Discover 25 tested Murray River camping spots from many years exploring the Murrays free camps. Pet friendly sites with detailed access info.

Having spent many years camping on Australia’s river systems I can confidently say Murray River camping offers some of the Australia’s most rewarding free camping experiences. This comprehensive guide covers 25 well respected sites including many that we have personally visited with sites spanning Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia. From basic bush camps perfect for getting away from crowds, to spots with toilets and boat ramps that suit families with young kids. Each location has been tested multiple times during different seasons, so you’ll get honest assessments about access roads after rain, mobile coverage realities and which sites actually deliver on their promises of free camping along Australia’s most famous waterway.

Map Of 25 Free Camps Along The Murray River

The Police Paddocks Near Rutherglen – VIC

Free bush camping in an attractive site along the Murray River situated within Gooramadda State Forest, located north of Rutherglen with access off Up River Road. The Police Paddocks is a naturally formed island that was used to rest police horses in the late 1800s. The island was accessed via a private bridge the remains of which can still be viewed. This is a large camp site. Easily accessed year round by two and four wheel drive vehicles. There are no facilities. Campers must be self-sufficient. Take all rubbish with you and leave no trace. Telstra reception as well as other mobile providers is available. Television reception is available.

Location
Lat -35.980250°
Lon 146.505096°

Trues Beach Near Yarrawonga – VIC

Free bush camping in the River Murray Reserve, beside the Murray River. There are no toilets or other facilities. Enjoy swimming and kayaking in the river. This is a grassy area on the banks of the river and is suitable for tents, camper trailers, motorhomes, and caravans. Shade is available. The site may be difficult to access by 2WD after heavy rain. Dogs are allowed.

Location
Lat -35.955155°
Lon 145.909689°

Doolans Bend Near Howlong – VIC

Free bush camping beside the Murray River in River Murray Reserve. There are no facilities. Campers must be self-sufficient. Take all rubbish with you and leave no trace. Use portable toilets where possible or pack out “faecal waste” (poo) for minimum impact. If you have to dig a hole, make sure it’s at least 15cm deep, 100m from water and you cover it back up when you’re done. You should still pack out toilet paper, sanitary pads, tampons and condoms because they don’t biodegrade. Enjoy swimming and kayaking on the river. Dogs are allowed but must be on a leash. Trees and limbs may fall, take care.

Location
Lat -36.023015°
Lon 146.654183°

Murray River Free Camping Happy Valley Landing Robinvale VIC

Big Naughtons Camp 1 (Lower Ovens WR) Near Bundalong – VIC

Free bush camping area beside the Ovens River in the Lower Ovens Wildlife Reserve. There is no rubbish collection at this campground, please take all rubbish with you.

There are no toilet facilities at this site. If you do not have your own toilet, bury human waste at least 100m from tracks, camping areas and water bodies. Bury toilet paper or bag and dispose of in a bin once you leave the site.

Campfires are permitted. Campfires must be contained in a pit at least 30cm deep, be no larger than 1 metre square and have a 3 metre clearance. Consider using a portable camping stove where possible. Ensure fires are never left unattended and are completely out before you leave. During summer and autumn Total Fire Bans are common – this means no open fires can be lit. For information on Total Fire Bans call the Victorian Bushfire Information Line on 1800 240 667.

Location
Lat -36.048345°
Lon 146.197474°

Yarrawonga River Camp Near Yarrawonga – VIC

Bush camping along the Murray River in the Yarrawonga Regional Park. The river bends and sandy beaches provide an ideal setting for campers and day visitors alike. There are many sites along the river with pit toilets located approximately 300 metres west. Fantastic stretch of river overlooking the golf course on the other bank. Dispose of litter at the Moira Shire Transfer Station, Channel Road Yarrawonga. Use the toilet provided or use your own. Pets on leads are permitted.

Avoid resting, picnics or camping under or close to trees. They may drop heavy branches at any time without warning.

Fuel stoves are preferred for cooking. Bring your own firewood. Fires must be attended at all times and extinguished with water when not required. During summer and autumn Total Fire Bans are common this means no open fires can be lit. For information on Total Fire Bans call the Victorian Bushfire Information Line on 1800 240 667.

Location
Lat -36.012088°
Lon 145.980935°

Free Camping Murray River Merbein Common

Forges Beach No. 1 Near Yarrawonga – VIC

Bush camping located in Yarrawonga Regional Park, on the banks of the Murray River. Long drop toilets are available. Take all rubbish with you and leave no trace. According to Parks Victoria, Dogs are allowed. If you scroll down further VIC website it states dog allowed but on lead. Be aware that thieves have been reported as being active, so lock up or be prepared to have your things stolen. Avoid resting, picnics or camping under or close to trees. They may drop heavy branches at any time without warning.

