V & C Impressions

Almost Grey Nomads in Australia

Tag: Regional Victoria

  • Smoko Campground – Free

    Smoko Campground – Free

    This has to be one of the nicest free campgrounds we have been to in a while. Beautiful scenery, which for us was reminiscence of Canada. A lake to cool down in, plenty of space and walking tracks.

    This campground follows on from our previous over night camp at Echuca Rotary Park.

    • Website: Bright & Surrounds
    • Fee Category: Free
    • Booking: No
    • Dog Friendly: Yes
    • Amenities: Toilet – long drop
    • Dump point: No
    • Pool: No
    • Fire pits: Yes
    • Telstra: Good
    • Starlink: May have problems with trees
    Smoko campground track
    Smoko campground track

    Our Experience

    We were initially going to stay here for one night, but liked it so much we stayed another night. The drive here through Bright was beautiful and scenic, so after the outback we were taken aback by how lush and green everything was.

    The campsite itself is quite large with lots of nooks and crannies you should be able to find a spot. When we arrived it was very busy, a 4wd club had finished their run up in the Highlands for 9 days so they were camping before the drive back home. The next day the place emptied out with just a few remaining. The spot were had was by the drop toilet so once everyone had left, we decided to move to a better position next to a fire pit. The fire pit had a movable bar that you could put a camp over over.

    The campsites are relatively level and suit all types of campers from tents, roof top tents, motor homes, vans, trucks and caravan – we saw the lot. The single long-drop toilet was clean and you do need to bring your own toilet paper. With the mountain ranges surrounding you, plus the trees, I would think this would be a good sheltered place to be. The tracks are dirt so in the rain it could get slippery.

    This campsite, and in fact the whole area, is now on our list to visit again and instead of passing through we will stay for a few more days or weeks. Definitely worth a look and stay.

    I would think in winter it could get very cold, as further up the road and round the corner is Mt Hotham and ski fields.

    A few pics

    Smoko campground campsite
    Smoko campground campsite
    Smoko campground track leading into campsite
    Smoko campground track leading into campsite
  • Echuca Rotary Park – Donation Camp

    Echuca Rotary Park – Donation Camp

    This is a good donation camp site to stop at for a few days. You do have to be self contained, but with enough supplies you could stay here for a week. The place felt safe, with some other campers being there for a few days.

    • Website: Rotary Park
    • Fee Category: Donation
    • Booking: No
    • Dog Friendly: Yes
    • Amenities: No
    • Dump point: Yes
    • Pool: No
    • Fire pits: Yes
    • Telstra: Good
    • Starlink: May have problems with trees
    Old Farm machinery within Campgroung
    Old Farm machinery within Campgroung

    Our Opinion

    This campsite is big, so no need to worry about not being able to find a place to stay. The first part is a gravel type of park and if you want to stay under the trees and closer to the river then keep driving to the left and the track will tack you down to the second section of the campsite. That’s where we stayed. It was hot so we were happy to be shaded by the trees

    Enter the park off Rose St, Campaspe Esp, Google sent us to the entrance off Northern Hwy, which we could not find.

    If you have the right setup, you could stay here for a few days, especially since there is a dump point on site, which is usually the first problem when camping off grid, the toilet cassette gets full. There is potable water however we didn’t need it and unsure where the tap is located.

    The river was not flowing very fast when we where there in March. The caretaker did say the water is from farmland and should be ok to swim in and but up to you. There are fish in the river so I suppose it can’t be that bad.

    The have a mini train track at the bottom section with a railway station. This is open the 1st Sun each month from March to December and they ask you not to camp within a certain distance of the tracks. Shame it wasn’t going when we were there. Will have to time it better on our next visit.

    You need to register and pay. This is self service. A little tool box on the wall containing pens to complete the form and pop it into a zip lock type bag and shove in the slot.

    There was a row of old farm machinery at the top by the grave/dirt track and various other parts around the place. Very relaxing and felt safe and will be back to this awesome donation camp.

    We stayed down by the river and would feel safe leaving the caravan there to go exploring. Since we were only doing an over night stop we didn’t disconnect and take a look around town. Save that for next time.

    Campsite view of the Murray River
    Campsite view of the Murray River
    Old Farm machinery next to drveway
    Old Farm machinery next to drveway
    Echuca Rotary Park grounds
    Echuca Rotary Park grounds
    Echuca Rotary Park campground signs
    Echuca Rotary Park campground signs