Best caravan parks in Gippsland: beachside and hinterland gems

The best caravan parks in Gippsland offer everything from beachside access to rainforest escapes. These three parks, spanning Gippsland's diverse landscapes, are consistently rated highly by Camplify travellers for their facilities, locations and genuine local character.

Browse campervans and caravans for hire in Gippsland if you already know your dates.

Gippsland stretches from Melbourne's eastern fringe to the NSW border, taking in some of Victoria's most varied terrain. The region covers everything from South Gippsland's rolling green hills to East Gippsland's coastal wilderness and the alpine fringes of the High Country. Camplify trip data shows the average stay here runs just under six days, with families making up nearly a third of travellers and summer drawing the biggest crowds. Popular routes among Camplify's community include the Melbourne to Mallacoota coastal run and the 500km South Gippsland loop that takes in Lake Wellington and Golden Beach.

The parks featured here reflect what Camplify's community of owners and hirers consistently recommend. Walkerville offers classic beachside camping near Wilson's Promontory, Best Friends Holiday Retreat sits deep in the Strzelecki Ranges rainforest, and Bear Gully provides a bush camping experience in the Tarra-Bulga National Park hinterland. Between them, they cover the three distinct faces of Gippsland camping: coast, forest and high country fringe. Pickup is available across Gippsland, and delivery works well for travellers who want a campervan waiting at their chosen park.

Coastal caravan parks in Gippsland's south

Walkerville Caravan Park

Walkerville Caravan Park sits on the coast between Waratah Bay and Sandy Point in South Gippsland, about 200 metres back from the beach. Popular among Camplify travellers for extended stays, particularly five-night trips, the park offers powered and unpowered sites with direct access to the walking tracks that lead through coastal scrub to the sand. The beach here is wide and often windswept, better suited to walking and surfing than swimming, though the rock pools at the southern end draw families during low tide.

The facilities include a camp kitchen, clean amenities blocks, a playground and a small kiosk that stocks basics. Travellers heading to Wilsons Promontory often base themselves here, as the park provides easier access and better availability than the national park's own campsites during peak periods. Feedback from Camplify's community highlights the relaxed vibe and the fact that sites are reasonably spacious, even during school holidays. The park allows pets in designated areas, which makes it a solid choice for those travelling with dogs along the dog friendly caravan parks circuit.

Camplify owners who know South Gippsland suggest combining Walkerville with day trips to Tidal River in Wilson's Prom, the Waratah Bay township and the Agnes Falls inland near Toora. The sealed roads make towing straightforward, and the park's location means you can explore the Prom's southern circuits without committing to the national park's tighter camping restrictions. Book ahead for Christmas, Easter and the January long weekends when this stretch of coast fills quickly.

Quick facts:

• Distance: 180km southeast of Melbourne via South Gippsland Highway

• Best for: Families, couples, pet owners seeking coastal access near Wilson's Prom

• Key facilities: Powered and unpowered sites, camp kitchen, amenities blocks, playground, kiosk, pet-friendly areas

• Book ahead: Christmas, New Year, Easter, January long weekends

Can't tow? Get a campervan delivered to Walkerville Caravan Park.

Rainforest and hinterland camping in Gippsland

Best Friends Holiday Retreat Tarra Valley

Best Friends Holiday Retreat Tarra Valley is tucked into farmland on the edge of the Strzelecki Ranges, about 15 minutes from the Tarra-Bulga National Park entrance. The retreat sits on 40 acres of regenerating rainforest and pasture, with sites scattered along the valley floor and basic amenities that suit travellers looking for a quieter alternative to commercial parks. This is a member of the Best Friends Holiday Retreats network, which means pet owners get priority access and the entire park is designed around travelling with dogs.

The sites are large and mostly grassed, with plenty of space between neighbours. The property includes walking tracks through the rainforest pockets, a dam for supervised dog swimming, and a small shelter with basic facilities. Camplify travellers rate it highly for the peaceful atmosphere and the direct access to Tarra-Bulga's walking trails, including the Suspension Bridge Walk and the Cyathea Falls track. Hirers who've stayed here consistently mention the quiet nights and the fact that you're genuinely off the main routes, which makes it ideal for those breaking up the Melbourne to Lakes Entrance run with a couple of nights in the ranges.

Based on thousands of Camplify trips through Gippsland, travellers heading to Tarra Valley in winter should expect cold, wet weather and pack accordingly. The property sits at elevation, and mornings can be genuinely chilly even in shoulder seasons. The access road is sealed most of the way, with the final stretch on gravel that's well maintained but narrow in sections. Popular among Camplify's community for couples and those travelling with pets, the retreat works best as a two or three-night stop rather than a week-long base.

Quick facts:

• Distance: 170km east of Melbourne via Princes Highway and Tarra Valley Road

• Best for: Pet owners, couples, travellers seeking rainforest tranquility

• Key facilities: Large grassed sites, basic amenities, walking tracks, dog swimming dam, pet-friendly throughout

• Book ahead: Long weekends, winter school holidays

Can't tow? Get a campervan delivered to Best Friends Holiday Retreat Tarra Valley.

Bush camping near Gippsland's national parks

Bear Gully Campground

Bear Gully Campground sits within the Tarra-Bulga National Park's southern section, accessible via a sealed road that winds through mountain ash forest and cool temperate rainforest. Managed by Parks Victoria, this is a small bush campground with basic facilities: pit toilets, picnic tables, fire rings (when permitted) and not much else. The sites are unpowered and suited to self-sufficient campers who want immersion in the forest environment without the infrastructure of a commercial park.

The campground serves as a base for exploring the park's walking tracks, including the Tarra Valley Rainforest Walk and the Cyathea Falls circuit. Feedback from real Camplify travellers highlights the birdlife, the moss-covered tree ferns, and the fact that mobile reception is patchy to nonexistent. This is deliberate disconnection territory. The national park's elevation means temperatures drop noticeably compared to the coast, and rain is common year-round. Camplify trip data shows winter travellers are drawn to this area despite the weather, often combining it with the coastal trio of 99 Mile Beach, Lake Tyers and Mallacoota that forms East Gippsland's classic route.

Bear Gully suits experienced campers comfortable with basic facilities and bush camping protocols. The sites are first-come, first-served during quieter periods, though Parks Victoria recommends booking ahead for summer and Easter when demand spikes. The park enforces fire restrictions strictly, and generators are prohibited. Travellers towing larger caravans should check site dimensions before arrival, as some spaces suit campervans and smaller vans better than full-size rigs. For those working through Victoria's network of national park campsites, Bear Gully offers a genuine rainforest experience without the crowds that pack Wilson's Prom and the Grampians during peak season.

Quick facts:

• Distance: 175km east of Melbourne via Princes Highway and Grand Ridge Road

• Best for: Experienced campers, nature lovers, those seeking digital detox

• Key facilities: Unpowered sites, pit toilets, picnic tables, fire rings (seasonal), no showers or powered sites

• Book ahead: Summer holidays, Easter long weekend

Can't tow? Get a campervan delivered to Bear Gully Campground.

Book your Gippsland camping trip

These three parks cover the range of what makes Gippsland caravan parks worth the drive: coastal access near major attractions, rainforest retreats for travellers with pets, and bush camping for those who want the forest without the frills. Browse campervans and caravans for hire to find a vehicle from Camplify's community of owners, with pickup available across Victoria and delivery to your chosen park if you'd rather skip the tow.