If you are searching for the best things to do in Victoria in the warmer, more temperate months, checking out swimming holes is a no-brainer! Take a break from the traditional tourist attractions in Victoria and immerse yourself in the wild and diverse beauty this state has to offer at one of many gorgeous swimming spots. Whether you are exploring for a weekend or a few weeks, we have curated a list of the best swimming holes to visit on your upcoming Victoria travel itinerary.
The top swimming holes to visit in Victoria
Victoria is a stunningly biodiverse state. Whether you’re exploring the rugged beauty of the Grampians or the calm pools of the Victoria high country, there are plenty of stunning swimming holes and idyllic swimming spots scattered all over the state. Here are some of the best swimming holes to check out on your upcoming campervan adventure through Victoria.
Lake Catani
Lake Catani is located in Mount Buffalo National Park, just 4 hours and 20 minutes from the heart of Melbourne. What began as water storage for workers constructing the Mount Buffalo Chalet has grown into one of the most popular recreation spots in the Mount Buffalo region. People gather from all around to paddle their kayaks, try and catch a bite fishing, and of course, cool off with a swim in the warmer months. This lake is also surrounded by stunning nature trails. Whether you are chasing a view from above at the Buckland Valley or are an experienced caver looking to explore the underground river tracks, there is plenty to explore at this iconic swimming spot.
Looking for a place to park up close by? Grab a campsite for the night at Mount Buffalo caravan park. This park is set on 12 acres of open parkland and features everything you would need for a campervan adventure, including:
A camp kitchen
Fire drums
A kiosk
Playground
Laundry facilities
Amenity blocks.
Venus Baths
Three hours from Melbourne is the famed Venus Baths – one of the Grampians National Park’s most stunning attractions. Featuring a beautiful sandstone shelf, cascading waterfalls, and scattered rock pools, this oasis is begging to be explored. However, it’s important to note that in the summer months, the water begins to stagnate and dry up – so if you are planning a visit, be sure to stop by between September to November when they are at their best. These pools are the perfect stop on a springtime adventure when they are flowing and at full capacity.
Once you have finished exploring, you can stay the night in the foothills of the Grampians at Halls Gap holiday park – easily one of the best Halls Gap accommodation spots. This stunning valley campground features incredible views of the surrounding mountain range as well as a range of other facilities, including:
A heated swimming pool
Game room
Bouncing pillow
Pedal go-carts
Tennis court
Amenities block
Camp kitchen
BBQ’s
Blue Pool
Blue Pool is another top Victorian swimming hole in Briagolong State Forest, just three hours from Melbourne. This swimming spot features a large waterhole and a picnic area – making it the perfect stop on a summer road trip through this southern state.
Whether you plan to stay for a day or a week, the best way to explore this area is to stay at Stratford on the river tourist park. As the name suggests, this park is located on the banks of the Avon River and offers stunning views of the river. In addition to the incredible views, there are a host of campervan facilities, including:
Amenities block
Camp kitchen
BBQ’s
Laundry
Swimming pool
St Georges Lake
If you are searching for a swimming hole a little closer to Melbourne, don’t miss the opportunity to visit St Georges Lake. Located in Creswick, just 1 hour and 45 minutes from Melbourne, sits this wide-spanning lake and picnic area. Surrounded by gums, bushland and large grassy plains, and with the added convenience of BBQ areas and toilets, this is the perfect spot to relax and enjoy a summer’s day.
If that wasn’t enough, there is also a conveniently located holiday park just around the corner. Creswick holiday park is a perfect spot to park just outside of the historic town of Ballarat. It also features several incredible campervan facilities on site to make your road trip stop a breeze, including:
Laundry
Amenities block
Children’s playground
Dump point
Camp kitchen
Ladies Bath Falls
Another gem located in Mount Buffalo National Park is the Ladies Bath Falls. Just three and a half hours from Melbourne, these clear cascading falls wind their way into an inviting pool on a hot summer's day. This is one of the first of many stunning swimming spots in the national park. Historically men and women on their way to the chalet would separate, and the women would cool off at the Ladies Bath falls while the men would continue toward Eurobin Falls to enjoy a swim. Luckily today, while travelling in a campervan, you can easily treat yourself to both!
