Discover Larni Yirrip Campground, a unique and culturally significant site located in the Greater Bendigo National Park at Big Hill. Developed in partnership with the Dja Dja Wurrung, this campground’s name means “Home of the Ironbarks” and it serves as a wonderful introduction to the local Indigenous culture, with interpretive artwork and storytelling elements.
It is crucial to note that **Larni Yirrip is a tents-only, walk-in campground.** It is not suitable for caravans, camper trailers, motorhomes, or rooftop tents, as the 12 designated campsites are accessed via a short walk from a central car park (4m to 70m). This design creates a peaceful, immersive bush experience. The campground is well-equipped, offering picnic tables, fire pits, and non-flushing toilets. A large communal shelter with seating and a cooking area is also available.
This is **not a free camp; bookings are required** and can be made through the Parks Victoria website. As a ‘Leave No Trace’ site, you must take all your rubbish with you. There are rainwater tanks for handwashing, but this water is **not potable**, so you must bring all your own drinking water. Firewood collection is not permitted, so you must bring your own milled firewood.
Being a National Park, **dogs and other pets are strictly not permitted.** The campground is a perfect base for bushwalkers and cyclists, as it connects directly to the famous Goldfields Track and the trail network around the adjacent Crusoe Reservoir and Number 7 Park. At the reservoir (managed by the City of Greater Bendigo), visitors can enjoy swimming, fishing, and non-powered water sports.
Larni Yirrip Campground – VIC Location Map
Larni Yirrip Campground
- Address: Access via Mandurang, Big Hill VIC 3555, Australia
- GPS Coordinates: -36.82933, 144.23355
Site Features
- Location: Greater Bendigo National Park, adjacent to Crusoe Reservoir.
- Site suitable for: TENTS ONLY (walk-in). Strictly no caravans, camper trailers, or vehicles at sites.
- Road access: Good unsealed road to a central car park. Campsites are walk-in (4m to 70m).
- Site surface: Compacted gravel pads or raised tent platforms.
- Camping permitted: Yes, bookings are required via Parks Victoria.
- Maximum overnight stays: As per booking (max 6 people per site).
- Picnic tables: Yes, at each site and in the communal shelter.
- Potable water: No. Non-potable water is available for handwashing only.
- Mobile phone coverage: Patchy to good, depending on your carrier.
- TV reception: Poor to non-existent.
- Onsite public toilets: Yes, non-flushing toilets are available.
- Rubbish bins: No. This is a strict ‘Leave No Trace’ site. You must take all rubbish with you.
- Open fires: Permitted in designated fireplaces only (outside of fire ban season). You must bring your own firewood.
- Generator use: Not permitted.
- Number of sites available: 12 designated walk-in tent sites.
- Essentials to bring: Tent, drinking water, firewood, rubbish bags.
- Pet friendly: NO. Strictly no dogs or other pets are permitted (National Park rules).
- Fishing: Not at the campground, but permitted at the adjacent Crusoe Reservoir.
- Short walks: Yes, connects directly to the Goldfields Track and trails around Crusoe Reservoir.
Local Amenities
The nearest suburb for supplies is Kangaroo Flat (approx. 5-10km). The nearest major city is Bendigo (approx. 10-12km).
Food & Drink
- Local Pubs: Kangaroo Flat Hotel (Kangaroo Flat, approx. 6km), Windermere Hotel (Kangaroo Flat, approx. 6km), The Hibernian (Golden Square, approx. 8km).
- Places to Eat: Supermarkets, bakeries, and takeaway shops in Kangaroo Flat. Extensive options in Bendigo CBD.
Attractions & Activities
- Local Attractions: Crusoe Reservoir & Number 7 Park (adjacent, for swimming, fishing, walking), Goldfields Track (on site), Big Hill Lookout (approx. 5km), Central Deborah Gold Mine (Bendigo, approx. 11km).
Caravan & Camping
- Nearest Caravan Parks: A-Line Holiday Village (Big Hill, approx. 4km), NRMA Ballarat Holiday Park (Ballarat, approx. 10km), BIG4 Bendigo Marong (Marong, approx. 20km).
- Next Free Camps: This is a paid/booked site. Dispersed free camping is available in the nearby Marong State Forest (e.g., Bullock Campground, approx. 20km).
- Nearest Dump Points: Bendigo Showground Dump Point (Holmes Rd, North Bendigo, approx. 14km – free, public access).
- Nearest Petrol Station: BP Kangaroo Flat (172 High St, Kangaroo Flat, approx. 6km).
- Drinking Water Resupply: Supermarkets in Kangaroo Flat or public taps in Bendigo (e.g., Lake Weeroona or Eaglehawk).
- Nearest Public Toilets: Kangaroo Flat (Gateway Rotary Park, Calder Hwy, approx. 6km).
Seasonal Weather Forecast: Big Hill / Bendigo, VIC
The climate is seasonal, with warm to hot summers and cool winters.
- Summer (December – February): Average highs are around 29-30°C, with hot, dry days common.
- Autumn (March – May): Mild, clear days with average highs dropping from 26°C to 17°C.
- Winter (June – August): Cool and partly cloudy, with average highs around 12-14°C and cold nights with frequent frost (average lows of 3-4°C).
- Spring (September – November): Mild and becoming warmer, but can be unsettled with wind and rain as the weather transitions.