Fuel stoves are preferred for cooking. Bring your own firewood. Fires must be attended at all times and extinguished with water when not required. During summer and autumn Total Fire Bans are common this means no open fires can be lit. For information on Total Fire Bans call the Victorian Bushfire Information Line on 1800 240 667.

Location
Lat -35.996172°
Lon 145.963423°

Finley Beach on Murray Near Tocumwal – VIC

Free bush camping along the Murray River in Tocumwal Regional Park. Toilet facilities are available. There is a sandy beach where you can enjoy swimming and kayaking in the river. Sites are suitable for tents, camper trailers, motorhomes and caravans. Take all rubbish with you and leave no trace. Dogs are not allowed

Location
Lat -35.822046°
Lon 145.559320°

Gulf Camping Ground In Barmah National Park – VIC

Free bush camping area beside the Murray River in the Barmah National Park. There are no facilities. Campers must be self-sufficient. Take all rubbish with you and leave no trace. If you do not have your own toilet, bury human waste at least 100m from tracks, camping areas and water bodies. Bury toilet paper or bag and dispose of in a bin once you leave the site. Dogs are not allowed.

Location
Lat -5.843087°
Lon 145.151882°

Merbein Common VIC Murray River Free Camping

Meat Ant Beach Murray River Near Maloga Park – VIC

Free camping on the banks of the Murray River with easy access just off Stewart’s bridge road. Multiple open area spots. No facilities, campers need to be fully self-sufficient. Take all rubbish with you and leave no trace. The western ( Echuca ) end has a gently sloping bank down to a sandy beach suitable for launching kayaks and swimming.

Location
Lat -36.079733°
Lon 144.960117°

Benarca Beach Camp Site Near Moama – VIC

Benarca precinct provides bush camps and is an ideal spot to fish right along Murray River in Murray Valley Regional Park, only 15km from Moama. Bookings are not required at this campground. Campsites are available on a first-in first-served basis. Sites are unpowered and unmarked.

Benarca campground can be muddy following rain. With the hum of cicadas and corellas and the majestic Australian river red gums, it’s hard not to feel immersed in nature at Benarca campground. This free campground in Murray Valley Regional Park offers impressive views of Murray River from your tent, campervan or caravan site, and offers plenty to keep everyone busy and having fun. Enjoy a walk along the river, mountain bike ride at the nearby Five Mile mountain bike trail, or a spot of birdwatching. For those who don’t mind getting their feet wet, there’s paddling, fishing and swimming. Its location, in Murray Valley Regional Park, means it’s dog-friendly too, so your four-legged friends are welcome to join in on the family camping trip.

The town of Moama is nearby, so its easy to pop in for an evening meal or to pick up some supplies. You’ll also find museums and galleries, and it’s the place to book a trip along the Murray on a paddle steamer.
Benarca campground is in the Benarca precinct of Murray Valley National Park. To get there: From Moama, head north along Cobb Highway. Turn left onto Perricoota Road and continue for approximately 15km; it becomes Moama-Barnham Road. Turn left onto Benarca Forest Road and follow the signs to the campground

Location
Lat -36.071431°
Lon 144.612352°

Vals Landing Near Gunbower – VIC

Bush camping beside the Murray River. There are no facilities. Campers must be self-sufficient. Take all rubbish with you and leave no trace. There are no toilet facilities at this site. If you do not have your own toilet, bury human waste at least 100m from tracks and water bodies. Bury toilet paper or bag and dispose of in a bin once you leave the site. Beware of falling trees and limbs.

Location
Lat -35.936290°
Lon 144.450349°

Cockatoo Point In Gunbower State Forest – VIC

Free bush camping area beside the Murray River in River Murray Reserve. There are no facilities at this site. Campers must be self-sufficient. Take all rubbish with you and leave no trace. There are no toilet facilities at this site. If you do not have your own toilet, bury human waste at least 100m from tracks and water bodies. Bury toilet paper or bag and dispose of in a bin once you leave the site. Use caution in wet weather. Dogs are not allowed.

Location
Lat -35.728280°
Lon 144.247439°

Murray River Free Camping

Passage Camp Near Boundary Bend – VIC

This is a free campground. It is dog friendly. It is accessible to motorbikes, camper trailers, off road caravans and four wheel drives. Camping in tents is allowed. You must be fully self-contained.

