Blue Pool — Freestone Creek Rd, Briagolong VIC 3860

Blue Pool is a striking natural swimming hole carved into Freestone Creek in the Briagolong State Forest, Central Gippsland. Surrounded by steep basalt outcrops and clear, deep water, the pool is a favourite for families and day-trippers in summer as well as campers seeking a quiet, scenic escape. The site features picnic shelters, barbecue facilities, newly upgraded benches and accessible walking tracks that lead tolookouts over the gorge, plus an easy short walk to “The Bluff” lookout. The campground area beside the creek provides unpowered, free or low-cost sites within a shaded native forest setting — ideal for tents, camper trailers and swag camping. Facilities are basic but well maintained following recent upgrades to the picnic and shelter areas, and there is a public toilet block adjacent to the main camping zone.Practical points for visitors: Blue Pool is accessed from Freestone Creek Road (dirt/gravel sections may be encountered depending on the route) and is best reached by 2WD in dry conditions but slow/4WD is recommended after heavy rain. There is limited mobile coverage at the site, potable water is not reliably available (bring drinking water), and visitors are urged to follow State Forest guidelines: no removal of firewood, respect fire restrictions, and take rubbish with you. The area is dog-friendly on leash in specified zones. For longer stays or full-service caravan facilities, the nearby towns of Briagolong, Stratford and Maffra offer pubs, cafes, caravan parks and fuel.

Location: Freestone Creek Road, Briagolong VIC 3860
GPS coordinates: -37.778665443909944, 147.1127445697763
Website / official info: Visit Victoria / Explore Outdoors listings (see citations below).

Core info & coordinates sourced from official tourism & park pages

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Site details (summary)

Site suitable for: day visitors, swimmers, families, tent camping, small camper trailers, 2WD (dry), 4WD recommended when wet.
Road access: Freestone Creek Road off local roads. Some unsealed/dirt sections. Drive carefully after rain.
Site surface: natural compacted dirt, gravel pads and grassy clearings.
Camping permitted: yes — unpowered camping within the Freestone Creek / Blue Pool camping precinct (free or low cost; check signage & park rules).
Maximum overnight stays: short stays typical (check local signage / Parks Vic guidance if staying multiple nights).
Facilities: picnic shelters, BBQs, benches, car parking and a public toilet block.
Potable water: NOT reliably supplied — bring drinking water.
Mobile phone coverage: limited / patchy — bring an offline map and emergency plan.
Onsite public toilets: yes (toilet block adjacent to main camping area).
Rubbish bins: some bins present — please take rubbish out if bins are full.
Open fires: permitted only when local fire restrictions allow; use designated fire pits and bring own firewood (do NOT collect firewood on site). Follow seasonal fire bans.
Generator use: discouraged — respect quiet hours and neighbouring campers.
Number of sites available: informal dispersed sites across the campground (no strict powered site numbering) — plenty of space but subject to seasonal crowds.
Essentials to bring: drinking water, first aid, shade/shelter, swim shoes, sun protection, insect repellent, torch, rubbish bags, toilet paper, and fuel for cooking if needed.
Pet friendly: usually dog-friendly on leash in specified areas — obey signage.
Fishing: permitted in accordance with Victorian fishing rules (check licences and local regulations).
Short walks: The Bluff lookout (~5–15 min walk), Peregrine Lookout Trail (~1 hour return) and short interpretative walks along Freestone Creek.

Nearby services & distances (approx.)

Briagolong Hotel (pub) — Briagolong: approx. 8.1 km from the Blue Pool (town services: pub, cafe, small shops).
Avon Hotel — Stratford (pub & bistro): approx. 20.7 km (larger town services, bistro & supplies).
Macalister Hotel / eateries — Maffra: approx. 24.2 km (cafés, pubs and supermarkets).
Nearest caravan parks: Stratford on the River Tourist Park (Stratford), Echo Bend Camping Park / local holiday parks — check individual park pages for powered sites & dump points. Approx distances: Stratford ≈ 21 km, Sale ≈ 31 km.
Nearest public dump points: commonly available at larger caravan parks in Stratford, Maffra or Sale — recommend checking CamperMate/Caravan club maps prior to arrival.
Nearest petrol station: Briagolong / Stratford service stations (town centres). Check local fuel apps for live prices.
Drinking water resupply: town supply in Briagolong/Stratford (bring your own for campsite).
Public toilets (town): Briagolong & Stratford both have public toilets in main streets and at caravan parks.

Local attractions & picks

Blue Pool swimming hole & gorge: on-site.
Peregrine Lookout / The Bluff: short scenic walk with lookout views.
Historic town walk — Briagolong: small heritage town, local galleries & cafes.

Seasonal weather (typical averages for the region)

The Briagolong / Maffra region has a temperate climate. Summers (Dec–Feb) are warm with daytime means commonly in the low-to-mid 20s °C and plenty of sunny days — ideal for swimming. Autumn (Mar–May) cools with occasional rain; winter (Jun–Aug) is cooler with crisp mornings (mean minima can drop into single digits) and regular rainfall; spring (Sep–Nov) is mild and can be changeable. Always check the Bureau of Meteorology for the short-term forecast and any fire warnings before visiting.

Practical safety notes

Blue Pool is deep in places — watch children and weak swimmers; there have been serious incidents historically, so swim with caution.
Respect park signage, seasonal fire bans and wildlife.
Mobile coverage is patchy — carry an emergency plan and offline maps.

Useful links & sources

Visit Victoria — Blue Pool listing.
ExploreOutdoors / Victoria camping listing (Blue Pool campground upgrades & facilities).
Local guides & reviews (TripAdvisor, We Are Explorers, Visit Gippsland).