The Queenscliff Recreation Reserve offers a classic and incredibly convenient showgrounds-style camping experience in the heart of one of Victoria’s most historic and beautiful seaside towns. This community-run facility is a favourite among travellers for its spacious, unpretentious atmosphere, excellent value, and an unbeatable location that puts you within easy walking distance of everything Queenscliff has to offer. The campground is set on large, open, and level grassy areas, providing ample room for all types of vehicles, from the largest motorhomes to simple tents. It’s a wonderfully relaxed and friendly base for exploring the magnificent Bellarine Peninsula.
Run with pride by local caretakers, the reserve provides all the essential facilities needed for a comfortable stay. For a very modest fee, campers have access to powered sites, clean amenity blocks with the all-important hot showers, and laundry facilities. The campground is also exceptionally pet-friendly, making it a popular and hassle-free choice for those travelling with their four-legged friends, with plenty of open space for walks. The laid-back, friendly vibe, combined with the sheer amount of space, makes it a refreshing alternative to more structured caravan parks.
The location is the true star. From the reserve, it’s just a short, pleasant stroll to Queenscliff’s stunning heritage streetscapes, with their grand Victorian-era hotels, art galleries, and boutique shops. You can easily walk to the wharf to watch the fishing boats, take a dip at the beach, or catch the Searoad Ferry across the bay to Sorrento. The reserve also serves as a perfect launchpad for exploring the wider Bellarine Taste Trail, renowned for its cool-climate wineries and artisanal producers. For an affordable, friendly, and perfectly positioned coastal getaway, the Queenscliff Recreation Reserve is an outstanding choice.
Queenscliff Recreation Reserve – VIC Location Map
Queenscliff Recreation Reserve
Site Information
- Location: At the town’s main recreation reserve, a short walk from the main street and ferry terminal.
- Site Suitable For: Tents, Camper Trailers, Caravans, Motorhomes, Big Rigs.
- Road Access: Sealed roads.
- Site Surface: Large, level grass areas.
- Camping Permitted: Yes, low-cost camping with powered and unpowered options available.
- Maximum Overnight Stays: Please check with the caretaker.
- Number of Powered Sites: Yes, a good number of powered sites are available.
- Number of Un-powered Sites: Yes, an extensive unpowered area.
Facilities
- Facilities: Toilets, hot showers, laundry.
- Picnic Tables: Yes, in the adjacent park.
- Potable Water: Yes.
- Mobile Phone Coverage: Excellent for all major carriers.
- TV Reception: Excellent.
- Onsite Public Toilets: Yes.
- Ullage: No. The nearest public dump point is at the Bellarine Day Spa & Resort.
- Rubbish Bins: Yes.
- Open Fires: Strictly prohibited.
- Generator Use: Permitted, with considerate use regarding timing and neighbours.
Essentials & Activities
- Essentials to Bring: Walking shoes, fishing gear, bicycles, cash for fees.
- Pet Friendly: Yes, this is a very pet-friendly location.
- Fishing: Excellent fishing from the piers, jetties, and by boat in Port Phillip Bay.
- Short Walks: Fantastic walks through the historic town, along the foreshore, and to the Point Lonsdale lighthouse.
Local Amenities
- Local Pubs:
- Queenscliff Brewhouse (approx. 1 km)
- Queenscliff Hotel (approx. 1 km)
- Ocean View Hotel, Point Lonsdale (approx. 3 km)
- Places to Eat: A huge range of excellent cafes, bakeries, pubs, and restaurants are within easy walking distance.
- Local Attractions:
- Searoad Ferries to Sorrento
- The Bellarine Railway
- Fort Queenscliff Museum
- Point Lonsdale Lighthouse and The Rip Lookout
- Nearest Caravan Parks:
- BIG4 Beacon Resort
- Queenscliff Tourist Parks (various locations)
- Next Free Camps: No free camping on the Bellarine Peninsula. Low-cost camping at the Geelong Showgrounds.
- Nearest Dump Points: Bellarine Day Spa & Resort (fee may apply).
- Nearest Petrol Station: Available in Queenscliff.
- Drinking Water Resupply: Available onsite.
- Public Toilets: Available onsite.
Seasonal Weather Forecast
- Summer (Dec – Feb): The peak season. Warm and generally pleasant with cooling sea breezes. Perfect for beach and water activities. Temperatures average 14°C to 24°C.
- Autumn (Mar – May): A lovely season as the crowds thin. Days are mild and often sunny, nights are cool. Temperatures average 10°C to 20°C.
- Winter (Jun – Aug): Cold, windy, and can be wet. Days are cool and nights are very cold. Good for storm watching and cosy pub lunches. Temperatures range from 6°C to 14°C.
- Spring (Sep – Nov): A beautiful time as the region’s gardens come to life. Weather can be very variable, from cool and windy to warm and sunny. Temperatures average 9°C to 19°C.
