Chiltern Park Rest Area – Free Bush Camping on the Hume Freeway

The Chiltern Park Rest Area offers travellers on the Hume Freeway a welcome escape into nature without a significant detour. Situated within the beautiful box-ironbark woodlands of the Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park, this stop provides a far more scenic and peaceful experience than a typical highway pull-over. It’s an ideal spot for those looking to break up the long drive between Melbourne and Sydney, offering a genuine bush setting where the sounds of traffic are replaced by the chorus of native birds. The area is particularly well-known among birdwatchers for its population of Regent Honeyeaters and other rare woodland species, adding a unique appeal for nature lovers.

With separate, large, sealed parking areas for northbound and southbound traffic, the rest area caters for all vehicle sizes, from cars to large caravans and trucks. The facilities are clean and well-maintained, including a toilet block, sheltered picnic tables, and rubbish bins. While it’s perfect for a lunch break or a quick stretch, it is also a designated free camping area, allowing for overnight stays. Camping here means waking up surrounded by towering gum trees and the possibility of spotting kangaroos or wallabies at dawn and dusk. The proximity to the historic gold-rush town of Chiltern, just a few kilometres away, means campers can easily access shops and pubs while still enjoying a tranquil bush camp. For a convenient, safe, and beautiful free stop, the Chiltern Park Rest Area is one of the best on the Hume corridor.

Site Information

• Name: Chiltern Park Rest Area & Toilets
• Address: Hume Freeway, Chiltern VIC 3683, Australia

• GPS Coordinates: -36.137623, 146.647128

• Website: Not available

Rest Area Details

• Location: On the Hume Freeway, accessible to both northbound and southbound traffic via dedicated exits, inside the Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park.
• Site Suitable For: All vehicles, including big rigs, caravans, and motorhomes.
• Road Access: Sealed highway access.
• Site Surface: Bitumen / Asphalt parking with grassy areas.
• Camping Permitted: Yes, overnight stays are permitted.
• Maximum Overnight Stays: 24 hours.
• Facilities: Toilets, sheltered picnic tables.
• Potable Water: Not available. This is untreated tank water for non-drinking purposes only.
• Mobile Phone Coverage: Good coverage for Telstra; may be weaker for other carriers.
• TV Reception: Generally good.
• Onsite Public Toilets: Yes.
• Rubbish Bins: Yes.
• Open Fires: Strictly prohibited. Total fire bans are common in summer.
• Generator Use: Permitted, but be considerate of other campers.
• Number of Sites Available: Large unmarked areas, can accommodate 30+ vehicles.
• Essentials to Bring: Your own drinking water, cooking equipment, and food.
• Pet Friendly: Yes, pets must be on a leash as it is a National Park.
• Fishing: Not applicable.
• Short Walks: Informal tracks around the rest area provide a good opportunity to stretch your legs in the bush.

Local Amenities & Attractions

• Local Pubs:
  • Telegraph Hotel, Chiltern: Approx. 5 km
  • Ironbark Tavern, Chiltern: Approx. 5 km
  • Barnawartha Hotel: Approx. 15 km
• Places to Eat:
  • Chiltern Bakery & Cafe: Approx. 5 km
  • Hub 62 Cafe, Chiltern: Approx. 5 km
• Local Attractions:
  • Chiltern Historic Town (Dow’s Pharmacy, Athenaeum Museum): Approx. 5 km
  • Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park walking and driving tracks: Accessible from the area
  • Yeddonba Aboriginal Cultural Site: Approx. 20 km
• Nearest Caravan Parks:
  • Lake Anderson Caravan Park, Chiltern: Approx. 6 km
  • Rutherglen Caravan and Camping Park: Approx. 20 km
• Next Free Camps:
  • Wangaratta North Rest Area: Approx. 40 km south
  • Barnawartha North Rest Area: Approx. 20 km north
• Nearest Dump Points:
  • Lake Anderson Caravan Park, Chiltern (fee may apply): Approx. 6 km
  • Wodonga Showgrounds Public Dump Point: Approx. 35 km
• Nearest Petrol Station:
  • Chiltern: Approx. 5 km
  • Major service centres at Barnawartha North: Approx. 20 km
• Drinking Water Resupply:
  • Available in the town of Chiltern.
• Public Toilets (offsite):
  • Located in the main street of Chiltern.

Seasonal Weather Forecast

• Summer (Dec-Feb): Hot and dry. Temperatures regularly exceed 35°C. High bushfire risk.
• Autumn (Mar-May): Warm days and cool nights. Ideal for exploring the park and town. Averages range from 10°C to 26°C.
• Winter (Jun-Aug): Cold, especially overnight with frosts common. Days are crisp and cool. Temperatures range from 3°C to 15°C.
• Spring (Sep-Nov): Mild and sunny with beautiful wildflower displays in the National Park. Temperatures average 8°C to 22°C.