If you’re ready for some urban adventures in Melbourne – and are keen to bring your own lodgings – these top caravan parks are the perfect place to set up camp.

 

We Are Explorers acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Countries on which these adventures take place who have occupied and cared for these lands, waters, and their inhabitants for thousands of years. We pay our respects to them and recognise that sovereignty was never ceded.

Melbourne might be a city of riverside hotels and worldwide cuisines, but that doesn’t mean we don’t like to pitch a tent and cook a few snags on the BBQ. From a creekside location in the inner suburbs to a resort-style park in the city’s most popular wine region – these Melbourne caravan parks are a home away from home for urban Explorers.

Enjoy holiday park facilities that make all the difference in a city known for its unpredictable weather – we’re talking heated pools, undercover BBQs, and ensuite sites. Plus, public transport options are a plenty, so you can leave the car behind and avoid the infamous hook-turns in the city.

Explore Melbourne on foot, on two wheels, or with a paddle in hand – and even bring your four-legged friend along on the adventure. After a day of urban adventure (and microadventures) head back to a spot by the campfire and refuel with a snag or two from the BBQ!

Read more: Remember to leave no trace

Top Caravan Parks Melbourne

1. Big4 Melbourne Holiday Park

Location: 265 Elizabeth Street, Coburg
Drive time from Melbourne: 25 minutes
Accommodation: Villas, Units, Cabins, Ensuite Sites, Powered and Unpowered Sites
Facilities: Gym, Camp Kitchen, Movie Room, Outdoor Spa, Heated Pool, Playground, Games Room
Pet friendly: No
Average cost per night: $90 for powered site

If you’re looking for Melbourne holiday parks right near the city centre, head to the leafy surrounds of the Big4 Melbourne Holiday Park. The park is just 9km from the city centre and has multiple public transport options nearby.

It’s a great base to ride into the city and explore the urban bike trails. Or you can head out for a stroll on the Edgars Creek Trail which runs alongside the park and follows the creek through bushland.

Within the park you can enjoy the resort-style swimming pool and outdoor spa, squeeze in a workout at the gym, or chill in the movie or games rooms – while the adventure playground will keep the kids busy.

 

Big4 Melbourne Holiday Park, Melbourne Caravan Parks

Splash in the heated pool! | Image thanks to Big4 Melbourne Holiday Park

2. Big4 Mornington Peninsula Holiday Park

Location: 2 Robinsons Road, Frankston South
Drive time from Melbourne: 50 minutes
Accommodation: Units, Cabins, Ensuite Sites, Powered Sites
Facilities: Camp Kitchen, Playground, Tennis Courts, Swimming Pool, Go Karts
Pet friendly: No
Average cost per night: $61 for powered site – minimum 2 night stay

A stay at the BIG4 Mornington Peninsula Holiday Park is a great way to be close to the natural attractions of the peninsula, whilst still being an easy drive or train ride from the city.

The peninsula’s beaches and walking trails are a great place to get your adventure on. Trek to Bushrangers Bay, seek out hidden rockpools, or hit the surf. Meanwhile those in need of relaxing can kick back at a winery or in the popular hot springs.

The park has everything you need to keep the kids entertained – adventure playground, jumping pillow, tennis court, pump track, and heated outdoor pool. To head into the city you can take the train from Frankston or it’s an easy drive in on the highway.

 

Big4 Mornington Peninsula, Melbourne Caravan Parks

Stay on the Mornington Peninsula! | Image thanks to Big4 Mornington Peninsula

3. Lilydale Pine Hill Caravan Park

Location: 105 Warburton Highway, Lilydale
Drive time from Melbourne: 1 hour
Accommodation: Cabins, Ensuite Sites, Powered and Unpowered Sites
Facilities: Camp Kitchen, Fire Pits, Playground
Pet friendly: Yes
Average cost per night: $50 for powered site

Stay on Melbourne’s fringe – and right at the gateway to the Yarra Valley – at Lilydale Pine Hill Caravan Park. The Yarra Valley is famous for wine, but also offers excellent food, nature walks, cycling and fun adventures like hot air ballooning.

The Lilydale location gives you great access to the Dandenongs, as well as to Melbourne. For an urban adventure take a train from Lilydale into the city, or it’s a one hour drive.

