Victoria’s coast may not have the cache of other states, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less beloved. So, where are the best coastal caravan sites for your next visit?
As usual, before you head off and to make sure you are getting the best value out of your trip, join the big chains’ membership clubs, check with your roadside assistance group for discounts and to try to travel off-peak. Many parks also offer an extra free night over a certain number of nights, especially in the ‘off’ season.
NRMA Phillip Island Beachfront Holiday Park
I’m a bit torn over my choice here. Big4 Ingenia Holidays gets higher online ratings, but it’s too far from the action, being located near the bridge to the mainland. For the best location I’m going to have to go with something in Cowes, so the NRMA Phillip Island Beachfront Holiday Park it is.
This absolute beachfront park is a short walk to the main shopping strip and there are plenty of beach walks.
Accommodation options: cabins, caravan sites, glamping and camping.
Amenities
- e-bikes for hire
- free wifi
- pizza oven
- camp kitchen
- kiosk
- pet friendly in certain cabins only and with plenty of rules.
Known for: penguins, penguins and penguins. The park is just a 13-minute drive to the Penguin Parade grounds.
While you are there: Phillip Island is well set up for tourism in a relatively compact area. There are plenty of options to enjoy the stunning natural wildlife, sea cruises, go fishing, there are good shopping and food options and, of course, the motor racing, but that’s only for the dedicated, because the traffic is insane during those events.
Big 4 Apollo Bay Pisces Holiday Park
If you want champagne views on a beer budget, this Big4 park is for you. With sweeping, elevated views of the bay, it’s hard to believe a five-star resort didn’t snap this site up. The only downside is it’s a bit out of town, but for some people that’s the whole point. Apollo Bay can be absolutely nut-bag crazy during busy periods, so it can be good to get away from the crowds.
Accommodation options: beach houses (really just fancy cabins), glamping, cabins, small motorhome site, (up to 10m wide) powered and unpowered sites with concrete and grass, camping.
Amenities
- fire pit
- games room
- heated swimming pool,
- TV and internet lounge
- regular special activities and food trucks, visit here for more information
- adventure playground
- no pets.
Known for: being on the Great Ocean Road, one of Australia’s best road trips and its many attractions including the Twelve Apostles. Also, you absolutely must enjoy a glass of wine at one of the park’s outdoor dining areas overlooking the bay.
While you are there: great hiking opportunities, some of the best seafood in the country can be bought straight off the pier at the Apollo Bay Fishing Co-op, and plenty of good food and wine options.
Anglesea Family Caravan Park
This one pops up regularly on ‘best of’ lists. Beachfront location with a 10-minute walk to shops. Anglesea traditionally was the poor cousin of its trendy neighbours Torquay and Lorne, but has made a smart turnaround in the past decade or so.
Accommodation options: cottages, cabins, dog-friendly cabins, accessible cabin, powered and unpowered sites, bush campsites
Amenities
- mini golf
- pretty damn fancy updated camp kitchen and undercover barbecues
- dog friendly but with rules.
Known for: kangaroos roam the grounds and you will be lulled to sleep by the sound of the waves
While you are there: loads of hiking and mountain bike trails, link up to the Otway Harvest Trail and home to the excellent Anglesea Golf Club with even more kangaroos. So many kangaroos, they even offer specialty tours.
Big4 Ingenia Holidays Inverloch
Probably a bit more family orientated than many grey nomads would like, but this park is a great stop-off point to explore lush South Gippsland and Wilsons Promontory.
Accommodation options: cabins, fancy cabins called villas, glamping units, ensuite grass sites, ensuite slab sites, powered and unpowered sites including drive-through sites, motorhome sites up to 10m wide.
Amenities
- indoor heated splash park
- heated pool
- adventure playground,
- indoor table tennis and air hockey in television room
- free wifi
- camp kitchen
- no dogs.
Known for: a real bush feel, just a 90-minute drive from Melbourne.
While you are there: the Shell Museum is kind of fascinating and I’m not really sure why. Enjoy a wine or three at Dirty Three Wines and walk it all off at the Foreshore Walking Track, a 2.5km stretch of trail that takes in the calm waters of Andersons Inlet.
Gardens Port Fairy Caravan Park
People who don’t live in Victoria are probably wondering where this is, and that’s just the way the locals like it. Port Fairy is a little oasis of wealth because it’s the beach holiday spot of choice for many rich Western District farmers, so while you can expect a seaside village feel, the food, drink and shopping options are top-notch for a town of this size.
There are a few good caravan park options, but this one is closest to the beach.
Accommodation options: cabins, powered and unpowered sites, grassed site only.
Amenities
- free wifi
- tennis court, basketball courts, football oval
- minutes from Boat ramp
- camp kitchen
- dog friendly at the discretion of the management.
Known for: loads of nature. It’s next to the Port Fairy Botanic Gardens, surrounded by majestic Norfolk pines and is on the Moyne River.
While you are there: a few good art galleries and second-hand shops, surf lessons and excellent fish and chips.
Do you have a favourite Victorian caravan park? Why not share your recommendation in the comments section below?
Also read: Six of the best NSW beach caravan parks
These are fine as Holiday Parks or Tourist Resort as places where you go as a destination for a holiday.
What we desperately need are more Caravan Parks and Camping Grounds with minimum facilities, toilets, showers, maybe a camp kitchen and meeting room for overnight, and travellers at a reasonable cost.
The Holiday Parks and Tourist Parks are far to expensive for those travelling who don’t need all the bells and whistles.