Great Western Recreation Reserve | Low Cost Camping in the Grampians Wine Region

The Great Western Racing & Recreation Reserve is a true icon of the Australian free camping scene, widely regarded as one of the best and most well-facilitated community campgrounds in the country. This magnificent reserve offers an unbeatable, budget-friendly basecamp right in the heart of the historic Grampians wine region. Maintained with incredible pride and dedication by the local community, the campground provides a vast, flat, and beautifully grassy area with an abundance of space for all types of setups, from the largest motorhomes and big rigs to smaller caravans and tents. The atmosphere is famously friendly and social, a place where travellers from all over gather to share stories and enjoy the serene country setting.

What makes the Great Western reserve legendary are its facilities, which are truly exceptional for a donation-based camp. Travellers are treated to clean flushing toilets, hot showers, a public dump point, potable water, and even access to powered sites for a very modest fee. This level of comfort and convenience makes it the perfect spot to stop, refresh, and recharge. Its location is a major drawcard, positioning campers on the doorstep of two of Australia’s most historic and acclaimed wineries, Seppelt and Bests. The charming town of Great Western is just a short stroll away, offering a classic country pub and general store. Furthermore, it serves as a fantastic gateway to the majestic Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park, with the tourist hub of Halls Gap just a scenic 30-minute drive away. For an incredible camping experience that combines top-tier facilities, a perfect location for wine touring and mountain adventures, and wonderful community spirit, the Great Western Recreation Reserve is an essential destination.

Campground Information

• Name: Great Western Racing & Recreation Reserve
• Address: 1098 Moyston-Great Western Rd, Great Western VIC 3374

Location Coordinates

• GPS: -37.16090298960775, 142.8499941140676

Website

• Website: This is a public reserve. Information is available on the Ararat Rural City Council website.

Location Map

Site Details

• Location: Town recreation reserve in the Grampians wine region.
• Site Suitable For: Caravans, Motorhomes, Big Rigs, Camper Trailers, Tents.
• Road Access: Sealed road.
• Site Surface: Mostly grass, very level.
• Camping Permitted: Yes, free/donation for unpowered sites. Small fee for powered sites.
• Maximum Overnight Stays: Please observe local signage; a 7-day limit is often in place.
• Facilities: Flushing toilets, hot showers (donation), dump point, powered sites, potable water, playground.
• Potable Water: Yes, available.
• Mobile Phone Coverage: Excellent for all major carriers.
• TV Reception: Excellent digital TV reception.
• Onsite Public Toilets: Yes.
• Rubbish Bins: Yes.
• Open Fires: Generally not permitted. Check local restrictions.
• Generator Use: Permitted, but please be considerate of the large number of campers.
• Number of Sites Available: Very large, unmarked area with plenty of space.
• Essentials to Bring: Donation money for the honesty box, coins for power/showers.
• Pet Friendly: Yes, pets are welcome on a lead.

Activities

• Fishing: Fishing opportunities in nearby lakes like Lake Bellfield and Lake Lonsdale.
• Short Walks: Enjoy walks around the historic Great Western township and local wineries.
• Wine Tasting: A premier activity with Seppelt and Bests wineries within walking distance.

Local Amenities

• Local Pubs:
  • Great Western Hotel – Approx. 1 km
  • The National Hotel (Stawell) – Approx. 15 km
  • The Gift Hotel (Stawell) – Approx. 15 km
• Places to Eat:
  • Great Western Hotel (Bistro) – Approx. 1 km
  • Salingers Cafe (Great Western) – Approx. 1 km
  • Seppelt and Bests Wineries often have restaurants/cafes – Approx. 2-3 km
• Local Attractions:
  • Seppelt Wines (Underground Cellars) – Approx. 2 km
  • Bests Wines Great Western – Approx. 3 km
  • Grampians National Park (Halls Gap) – Approx. 35 km
  • Stawell Gift Hall of Fame – Approx. 15 km
• Nearest Caravan Parks:
  • Stawell Grampians Gate Caravan Park – Approx. 15 km
  • Halls Gap Lakeside Tourist Park – Approx. 35 km
• Next Free Camps:
  • Lake Lonsdale Foreshore – Approx. 20 km
  • Green Hill Lake Reserve (Ararat) – Approx. 30 km
• Nearest Dump Points:
  • Located onsite at the Great Western Recreation Reserve.
• Nearest Petrol Station:
  • Great Western – Approx. 1 km
• Drinking Water Resupply:
  • Available onsite.
• Public Toilets:
  • Available onsite.

Seasonal Weather Forecast

• Summer (Dec-Feb): Warm to hot and generally dry, averaging 14-29°C.
• Autumn (Mar-May): Mild, sunny days and cool nights, the peak season for visiting wineries, averaging 8-22°C.
• Winter (Jun-Aug): Cold and crisp, with frequent frosts, but often with clear, sunny days, averaging 3-13°C.
• Spring (Sep-Nov): Cool to mild with increasing sunshine, a great time for exploring the Grampians, averaging 6-20°C.