Explore the city sights, including parklands, the Yarra River and the famous sports precinct. Then return to the caravan park for a cook up in the camp kitchen and a night around the fire at your campsite.

 

Explorer’s Guide to Yarra Valley & Dandenong Ranges, Ben Savage, bushwalk, river, stream, ferns, forest

Explore the Yarra Valley | @ben.savage

4. Crystal Brook Tourist Park

Location: 182 Heidelberg-Warrandyte Road, Doncaster East
Drive time from Melbourne: 35 minutes
Accommodation: Villas, Cabins, Ensuite Sites, Powered and Unpowered Sites
Facilities: Camp Kitchen, Playground, Pool, Games Room, Off-Leash Dog Area
Pet friendly: Yes
Average cost per night: $70 for a powered site

On the city fringe, with plenty of green space nearby, is the Crystal Brook Tourist Park. Set amongst the gum trees, the spacious sites are the perfect place to kick back and relax. If you want to explore the region, head out into the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges – for great cycling trails, rainforest walks, and wineries.

This Melbourne caravan park is particularly dog-friendly, with a designated off-leash dog area that features an agility course – so your four-legged friend can join in on the action too!

A 35-minute drive into the city lets you explore the galleries, bars, restaurants, and museums that Melbourne is known for. Or take your pooch and check out Melbourne’s best dog-friendly walks!

 

Crystal Brook Tourist Park, Melbourne Caravan Parks

Dog-friendly campsites! | Image thanks to Crystal Brook Tourist Park

5. Mornington Gardens Holiday Village

Location: 98 Bungower Road, Mornington
Drive time from Melbourne: 1 hour
Accommodation: Cabins, Ensuite Sites, Powered and Unpowered Sites
Facilities: Camp Kitchen, Playground, Games Room, Library
Pet friendly: No
Average cost per night: $50

Located on the Mornington Peninsula, the Mornington Gardens Holiday Village is just a short drive from the beach – making it a great summer location for some seaside action!

Take the kids in the school holidays and they can make friends at the playground and games room – while you can relax under the shady trees with a book borrowed from the onsite library.

Head out to explore the bayside and the adventure-filled peninsula. The Two Bays Walking Trail lets you traverse the peninsula, exploring epic coastlines and taking in the views from Arthurs Seat. The bayside beaches are calm and great for swimming and fishing, while the oceanside has some excellent surf spots.

 

A close up of a hillside next to a tree

Check out the coast from the Two Bays Trail

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6. The Gums Campground

Location: Kinglake-Glenburn Road, Kinglake West
Drive time from Melbourne: 80 minutes
Accommodation: Unpowered Sites
Facilities: Fire Pits, BBQs, Picnic Tables
Pet friendly: No
Average cost per night: $16

Explore Melbourne’s Kinglake National Park from your leafy base at The Gums Campground. The Kinglake Ranges lie just north of Melbourne and are full of nature trails, waterfalls, and plenty of wildlife.

The campground has 18 individual campsites, five of which are suitable for campervans and caravans. There are shared picnic tables and wood fireplaces, as well as a free communal BBQ. Don’t be surprised to wake up to the sounds of birds and see a wallaby hop by in the evenings!

Head out to explore the area on the Cicada Circuit short walk, which starts at the campground. Or venture to the nearby Wombelano Falls and Mason Falls. If the city isn’t your vibe, but you’re after a relaxing getaway near Melbourne – The Gums Campground could be the perfect spot!

 

The Gums Campground, Kinglake, Melbourne Caravan Parks

Set up camp at The Gums Campground | Image thanks to Parks Victoria

7. Werribee South Caravan Park

Location: 39 Beach Road, Werribee South
Drive time from Melbourne: 35 minutes
Accommodation: Cabins, Powered Sites
Facilities: Tennis Court, Playground
Pet friendly: Yes
Average cost per night: $42 for powered site

For a spot of fishing in Port Phillip Bay and some great natural attractions nearby, Werribee South Caravan Park is the perfect stop, just a short drive from Melbourne. This small, family-friendly caravan park is located right across the street from Port Phillip Bay and the Werribee Pier.

There are boat launching facilities if you fancy a day out on the water or set out on foot to explore the Bay Trail. Starting right outside the caravan park it’s 5km one way along the bayside to Wyndham Harbour.

