Positioned in the heart of Victoria’s lush inland dairy country, the Timboon Recreation Reserve offers one of the finest free camping experiences in the state. This expansive and beautifully maintained community ground is a true gem, providing travellers with a comfortable, convenient, and budget-friendly base to explore the world-renowned 12 Apostles Food Artisan Trail and the spectacular Great Ocean Road coastline. The campground is set on a vast, grassy reserve, offering an abundance of unpowered sites with plenty of room for even the largest caravans and motorhomes. Shaded by mature trees and adjacent to the town’s sporting facilities, it has a safe, friendly, and relaxed atmosphere that makes it a favourite for families and touring nomads.
What makes the Timboon campground exceptional for a free site are its outstanding facilities. Managed with pride by local volunteers, the reserve features clean flushing toilets, hot showers (for a small donation), and a public dump point, providing a level of comfort rarely found at no cost. The location is the major drawcard. Timboon is the unofficial capital of the gourmet food trail, and the campground is just a short walk or bike ride from famous producers like the Timboon Railway Shed Distillery, Timboon Fine Ice Cream, and the Timboon Cheesery. The historic Camperdown to Timboon Rail Trail also runs right past the reserve, offering a scenic route for cyclists and walkers to explore the stunning forested landscapes and old trestle bridges. Furthermore, the iconic 12 Apostles and the dramatic cliffs of the Shipwreck Coast are only a 20-minute drive away, making it a perfect, peaceful alternative to the busier coastal towns. For an incredible stay that combines gourmet delights, natural beauty, and amazing value, the Timboon Recreation Reserve is a must-visit destination.
Timboon Camping – VIC Location Map
Timboon Recreation Reserve Camping
- Address: Curdies Rd, Timboon VIC 3268
- GPS: -38.4845, 142.9780
Site Details
- Location: Town recreation reserve.
- Site Suitable For: Caravans, Motorhomes, Big Rigs, Camper Trailers, Tents.
- Road Access: Sealed road.
- Site Surface: Mostly grass.
- Camping Permitted: Yes, (donations are essential for upkeep).
- Maximum Overnight Stays: Please observe local signage, typically 48-72 hours.
- Facilities: Flushing toilets, hot showers (donation), dump point, playground, covered BBQ area.
- Potable Water: Yes, available.
- Mobile Phone Coverage: Excellent for all major carriers.
- TV Reception: Good digital TV reception.
- Onsite Public Toilets: Yes.
- Rubbish Bins: Yes.
- Open Fires: Strictly not permitted.
- Generator Use: Permitted, but please be considerate of other campers.
- Number of Sites Available: Very large, unmarked area.
- Essentials to Bring: Bicycles for the rail trail, coins for the shower donation box.
- Pet Friendly: Yes, pets are welcome on a lead.
Activities
- Fishing: Fishing for trout and blackfish in the nearby Curdies River.
- Short Walks: The Camperdown to Timboon Rail Trail runs alongside the reserve, perfect for walking and cycling.
Local Amenities
- Local Pubs:
- The Timboon Hotel – Approx. 1 km
- The Railway Hotel (Timboon) – Approx. 1 km
- Cobden Hotel (Cobden) – Approx. 20 km
- Places to Eat:
- Timboon Railway Shed Distillery (Restaurant & Cafe) – Approx. 1 km
- Timboon Provedore & Cafe – Approx. 1 km
- The Fat Cow Food Co (Timboon) – Approx. 1 km
- Local Attractions:
- 12 Apostles Food Artisan Trail (Distillery, Cheesery, Ice Cream) – all within 2 km
- Timboon Trestle Bridge – Approx. 2 km along the rail trail
- The 12 Apostles – Approx. 18 km
- Loch Ard Gorge – Approx. 18 km
- Nearest Caravan Parks:
- Port Campbell Recreation Reserve – Approx. 18 km
- NRMA Port Campbell Holiday Park – Approx. 18 km
- Next Free Camps:
- Panmure Campground – Approx. 20 km
- Princetown Recreation Reserve – Approx. 25 km
- Nearest Dump Points:
- Located onsite at the Timboon Recreation Reserve.
- Nearest Petrol Station:
- Drinking Water Resupply:
- Public Toilets:
Seasonal Weather Forecast
- Summer (Dec-Feb): Warm and humid, often with cooling afternoon breezes, averaging 13-25°C.
- Autumn (Mar-May): Mild, pleasant days and cool nights, ideal for exploring, averaging 9-20°C.
- Winter (Jun-Aug): Cool and often damp, with lush green scenery, averaging 6-14°C.
- Spring (Sep-Nov): Cool to mild with a mix of sun and showers, a great time to see the countryside thrive, averaging 8-18°C.
