Notley Camping Area | Free Paddys Ranges State Park Camping & Gold Prospecting

Immerse yourself in the heart of the Victorian Golden Triangle at Notley Camping Area, a fantastic free campground nestled within the beautiful Paddys Ranges State Park. This popular and spacious bush camp is a haven for gold prospectors, nature lovers, and self-sufficient travellers seeking an authentic Australian outdoor experience. The campground is set in a large, open clearing surrounded by a magnificent box-ironbark forest, offering a serene and picturesque environment. With numerous well-spaced and relatively level sites, it’s perfectly suited for all types of camping setups, from tents and swags to off-road caravans and camper trailers. The atmosphere is one of peaceful adventure, where the days are spent exploring the park’s rich history and biodiversity, and the nights are for relaxing by a campfire under a brilliant canopy of stars.

The main allure of Notley is its prime location within a renowned gold-bearing region. It’s a bustling hub for gold fossickers and detectorists, with the surrounding state park offering ample opportunity to try your luck (a miner’s right is required). Beyond prospecting, the park is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. It serves as a starting point for several walking and cycling tracks that wind through the forest, which is famous for its incredible display of wildflowers in spring and its rich birdlife, including the rare Swift Parrot. While it’s a free, back-to-basics camp, it is well-serviced with essential facilities like non-flush toilets and wood fire pits. Its proximity to the historic town of Maryborough provides convenient access to supplies, a good pub meal, and further historical exploration. For a memorable, budget-friendly adventure steeped in gold rush history and natural beauty, Notley Camping Area is a premier Goldfields destination.

Campground Information

• Name: Notley Camping Area
• Address: Notleys Track, Paddys Ranges State Park (near Maryborough) VIC 3465

Location Coordinates

• GPS: -36.65013648242715, 144.2630792434521

Website

• Website: This is a free campground in a State Park. Information is available on the Parks Victoria website.

Location Map

Site Details

• Location: Bush setting in Paddys Ranges State Park.
• Site Suitable For: Tents, Camper Trailers, and small to medium Caravans/Motorhomes.
• Road Access: Unsealed gravel/dirt road. Generally 2WD accessible with care.
• Site Surface: Natural dirt and gravel base.
• Camping Permitted: Yes, free camping.
• Maximum Overnight Stays: Please observe Parks Victoria guidelines.
• Facilities: Non-flush toilets, shared fire pits, picnic tables. No power or showers.
• Potable Water: No. You must bring all your own drinking water.
• Mobile Phone Coverage: Patchy. Telstra has the best chance of a signal.
• TV Reception: Unreliable.
• 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 fire pits only, subject to seasonal fire restrictions. BYO firewood.
• Generator Use: Permitted, but please be considerate of the peaceful environment.
• Number of Sites Available: Large area with numerous unmarked sites.
• Essentials to Bring: Drinking water, firewood, rubbish bags, toilet paper, gold detector.
• Pet Friendly: No. Pets are not permitted in Paddys Ranges State Park.

Activities

• Fishing: Not applicable.
• Short Walks: Excellent access to a network of bushwalking and nature trails.
• Gold Prospecting: A premier location for gold detecting and fossicking (a miner’s right is required).

Local Amenities

• Local Pubs:
  • The Bull and Mouth Hotel (Maryborough) – Approx. 10 km
  • The Park Hotel (Maryborough) – Approx. 10 km
  • The Railway Hotel (Maryborough) – Approx. 10 km
• Places to Eat:
  • Numerous bakeries, cafes, and pubs in Maryborough – Approx. 10 km
• Local Attractions:
  • Paddys Ranges State Park – You are in it!
  • Maryborough Historic Railway Station – Approx. 10 km
  • Worsley Cottage Museum & Complex (Maryborough) – Approx. 10 km
  • Historic town of Tarnagulla – Approx. 25 km
• Nearest Caravan Parks:
  • Maryborough Caravan Park – Approx. 10 km
• Next Free Camps:
  • Waanyarra Camping Grounds – Approx. 20 km
  • Moliagul Campground – Approx. 30 km
• Nearest Dump Points:
  • Maryborough Public Dump Point (at the Leisure Centre) – Approx. 11 km
• Nearest Petrol Station:
  • Maryborough has multiple 24-hour options – Approx. 10 km
• Drinking Water Resupply:
  • Available in Maryborough township.
• Public Toilets:
  • Available onsite (non-flush).

Seasonal Weather Forecast

• Summer (Dec-Feb): Hot and dry, with average temperatures of 15-32°C. Very high fire danger.
• Autumn (Mar-May): Warm, sunny days and cool nights, ideal for prospecting, averaging 9-25°C.
• Winter (Jun-Aug): Cold and crisp, with frequent frosts, but often with clear, sunny days. Averaging 3-15°C.
• Spring (Sep-Nov): Mild and pleasant, the best time for wildflowers, averaging 8-23°C.