Camp & Swim With Your Pooch (For Free) on the Banks of Lake Eildon, Victoria

On the outskirts of Victoria’s High Country lies Lake Eildon and its many waterside and dog friendly campgrounds, particularly at Delatite Arm Reserve, a 3.5 hour drive from Melbourne.

We Are Explorers acknowledges that this adventure is located on the traditional Country of the Taungurung People who have occupied and cared for the lands, waters, and their inhabitants for thousands of years. We pay our respects to them as the Traditional Custodians and recognise that sovereignty was never ceded.

Lake Eildon wakes up and dances when it’s full of water. If the rains come with dogged determination, the rising tide summons those with adventurous spirits. The free dog-friendly camping on offer across the Delatite Arm Reserve section of the lake, alongside its mountainous surrounds, will leave visitors howling in awe.

Quick Overview of Delatite Arm Reserve

Nestled in the Victorian High Country, Lake Eildon’s Delatite Arm Reserve is around 230km north-east of Melbourne and 20km south of the larger service town of Mansfield.

Read more: The Best Hikes in High Country Victoria 2024

Who needs #ThatWanakaTree when you’ve got this in Lake Eildon

About Lake Eildon’s Dog Friendly Camping

In tough times, freebies are welcome. And finding worthwhile dog-friendly campgrounds isn’t easy at the best of times. Fortunately, this is what the Delatite Arm Reserve offers – affordable, Fido-friendly adventure.

At Delatite Arm, you’ll find a combination of forestry, lake frontage, wildlife, hilly mounts, rivers, agriculture, and free camping spots where four-legged friends can get their weekend splash on. Kayaking, fishing, hiking, cross-country mountain bike riding, bush cooking, and sitting by the campfire are on the experience’s menu.

Read more: 10 Dog Friendly Hikes In Victoria 2024 [Including Waterfalls]

Lake Eildon History

Lake Eildon and the Mansfield-Mt Buller region have generational connections to the Taungurung People and the Yowong-Illam-Balluk Clan. Alongside the Wurundjeri, Bunurong, Wathaurong, and Dja Dja Wurrung People, the Kulin Nation is composed.

When the water level of Lake Eildon drops, evidence of scar trees and fish traps has been reported.

The dam wall for Lake Eildon began construction in 1951 and finished five years later in 1956. 96% of water flow is used for irrigation and environmental purposes, while 4% contributes to domestic water supply.

When full, this is a massive waterway. It’s ripe with over 500km of shoreline and six times the amount of water contained in Sydney Harbour. It’s one giant puddle to lap up!

The surrounding hills hold plenty of wildlife

How to Get to Lake Eildon’s Dog Friendly Camping

From Melbourne, the quickest route to the beginnings of Lake Eildon’s Delatite Arm Reserve is the 230km drive via the Maroondah and Melba Highways. Along the way, you get to take in Yarra Glenn grape country, cheer weakly as you pass through Yea, and remark on the serenity as you cross over the Bonnie Doon bridge.

Continue the B320 into Mansfield. Past Mansfield, head towards Mt Buller, then right turn onto the C511 towards Jamieson/Goughs Bay. Pass the Mansfield Zoo (note the grazing bison), and again make a right turn at Piries onto the Piries-Goughs Bay Road.

All of this takes you to Goughs Bay, and a last right-hand turn at Walshs Road. But heads up, don’t expect Delatite Arm Reserve to be a single area of free dog-friendly camping. It’s a 25km stretch of campsites along Walshs Road.

And soon enough, your dog will be mustering you out of the car

Where to Stay at Lake Eildon & Delatite Arm Reserve

Delatite Arm Reserve, also known as The Pines, is a stretch of around 30 campsites that track alongside Walshs Road as it winds around the high-water mark of Lake Eildon. While Walshs Road is gravel, 2WD drive vehicles towing a van can get the job done, despite the odd dog leg.

Camping is on a first-in, best-dressed basis, and dogs are welcome with the expectation that they’re under control and leashed, and dog poo is cleaned up.

The campsites are basic. Many, but not all, have a pit or long-drop style toilet – but be advised to bring your own toilet paper supply. Camp code is it’s your bum, so it’s your sheets. All other supplies and rubbish removal are a camper’s own responsibility here.

The bigger campsites are the ones most likely to have toilets

Many campsites are named, but quite a few merely get labelled with a generic ‘camping area’ sign. Heading out Walshs Road from Goughs Bay is a bit like rounding a Monopoly board and passing properties. You just need to roll a few double sixes to keep going.

