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Red Box Campsite
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Red Box Campsite, Cathedral Range State Park

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Red Box Campsite, Cathedral Range State Park

★★★★☆ (4.0/5) – A primitive hike-in camp for the dedicated walker.
Red Box Campsite is a primitive bush camp for the dedicated hiker, offering a truly immersive and self-sufficient experience in the magnificent Cathedral Range State Park. This is not a drive-up destination; it is a walk-in campsite located along the remote Little River Track, deep within the park’s rugged northern section. The campsite is a small, simple clearing set amongst a beautiful forest of peppermint and box eucalypts, providing a tranquil and isolated spot to rest after a day on the trails. Its primary purpose is to serve as an overnight stop for those undertaking multi-day hikes through the park, allowing walkers to break up their journey and sleep under the stars in a spectacular natural setting.This campground embodies the ‘leave no trace’ ethos and is strictly for those who are prepared for a complete lack of amenities. There are no facilities whatsoever—no toilets, no water, no fireplaces, and no bins. Campers must carry in everything they need, including a fuel stove for cooking (fires are not permitted), a portable toilet system, all drinking water, and the means to carry out every piece of rubbish. As it is situated within a State Park, dogs and other pets are strictly forbidden to protect the fragile ecosystem and its native inhabitants, which include kangaroos, wallabies, and a rich variety of birdlife. The reward for this level of self-reliance is an unparalleled sense of solitude and a direct connection to the wild beauty of the Cathedral Ranges. It’s a place to be truly alone with your thoughts, surrounded by the sounds of the bush, before continuing your hiking adventure the next day.

Campground Information & Features

  • Location: In the northern, more remote section of the Cathedral Range State Park.
  • Site Suitable For: Tents only (hike-in).
  • Road Access: Park roads are 2WD accessible to nearby trailheads, but the campsite itself is walk-in only.
  • Site Surface: Natural forest clearing.
  • Camping Permitted: Yes, free dispersed camping for hikers.
  • Maximum Overnight Stays: Standard park regulations apply.
  • Facilities: None.
  • Potable Water: No. You must carry in all your water.
  • Mobile Phone Coverage: Unlikely. Very poor to non-existent in this part of the park.
  • Onsite Public Toilets: No. A portable toilet system or proper bush toileting methods are required.
  • Rubbish Bins: No. All rubbish must be carried out.
  • Open Fires: Prohibited. This is a fuel stove only area.
  • Generator Use: Prohibited.
  • Number of Sites Available: A small area suitable for a few hiking tents.
  • Essentials to Bring: All water, food, fuel stove, tent, sleeping gear, PLB/sat phone, detailed maps, first-aid kit.
  • Pet Friendly: No. Pets are not permitted in Cathedral Range State Park.
  • Fishing: Not applicable.
  • Short Walks: This campsite is located on longer hiking trails; it is not a destination for short walks.

Nearby Amenities & Attractions

  • Local Pubs:
    • Buxton Hotel/Pub – Approx. 15 km
    • Taggerty Hotel – Approx. 20 km
    • Black Spur Inn (Narbethong) – Approx. 25 km
  • Places to Eat:
    • Buxton (Pub, takeaway, bakery) – Approx. 15 km
    • Marysville (Numerous cafes, bakeries, pubs) – Approx. 25 km
    • Alexandra (Wide range of options) – Approx. 35 km
  • Local Attractions:
    • Cathedral Range Northern and Southern Circuits (hiking)
    • Sugarloaf Peak and The Razorback hikes
    • Steavenson Falls (Marysville) – Approx. 25 km
  • Nearest Caravan Parks:
    • Buxton Mountain View Caravan Park – Approx. 15 km
    • Marysville Holiday Park – Approx. 25 km
    • Alexandra Tourist Park – Approx. 35 km
  • Next Free Camps:
    • Cooks Mill Campground (fees apply) – Approx. 10 km south
    • Keppel Creek Camping Area (Rubicon Valley) – Approx. 20 km (4WD)
  • Nearest Dump Points:
    • Marysville – Approx. 25 km
    • Alexandra – Approx. 35 km
  • Nearest Petrol Station:
    • Buxton – Approx. 15 km
    • Marysville – Approx. 25 km
  • Drinking Water Resupply:
    • Marysville or Alexandra are the nearest towns with reliable public taps.
  • Nearest Public Toilets (offsite):
    • Cooks Mill Campground – Approx. 10 km
    • Neds Gully Campground – Approx. 12 km

Seasonal Weather Forecast: Cathedral Range Area

  • Summer (Dec-Feb): Days can be very hot and dry. High bushfire risk. Hiking can be strenuous. Carry plenty of water.
  • Autumn (Mar-May): Generally the best time for hiking, with mild, clear days and cool nights.
  • Winter (Jun-Aug): Cold and often wet. The rocky peaks can be slippery and hazardous. Snowfall is possible on the highest peaks.
  • Spring (Sep-Nov): A beautiful time for wildflowers. Weather can be very unpredictable, with a mix of warm sunshine, rain, and even snow.

 

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