For the dedicated four-wheel drive adventurer seeking the ultimate High Country challenge and seclusion, Tin Hut is an iconic destination offering a truly remote and rewarding free camping experience. This is not a campground for the casual visitor; it is a legendary landmark deep within the Rubicon State Forest, a place earned through navigating challenging off-road tracks. The journey itself is a core part of the adventure, requiring a high-clearance 4WD to conquer steep, rocky, and often slippery terrain. The prize is arriving at a stunning, high-altitude clearing, home to the historic Tin Hut and surrounded by the breathtaking, rugged beauty of the Victorian Alps. The camping area is an informal, grassy space around the hut, perfect for tents, swags, and rugged off-road camper trailers of those who have made the trek.
The allure of Tin Hut lies in its profound sense of isolation and its deep connection to the history of the loggers and foresters who once worked this tough mountain country. The hut itself provides basic shelter and a tangible link to the past. It’s a place to feel completely disconnected from the modern world, where the only sounds are the alpine winds and the calls of native wildlife. The area is a hub for some of the region’s most demanding 4WD tracks, linking to other iconic High Country locations. At night, far from any light pollution, the sky offers an unparalleled, dazzling display of stars. As a true wilderness camp, it demands complete self-sufficiency, with no facilities beyond the hut itself and a basic toilet. For those equipped for the challenge, a stay at Tin Hut is a bucket-list achievement, offering an unforgettable adventure into the wild, untamed heart of Victoria’s high plains.
Tin Hut Campground – VIC Location Map
Tin Hut camp ground
- Address: Rubicon State Forest, VIC 3712
- GPS: -37.324453, 145.863040
Site Details
- Location: Remote alpine clearing in the Rubicon State Forest.
- Site Suitable For: Tents, Swags, and rugged Off-road Camper Trailers only.
- Road Access: Very difficult 4WD tracks only (e.g., via Rubicon Rd, Royston Range Track). Extremely steep, rocky, and slippery sections. Full vehicle recovery gear and extensive experience are essential. Tracks are seasonally closed (typically June-November).
- Site Surface: Natural grass and dirt.
- Camping Permitted: Yes, free camping.
- Maximum Overnight Stays: Please observe FFM Vic guidelines.
- Facilities: Historic hut for basic shelter, non-flush toilet, fire pit. No other facilities.
- Potable Water: No. You must carry all your own water.
- Mobile Phone Coverage: Non-existent. A satellite phone or personal locator beacon (PLB) is essential.
- TV Reception: Not applicable.
- Onsite Public Toilets: Yes, a single non-flush (pit) toilet.
- Rubbish Bins: No. This is a strict carry-in, carry-out site.
- Open Fires: Permitted in the designated fire pit only, subject to seasonal fire restrictions. BYO firewood.
- Generator Use: Permitted, but be considerate of the wilderness values.
- Number of Sites Available: Small, unmarked area around the hut.
- Essentials to Bring: PLB/Sat Phone, extra fuel, all water and food, full vehicle recovery gear, shovel, firewood, rubbish bags, own toilet paper.
- Pet Friendly: Yes, pets are welcome on a lead in State Forest areas.
Activities
- Fishing: Fishing for trout in the nearby Rubicon and Royston rivers.
- Short Walks: This is a remote hiking area for experienced bushwalkers only.
- 4WD Touring: The primary activity is exploring the legendary and challenging High Country tracks.
Local Amenities
- Local Pubs:
- Rubicon Hotel (Thornton) – Approx. 30 km
- The Eildon Hotel – Approx. 35 km
- The Alexandra Hotel – Approx. 40 km
- Places to Eat:
- The nearest reliable options are in Eildon (approx. 35 km) or Alexandra (approx. 40 km).
- Local Attractions:
- Rubicon Hydroelectric Scheme Historic Area – Nearby
- Lake Eildon National Park – Accessible via local tracks
- Cathedral Range State Park – Approx. 45 km
- Nearest Caravan Parks:
- Eildon Pondage Holiday Park – Approx. 35 km
- Thornton Caravan Park – Approx. 30 km
- Next Free Camps:
- Kendalls Campground (down in the valley) – Approx. 10 km
- Numerous other smaller camps along the Rubicon and Big River roads.
- Nearest Dump Points:
- Eildon Public Dump Point – Approx. 35 km
- Nearest Petrol Station:
- Eildon – Approx. 35 km
- Alexandra has 24-hour options – Approx. 40 km
- Drinking Water Resupply:
- Available in Eildon or Alexandra.
- Public Toilets:
- Available onsite (non-flush).
Seasonal Weather Forecast
- Summer (Dec-Feb): Mild to warm days with cold nights. Be prepared for sudden weather changes and storms. Averaging 8-24°C.
- Autumn (Mar-May): Cool, clear days and very cold nights. The prime season for 4WDing. Averaging 3-18°C.
- Winter (Jun-Nov): Very cold, snow-covered, and inaccessible. Roads are seasonally closed.
- Spring (Nov-Dec): Cold to cool as tracks reopen, but can still see snowfalls. Averaging 2-16°C.