Camerons Bight Campground, Blairgowrie VIC
Embodying the classic Aussie summer holiday, Camerons Bight Campground offers a quintessential foreshore camping experience on the stunning Mornington Peninsula. As part of the Whitecliffs Foreshore Reserve, this seasonal campground is nestled directly on the calm, sandy shores of Port Phillip Bay in Blairgowrie. It’s a place where cherished family memories are made, offering a back-to-nature, unpowered stay where the beach is your front yard. The campground is tucked in amongst the beautiful, shady coastal vegetation, creating a sense of being miles away from it all, yet it’s right in the heart of one of Victoria’s most popular holiday destinations.
The atmosphere at Camerons Bight is relaxed and family-focused. The main attraction is the safe, sheltered beach, with its calm, clear waters perfect for swimming, stand-up paddleboarding, and kayaking. It’s also a haven for boating enthusiasts, located right next to the Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron and boat ramp, making it incredibly easy to launch a vessel for a day of fishing or exploring the bay. The camping itself is traditional and unpowered, encouraging a simple, off-grid lifestyle. The sites are natural, sandy pockets amongst the trees, suitable for tents, camper trailers, and small-to-medium caravans.
While the experience is rustic, the campground is equipped with well-maintained amenity blocks providing toilets and hot showers. Its location is superb, perfectly positioned between the vibrant towns of Sorrento and Rye. A short drive or a pleasant walk or cycle along the foreshore track will take you to a huge array of cafes, restaurants, pubs, and boutique shops. It’s also an ideal base for exploring the region’s famous attractions, from the wild surf beaches and rugged coastline of the ocean side to the historic Point Nepean National Park. As a seasonal park, it’s typically only open from late spring through to autumn, and its immense popularity means booking well in advance is essential.
Site Information
- Location: Absolute beachfront on Port Phillip Bay in Blairgowrie, on the Mornington Peninsula.
- Site Suitable For: Tents, Swags, Camper Trailers, small-to-medium Caravans and Motorhomes.
- Road Access: Sealed roads.
- Site Surface: Natural sand and dirt base.
- Camping Permitted: Yes, unpowered sites only. This is a seasonal campground (typically Sept-April). Booking is mandatory.
- Maximum Overnight Stays: Check with the Foreshore Reserve management.
- Number of Powered Sites: None.
- Number of Un-powered Sites: Numerous designated sites.
Facilities
- Facilities: Amenity blocks with flushing toilets and hot showers, laundry facilities, BBQs.
- Picnic Tables: Yes, in communal areas.
- Potable Water: Yes.
- Mobile Phone Coverage: Excellent.
- TV Reception: Good.
- Onsite Public Toilets: Yes, for campers.
- Ullage: A dump point is available at the nearby Whitecliffs Campground.
- Rubbish Bins: Yes.
- Open Fires: Strictly prohibited at all times.
- Generator Use: Prohibited.
Essentials & Activities
- Essentials to Bring: Beach gear, kayaks/SUPs, fishing rods, bicycles, sand pegs for tents.
- Pet Friendly: No. A strict no-pets policy is in place.
- Fishing: Excellent fishing for species like whiting and flathead from the beach or by boat.
- Short Walks: Fantastic walking and cycling along the Bay Trail which runs right past the campground.
Local Amenities
- Local Pubs:
- Blairgowrie Hotel (approx. 2 km)
- Portsea Hotel (approx. 7 km)
- Sorrento Hotel (approx. 5 km)
- Places to Eat: A huge range of cafes, bakeries, and restaurants in the nearby towns of Blairgowrie, Sorrento, and Rye.
- Local Attractions:
- Searoad Ferries from Sorrento to Queenscliff
- Point Nepean National Park
- The wild ocean beaches (e.g., Sorrento Back Beach)
- Peninsula Hot Springs (approx. 15 km)
- Nearest Caravan Parks:
- Whitecliffs Campground (adjacent)
- Sorrento Foreshore Camping
- Next Free Camps: No free camping on the Mornington Peninsula.
- Nearest Dump Points: Available for campers at the adjacent Whitecliffs Campground.
- Nearest Petrol Station: Available in Blairgowrie and Rye.
- Drinking Water Resupply: Available onsite.
- Public Toilets: Available onsite for campers.
Seasonal Weather Forecast
- Summer (Dec – Feb): The peak season. Warm to hot, with refreshing sea breezes. Perfect for beach activities. Temperatures average 14°C to 25°C.
- Autumn (Mar – May): A beautiful time to visit as the crowds thin. Days are mild and often sunny, nights are cool. Temperatures average 10°C to 20°C.
- Winter (Jun – Aug): The campground is closed during this period.
- Spring (Sep – Nov): A lovely season as the weather warms up. The foreshore is green and vibrant. Temperatures average 9°C to 19°C.