Guide to exploring Victoria in a Campervan

Melbourne is Australia's second-largest city and this state capital of Victoria has plenty on offer. The city has a vibrant food and arts scene, stunning beaches and a wealth of outdoor activities to explore (oh, and don’t forget the incredible coffee!). All from the comfort of your campervan!

The great thing about Victoria is that it's a relatively small state, so you don't have to travel far out of Melbourne to soak up the beauty of this state’s national parks. Here are some of the best national parks to check out on your Victoria road trip:

• Grampians National Park is a world-famous hiking area filled with majestic waterfalls and mountain panoramas. This is also the perfect spot to meet some Australian wildlife in their natural habitat. Keep your eyes peeled for kangaroos, emus, wallabies and native birds.
• Great Otway National Park is located just north of the Great Ocean Road; spanning from Torquay to the Otway hinterland. This region is best known for being home to the Redwood Forest – some of the tallest trees in the world!
• Wilson’s Promontory National Park gained its fame for being the most southerly point of mainland Australia. However, the true magic of this national park is in the remote coastal walks and pristine beaches that are just begging to be explored.
• Mount Buffalo National Park, also called ‘the island in the sky’, is the perfect alpine retreat. Here you can toboggan down into the valley, explore the hiking trails among the snow gum forests and soak up the views from Mount Buffalo.

• Twelve Apostles are one of Australia's most famous natural landmarks and a must-see when visiting Victoria. The Twelve Apostles were formed over time by erosion from wind and water currents that have eroded away softer rock leaving behind large limestone stacks. These striking rock formations are a photographer's dream!
• Mount Disappointment is a striking mountain located on the southern end of the Great Dividing Range, just one hour from the heart of Melbourne. As one of Melbourne’s most accessible forest areas, this is a perfect spot to enjoy a night of camping, hiking and park up for a picnic.

Big4 Melbourne Holiday Park is the perfect place to park your campervan overnight while you explore the beauty and glamour of Melbourne’s CBD. Just 9km from the city, you are just a stone’s throw from the action. This caravan park also has everything you need, from an adventure playground for kids, a gym for adults, a movie room, and even a solar-heated pool so you can swim there all year long!

NRMA Port Campbell Holiday Park is located in the heart of Port Campbell village. This little seaside port is also a great base to explore the surrounding Otway National Park and visit the iconic Twelve Apostles. If that wasn’t enough, the park is jam-packed with facilities, including a camp kitchen, dump point, laundry, BBQ and a gym.

Big4 Yarra Valley Park Lane Holiday Park is a bushland escape like no other. This park is surrounded by native wildlife and bush, and with all the classic caravan park amenities you could want, like a campervan kitchen, BBQ area, playground and coffee kiosk, this is the perfect place to kick back and relax. This caravan park is also in perfect proximity to some of the best wineries to visit in Victoria. So be sure to treat yourself to a wine tasting at one of the local cellar doors while exploring the area.

Big4 Aireys Inlet Holiday Park is located on the famous Great Ocean Road and is a perfect place to base yourself to explore Torquay, the Twelve Apostles and more. This boutique park is also an easy walk to local beaches and restaurants and has amenities like a coffee van, children’s playground, swimming pool and camp kitchen to help make your stay more comfortable.

Before setting off on your campervan adventure, it's important to familiarize yourself with the Victoria road rules. This will help you feel more confident, especially if it's your first time behind the wheel driving around Australia. Here are a few tips for driving in Victoria:

• Keep left - If you are travelling from abroad, remember to keep left while exploring Victorian roads.
• Beware of trams - Melbourne is one of the few cities in Australia where trams operate. Unlike trains, trams share the road with cars. Be aware of additional signage when driving near trams.
• Use appropriate child safety restraints – There are a number of specific rules and regulations around child car seats depending on their age. If you are travelling with children, check these regulations to ensure you have the appropriate car seat for your child/ren.

The weather in Victoria, like much of Australia, can change quickly. So always be prepared and check the forecast. Overall, Victoria enjoys warm summers, glowy springs, moody Autumns, and crisp, cool winters. In summer, you will see a high of 26°C and a low of 15°C, and in winter, you can expect a high of 15°C and crisp lows of 5°C. With an average annual rainfall of 649mm, it's worth packing a rainjacket no matter what time of year you are exploring Victoria.

Victoria is a campervan camping haven with a huge array of camping options, from fully serviced sites to remote bush escapes. Freedom camping in Victoria is also permitted in designated areas, such as in dispersed camping areas within national parks and crown land. For more details on free camping and paid camping in Victoria, download the thl Roadtrip App. This app includes an extensive list of campsites that you can choose to stay at during your Australian road trip.

Here are a few things to consider when deciding what to bring on your road trip:

• Weather-appropriate clothing – When planning what clothes to pack, consider what time of year you will be travelling and the type of activities you will be doing (ie. swimmers for the beach, sturdy shoes for hiking and so on)
• Sunscreen and insect repellent – SPF 50+ is an Australian necessity no matter what time of year you are visiting
• Water bottle – This is a handy essential to ensure you stay hydrated while exploring the varied Australian climate

For a more comprehensive list of what to pack, check out our guide on what to bring on your campervan holiday.