The caravan park has all the facilities you need for a comfortable stay and is located right next to a recreation reserve with tennis courts and a playground. To visit Melbourne’s centre – or find more local fishing spots – you can head for the highway and cruise on in to see the city sights.

 

Werribee South Caravan Park, Bay Trail, Melbourne Caravan Parks

Set out along the Bay Trail | Image thanks to Werribee South Caravan Park

8. Big4 Dandenong Tourist Park

Location: 370 Frankston-Dandenong Road, Dandenong South
Drive time from Melbourne: 35 minutes
Accommodation: Cabins, Powered Sites
Facilities: Camp Kitchen, Recreation Room, Playground
Pet friendly: No
Average cost per night: $56 for powered site

In Melbourne’s south-east, just a short drive from Port Phillip Bay, is the Big4 Dandenong Tourist Park. The park is a great place to base yourself for exploring both the bayside and the Dandenong Ranges.

Take a day trip to great trails like the 1000 Steps in the Dandenongs. You could even head down to Mornington Peninsula’s beaches and seaside towns. To explore Melbourne, you can grab a bus and train into the CBD.

At the park itself, you can keep the family entertained with a recreation room and playground, plus a camp kitchen for a cook-up at the end of a big day of exploring.

 

Victoria Has a New 72km Walk Through the Dandenong Ranges - Jason Williams, Dandenong Ranges, Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens

Dandenong Ranges | Image thanks to Visit Victoria

9. BIG4 Yarra Valley Park Lane Holiday Park

Location: 419 Don Road, Badger Creek
Drive time from Melbourne: 75 minutes
Accommodation: Glamping, Cabins, Ensuite Sites, Powered and Unpowered Sites
Facilities: Cafe and Licenced Kiosk, Communal Fire Pit, Pool, Playground, Pump Track, Jumping Pillow, Tennis Courts, Games Room
Pet friendly: No
Average cost per night: $60 for powered site

The Yarra Valley’s BIG4 Park Lane Holiday Park in Healesville is a destination in itself. You can fill your days with fun – without even having to leave the resort.

Chill by the pool, have a hit at the tennis courts, stop in at the kiosk for some excellent local wines and brews, then kick back by the communal fire pit in the evenings.

Along with some fun glamping and accommodation options, you can spend the night in one of two vintage, refurbished Melbourne trams – an iconic accommodation that’ll no doubt be a highlight of your trip.

If you want to venture out, you can explore the Yarra Valley’s restaurants, wineries, walking trails, and even visit the the wildlife at Healesville Sanctuary. The trip to Melbourne will take you over an hour’s drive, but you might just find all you need is close by.

 

Big4 Yarra Valley Park Lane, Melbourne Caravan Parks

Vintage tram accommodation! | Image thanks to Big4 Yarra Valley Park Lane

10. Discovery Holiday Parks Melbourne

Location: 129 Ashley Street, Braybrook
Drive time from Melbourne: 20 minutes
Accommodation: Apartments, Cabins, Ensuite Sites, Powered and Unpowered Sites
Facilities: Activity Room, Camp Kitchen, Playground, Pool
Pet friendly: Yes
Average cost per night: $65 for powered site

If urban exploring is your jam, Discovery Holiday Parks Melbourne is a great base. It has a range of accommodation options as well as plenty of sites to set up your caravan or pitch your tent.

You get all the convenience of the holiday park’s facilities – camp kitchen, laundry, swimming pool, and activity room. Plus your four-legged friend is welcome to join you (on sites only).

To check out Melbourne’s bike tracks, climbing gyms, and buzzing food scene, you’re just a short bus and train ride from the CBD. Leave your car at the holiday park to enjoy a day discovering the city.

 

Discovery Parks Melbourne, Best Caravan Parks

Relax by the pool! | Image thanks to Discovery Parks Melbourne

Ready for an urban adventure at these Melbourne caravan parks?

Have you visited these top caravan parks in Melbourne? Would you prefer to stay close to the city for maximum convenience? Or venture further out where you can wake to bird calls and leafy surrounds? Let us know in the comments!

 

Feature image thanks to Big4 Dandenong Tourist Park

We’ve shared these recommendations because we genuinely rate them and want you to enjoy them too. Our writers use a mix of personal experience and research to compile these lists, and they’re also encouraged to be honest when things aren’t up to scratch. For more information on our approach, check out our Editorial Standards.