Want to explore this place a little further? You can stay at Mount Buffalo caravan park for the night. Here you can rest and recuperate with all the campervan-friendly facilities on-site, including:
A camp kitchen
Fire drums
A kiosk
Playground
Laundry facilities
Amenity blocks.
Gooram Falls
Gooram Falls is another easily accessible swimming hole in Gooram, just 2 hours and 15 minutes from Melbourne. This pool is surrounded by granite rock, with a fall cascading over the upper rocks and feeding into the larger Seven Creeks area. There are two car parks from which you can access the falls, so no matter how busy it gets, you’ll be sure to have a place to park your campervan while you cool off in the inviting waters of this classic Victoria swimming spot.
If you hope to stay in the area to explore a little more, Euroa caravan park is an idyllic spot to park up for the night. This holiday park is located on the beautiful banks of the Seven Creeks and is a short 10-minute stroll into town, where you can enjoy the local cafes, eateries and attractions. There are also plenty of excellent campervan facilities on-site to keep you entertained and relaxed during your stay, including:
Playground
Solar-heated swimming pool
BBQ area
Camp kitchen
Campfires
Laundry
Modern Amenities
Polly Mcquinns
Polly McQuinns Swimming Hole is located in Strathbogie, around 2 hours and 15 minutes from Melbourne. This picturesque spot was once a natural creek and large deep water pool but has since been dammed to create a secondary waterbody for the local area. Here you can cool off in the deep-water pool or simply admire the water cascading over the weir wall under the road bridge as you enjoy a picnic on the banks.
Polly Mcquinns is conveniently located just around the corner from Gooram Falls – making it the perfect place to base yourself for a summer swimming hole hopping getaway. Again, Euroa caravan park is the most convenient base and gives you access to plenty of great amenities and facilities, including:
Campfires
Laundry
Modern Amenities
Playground
Solar-heated swimming pool
BBQ area
Camp kitchen
Road trip itineraries across Victoria
There is no better way to experience the best swimming holes in Victoria than on a campervan road trip. Whether you choose to stay close to Melbourne to explore the best things to do in Melbourne, or wander further into the Grampians National Park and beyond, there are plenty of road trip itineraries to guide you through some of the best things to do in Victoria (including checking out these stunning swimming spots!). Here are a few of our top Victoria travel itineraries:
10-day road trip through Victoria – Experience the very best that this region has to offer on this 10-day campervan road trip itinerary. Highlights include meandering through the Ottway National Park, exploring the streets of Adelaide, seeing wildlife on Kangaroo Island, climbing ancient granite mountains in Halls Gap, wandering the historic Ballarat and more.
Melbourne to Adelaide road trip is a short and sweet adventure through some of the most picturesque coastlines of Australia. On this road trip, you will have the chance to see surfers at Bells Beach, marvel at the 12 Apostles on the Great Ocean Road, and wander the vibrant streets of Adelaide city.
Melbourne to Uluru road trip – This 12-day road trip encompasses some of the most iconic landscapes and attractions Australia has to offer. Whether it's drinking world-famous wine in the Clare Valley, fossicking for opals in Coober Pedy, or watching the ochre red landscapes of Uluru transform at dusk – this trip is filled with iconic Australian attractions and activities.
Cool off in Victoria’s best swimming holes with Mighty
Ready to cool off in Victoria’s best swimming holes with Mighty? Hire a campervan with Mighty today and explore these incredible spots for yourself. You can easily book online or in your local branch, and then all that's left to do is to start planning your ultimate Australia road trip.
For more tips to prepare for your upcoming campervan trip and the best things to do in Melbourne, as well as other Victoria attractions to check out on your upcoming travel itinerary, visit the Mighty blog.