They order: The Orchard, Newtons, Blue Gum Flat 1 and 2, Picnic Point, Kirbys, Long Gully, Cullitons, Taylors 1 and 2, Wentworths, Ewarts Flat, Jeep Flat, The Island, Bee Tree, North Camp, Kangaroo Gully, Crockett Bay, Harrops Flat, Parkers Flat 1, 2, and 3, Owens Hill, Raids Inlet, Jimmys Bend, and finally Dumbells.

But there isn’t any Mayfair campsite equivalent; they’re all equal. So don’t overthink, ‘What’s the best site?’. Sniff out the first one you like the look of and set up.

Where to Eat at Lake Eildon

If you fancy a little more than camp food and need to resupply, the Goughs Bay General Store makes coffee and takeaway food, and can help with ice and petrol. But the 20-40 minute drive to Mansfield opens up other options.

For a good cup of caffeine beans and café grub, try the Mansfield Coffee Merchant at 43 Highett St or the Mansfield Regional Produce Store at 68 High St. If an award-winning vanilla slice or a gourmet pie is your thing, try the Mansfield Bakery at 31 High St.

Anvil at 13 High St makes a good fist of a microbrewery, while the Mansfield Hotel at 86 High St trots out music and steaks. If you need space for four paws, takeaway food can be eaten in the middle of the High St on the tables provided. Mansfield’s main street is old school and wide enough to be divided by an awesome strip of grassy territory. It gives the town character.

The local Marks Supa IGA surprises with its range, and there are plenty of outdoor shops around Mansfield to replace bent-out-of-shape tent pegs.

Things to Do at Lake Eildon

The Lake Eildon area is ripe for venture exploits. The lake is idyllic for paddling, swimming, boating, sailing, and water skiing. Dog paddle with the pooch is a definite must-do!

Fishing-wise, monster Murray cod have long been caught in the area. But there’s also Yellowbelly, Redfin, Brown and Rainbow trout, Roach, and Carp to get a hook set.

The trails that lead into the forest set up opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, trail bike riding, and 4WDing.

There’s plenty of wildlife to check out; kangaroos, wombats, eagles, kookaburras, bowerbirds, deer, and snakes call the Delatite Arm Reserve home, and walks on leash are permitted (canine, not human).

Further afield, but not allowing dog entry, a day trip to Craigs Hut or the summit of Mt Buller is possible. You’ll just need someone to sit back at camp for some quality K-9 time.

Sorry! Only human eyes are allowed to see this view from Mt Buller

Essential Gear for Lake Eildon Dog Friendly Camping

• Kayaks and water toys
• Fishing gear
• Mountain bikes
• Bush cooking gear
• Swag for stargazing
• Light-coloured clothing to help control March flies in summer
• Cold/wet weather gear
• Lake Eildon Boating map by Rooftop
• Emergency Plus App and what3words location finder (mobile phone reception can be patchy)
• Dog poo bags and a leash

Read more: Remember to leave no trace!

What It’s Like to Visit Lake Eildon and Delatite Arm Reserve

While the area can get super busy in peak times, and the jet ski noise can get a bit much, timing an off-peak camp here can see you setting up a tent mere metres from the water. Then there are the trails that lead through forestry pine plantations behind. It’s not exactly remote wilderness, but it’s accessible camping with nature alongside.

That dogs are welcome and the $0 price tag is the icing on the getaway cake. A trip to Delatite Arm Reserve scores a healthy 8/10 on the Woof-o-meter.

A fabulous and free dog, just like the campsites

Tips for Visiting Lake Eildon and Delatite Arm Reserve

• Lake Eildon, like many inland Victorian waterways, can experience issues with Blue-green algae. Information about Lake Eildon’s water levels and any water quality warnings can be accessed by visiting Goulburn-Murray Water
• Forest Fire Management Victoria and Goulburn-Murray Water get the gig managing the Delatite Arm Reserve, as opposed to Parks Victoria. They do it well, but be advised, penalties apply if you light a fire below the high-water mark
• Be mindful that Walshs Road is gravel and you’ll likely encounter corrugations and wildlife. A slow driving pace and travelling in daylight hours are recommended

Delatite Arm Reserve’s dogs are happy hounds. Man’s bestie can live a pretty good version of themselves in Victoria’s High Country. It makes for an awesome low-cost adventure and I highly recommend getting your bark on!

Tire ’em out with the best weekend ever!

FAQs Lake Eildon & Delatite Arm Reserve