Spread the love

Meredith Education Area (Moorabool River) Free Camp Guide, VIC

Discover one of the region’s most rugged and secluded free camps at the Meredith Education Area, also known as the Moorabool River Camping Area. Tucked away in a scenic gorge just outside Meredith, this Parks Victoria site offers a true wilderness experience for the adventurous, self-sufficient camper. This is not a caravan park or a casual roadside stop; it is a remote bush camp accessible only by 4WD.

Access is the primary challenge and a key feature of this site. The track down to the small camping clearings is a steep, bumpy decline that becomes extremely difficult and muddy in wet weather. For this reason, it is strictly suitable for high-clearance 4WD vehicles only. Once you arrive, you’ll find a handful of small, informal clearings just large enough for a couple of tents, set between the track and the gorge. This site is not suitable for caravans, camper trailers, or 2WD vehicles.

This is a ‘back to basics’ site with no facilities. You must be fully self-contained, which includes bringing your own portable toilet and all your own drinking water. There are no tables, no bins, and no toilets. A single fire pit may be present, but you must bring your own milled firewood and adhere to all fire restrictions, as the area can be prone to flash flooding. Critically, **dogs and other pets are not permitted** at this campground to protect the local wildlife.

The reward for your effort is a stunning, quiet location on the Moorabool River. A short walking track leads from the camp clearings down to a picturesque, shady spot on the water, which is perfect for a splash in the warmer months. It’s an ideal base for bushwalking and wildlife spotting, but be wary of snakes. While it feels a world away, the town of Meredith is only a short 4WD trip back out, offering a classic country pub and basic supplies.

Meredith Education Area – VIC Map

Location Details

Name: Meredith Education Area (Moorabool River Camping Area)
Address: Possum Road, Meredith VIC 3333, Australia
GPS Coordinates: -37.8398, 144.13531

Site Features

Location: A remote bush camp in a scenic gorge on the Moorabool River, managed by Parks Victoria.
Site suitable for: Tents only.
Road access: **4WD ONLY**. Access is via a steep, bumpy, and often muddy track. Strictly not suitable for 2WD vehicles, caravans, or camper trailers.
Site surface: Small, informal dirt clearings.
Camping permitted: Yes, free camping is permitted. No bookings required.
Maximum overnight stays: As per Parks Victoria and state forest guidelines (typically 28 days).
Picnic tables: No.
Potable water: No. You must bring all your own drinking water.
Mobile phone coverage: Unreliable to non-existent.
TV reception: Poor to non-existent.
Onsite public toilets: No. You must be fully self-contained and bring a portable toilet.
Rubbish bins: No. This is a strict ‘Leave No Trace’ area. You must take all rubbish with you.
Open fires: Permitted in existing fire pits, unless a Total Fire Ban is in effect. Check CFA and Parks Victoria warnings. Bring your own firewood.
Generator use: Not specified. Use is discouraged due to the quiet, natural setting.
Number of sites available: Very limited (approx. 2-3 small tent sites).
Essentials to bring: High-clearance 4WD vehicle, portable toilet, drinking water, food, rubbish bags, firewood, first-aid kit.
Pet friendly: **NO. Dogs and other pets are strictly not permitted.**
Fishing: Not a primary activity. River is shallow and better for “splashing”.
Short walks: Yes, a short walking track leads from the camp area down to the Moorabool River.

Local Amenities

The following amenities are located in or near the town of Meredith (approx. 5-10km from the campsite, back out the 4WD track):

Food & Drink

Local Pubs: Royal Hotel Meredith (20 Wallace St, Meredith), Railway Hotel (Elaine, approx. 14km), Lal Lal Falls Hotel (Lal Lal, approx. 20km).
Places to Eat: Meredith Hotel (Royal Hotel), Meredith Farm Produce Store.

Attractions & Activities

Local Attractions: Historic gold rush town of Steiglitz (approx. 10km), Moorabool Valley Wine Region (various cellar doors, approx. 15-20km), Fairy Park (Anakie, approx. 25km).

Caravan & Camping

Nearest Caravan Parks: Meredith Pioneer Park (Meredith).
Next Free Camps: Meredith Pioneer Park (Meredith, has some free/low-cost options).
Nearest Dump Points: No public dump point in Meredith. Nearest is Clunes (70 Bailey St, approx. 60km) or at holiday parks in Daylesford or Ballarat (fees may apply).
Nearest Petrol Station: Meredith Roadhouse (26 Wallace St, Meredith).
Drinking Water Resupply: No public water refill station in Meredith. Advise to bring from home or purchase at the roadhouse.
Nearest Public Toilets: Meredith Interpretive Centre (10 Wallace St, Meredith).

Seasonal Weather Forecast: Meredith, VIC

Meredith has a temperate climate with distinct seasons.

Summer (December – February): Warm to hot days with average highs around 28°C. Nights are generally mild.
Autumn (March – May): Mild and pleasant days with cool nights. Weather is often stable.
Winter (June – August): Cool to cold and damp. Average highs are around 13-14°C, and nights are cold, dropping to 4-5°C with frosts.
Spring (September – November): Mild and becoming warmer, but can be unsettled with wind and rainfall, especially in early spring. April is often the wettest month.