Chaffe Creek Campground | Free High Country Camping on the Big River

For a classic and accessible High Country adventure, Chaffe Creek Campground is a fantastic free camping destination located in the heart of the Big River State Forest. This popular and spacious reserve offers a beautiful bush setting on the banks of the Big River, making it a paradise for four-wheel drive enthusiasts, trail bike riders, families, and anglers. The campground is a large, open, and grassy flat surrounded by towering gum trees, providing an abundance of excellent, level sites suitable for all setups, from tents and swags to caravans and camper trailers. It’s a place that buzzes with the friendly energy of fellow campers, where the days are spent exploring the rugged mountain tracks and the evenings are for relaxing around a campfire under a brilliant canopy of stars.

The campground’s main appeal is its prime location as a gateway to the Victorian High Country. It serves as an ideal base for exploring the network of 4WD tracks that crisscross the region, leading to historic gold rush sites, old cattlemen’s huts, and breathtaking mountain lookouts. The Big River itself, which flows gently past the campground, is a popular spot for trout fishing and offers a refreshing place to cool off on a hot summer’s day. While it’s a free, back-to-basics camp, it is equipped with non-flush toilets, adding a level of convenience to the rustic experience. Its proximity to the historic town of Jamieson and the northern edge of Lake Eildon means that supplies, a pub meal, and other recreational activities are not too far away. For a memorable, budget-friendly trip that captures the true spirit of High Country camping and adventure, Chaffe Creek is an outstanding and highly recommended destination.

Campground Information

• Name: Chaffe Creek Campground
• Address: Big River Rd, Enochs Point VIC 3723

Location Coordinates

• GPS: -37.38985204707633, 146.073780314859

Website

• Website: This is a free campground in a State Forest. Information is available on the Explore Outdoors (VIC Gov) website.

Location Map

Site Details

• Location: Riverside bush camp in the Big River State Forest.
• Site Suitable For: Tents, Camper Trailers, Caravans, and Motorhomes.
• Road Access: Unsealed gravel road (Big River Rd). Generally 2WD accessible with care in dry conditions, but can be corrugated and slippery.
• Site Surface: Mostly grass and dirt.
• Camping Permitted: Yes, free camping.
• Maximum Overnight Stays: Please observe FFM Vic guidelines for State Forests.
• Facilities: Non-flush toilets, fire pits. No power or showers.
• Potable Water: No. You must bring your own drinking water or have a reliable purification system.
• Mobile Phone Coverage: Very patchy to non-existent. A satellite messenger is recommended.
• TV Reception: Unlikely.
• 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 natural setting and other campers.
• Number of Sites Available: Large, unmarked area with many sites.
• Essentials to Bring: Drinking water, firewood, rubbish bags, toilet paper, insect repellent, fishing gear.
• Pet Friendly: Yes, pets are welcome on a lead in State Forest areas.

Activities

• Fishing: Excellent trout fishing in the Big River and surrounding streams.
• Short Walks: Numerous bushwalking and 4WD tracks to explore in the surrounding forest.
• 4WD & Trail Bike Riding: This is a premier location with a vast network of tracks.

Local Amenities

• Local Pubs:
  • The Kevington Hotel (Kevington) – Approx. 20 km (via 4WD tracks)
  • The Courthouse Hotel (Jamieson) – Approx. 25 km
  • The Jamieson Hotel – Approx. 25 km
• Places to Eat:
  • Jamieson Brewery & Grill – Approx. 25 km
  • The Jamieson Cafe – Approx. 25 km
  • Both Jamieson pubs offer bistro meals – Approx. 25 km
• Local Attractions:
  • Historic town of Jamieson – Approx. 25 km
  • Lake Eildon (Stockmans Reward Boat Ramp) – Approx. 20 km
  • High Country 4WD Tracks – You are in them!
  • Mount Terrible – Accessible via 4WD tracks
• Nearest Caravan Parks:
  • Jamieson Caravan Park – Approx. 25 km
• Next Free Camps:
  • Numerous other campsites along Big River Road (e.g., The Pines, Frenchmans).
  • Grannys Flat Reserve (near Jamieson) – Approx. 20 km
• Nearest Dump Points:
  • Mansfield Public Dump Point – Approx. 75 km
• Nearest Petrol Station:
  • Jamieson – Approx. 25 km
• Drinking Water Resupply:
  • Available in Jamieson.
• Public Toilets:
  • Available onsite (non-flush).

Seasonal Weather Forecast

• Summer (Dec-Feb): Warm to hot days with cool mountain nights, perfect for swimming. Averaging 12-28°C.
• Autumn (Mar-May): Mild, sunny days and cool nights, the peak season for autumn foliage and 4WDing. Averaging 7-22°C.
• Winter (Jun-Nov): Cold, with frequent frosts and a high chance of snow. Roads are often seasonally closed.
• Spring (Nov-Dec): Cool to mild as tracks reopen, with rivers running high. Averaging 5-19°C.