options – Approx. 55 km
- Drinking Water Resupply:
- Available in Jamieson or Mansfield.
- 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 4WDing. Averaging 7-22°C.
- Winter (Jun-Nov): Cold, with frequent frosts and a high chance of snow. Roads are often seasonally closed.
- Spring (Nov-Dec): Cool to mild as tracks reopen, with the lake levels often at their best. Averaging 5-19°C.