Location
Lat -34.717065°
Lon 143.197826°

Tocumwal Town Beach Near Tocumwal – VIC

The dump point and amenities block are now open and fully functioning. Arborists have been through and removed many fallen trees and dangerous limbs following the floods. This relaxed camping area on the Murray River has unpowered sites, toilets, cold showers, town potable water and is a beautiful short river walk to Tocumwal shops. Caters for campers, caravaners, mobile homes and is equipped with free dump point. GREY WATER MUST BE CONTAINED. Dogs are permitted but must be kept on a lead. Tocumwal Foreshore Committee, in conjunction with Berrigan Shire, do a great job of providing this wonderful camping area.

Location
Lat -35.817838°
Lon 145.560236°

Nyah-Vinifera Park Near Tooleybuc – VIC

Dispersed bush camping along the Murray River. Good river access and great fishing spot. Call into Burton’s Store for general supplies and permission slip to camp (no cost). Toilets, dump point and drinking water available at footy oval 500m away. There are no facilities. Campers will need to be self-sufficient. Take all rubbish with you and leave no trace. Dogs are not allowed.

Location
Lat -35.165859°
Lon 143.384526°

Ecc Yarrawonga Near Yarrawonga – VIC

Bush camping along the Murray River in the Yarrawonga Regional Park. The river bends and sandy beaches provide an ideal setting for campers and day visitors alike. There are no facilities. Campers must be self sufficient and leave no trace. Dispose of litter at the Moira Shire Transfer Station, Channel Road Yarrawonga. There are no toilets at this location. If you do not have your own toilet you can camp further east at Yarrawonga Green Bank. Pets on leads are permitted. Avoid resting, picnics or camping under or close to trees. They may drop heavy branches at any time without warning.

Fuel stoves are preferred for cooking. Bring your own firewood. Fires must be attended at all times and extinguished with water when not required. During summer and autumn Total Fire Bans are common this means no open fires can be lit. For information on Total Fire Bans call the Victorian Bushfire Information Line on 1800 240 667.

Location
Lat -36.005563°
Lon 145.969649°

Merbein Common Near Merbein – VIC

This free campground offers swimming. It is dog friendly. It is accessible (when not raining) to motorbikes, RVs, camper trailers, caravans and big rigs. Camping in tents is allowed. Ground is clay so when wet extremely slippery and boggy (If raining 4 x 4 recommended).

Location
Lat -34.159437°
Lon 142.078067°

Happy Valley Landing Near Robinvale – VIC

Happy Valley Landing is a free campground that offers swimming. Dogs are not permitted. It is accessible to RVs, camper trailers, caravans and big rigs. Camping in tents is allowed.

Location
Lat -34.675487°
Lon 142.695464°

Murray River National Park – Katarapko Site 32 – Near Loxton North – SA

All of the sites in Murray River National Park SA have a small fee. There are three main sections in Katarapko. Katarapko Creek, Lock 4 and Eckerts Creek. The Lock 4 and Eckert’s Creek sections have campgrounds suited to larger groups. These campgrounds can accommodate smaller caravans and camper trailers and are usually 2WD accessible. Alternatively individuals can book an unallocated site in these campgrounds, but please be aware you may be also camping with other visitors.

For a more secluded camping experience, there are also a number of individual sites dotted along the river, Eckert Creek and Katarapko Creek in each section. The sites are different shapes and sizes. They have differing water access and views. They are well signposted and easy to find, but the camping area is generally not visible from the road, so you will have to drive or walk in to see if the site is suits you. Alternatively, visit ‘Book before you go’ where you will find a photo and description of each campsite.

Site 32 is unpowered and suitable for tents and camper trailers. Site dimensions: 20m x 40m. Distance from amenities: 2,991 m. No. of vehicles: 2. This site has 40% shade. Slightly sloping site. Water access for canoe launch. 4WD access only. Pets are not permitted in this section of the park.

Location
Lat -34.426142°
Lon 140.528991°

Caurnamont Boat Ramp Near Purnong – SA

Caurnamont Boat Ramp. Free camp ground with plenty of room, directly in front of the River Murray. Free electric BBQ, seating and shelters. Public toilets and an adult fitness gym. Just up the road a short walking distance is the Love Shack where you can purchase free range, produce and firewood.

Location
Lat -34.841582°
Lon 139.586506°

Murray River Free Camping Berri SA

Wongulla Camp Ground Near Mobrae Park – SA

Free camping beside the Murray River. There are rubbish bins but no other facilities. Leave no trace. Campers must be self-sufficient. Large area suitable for all sized vehicles. No motorcycle riding.

Toilets available at the boat ramp approx 1.5km away, do not bury waste or leave toilet paper on site. Fires permitted (except during fire bans). Suitable for boating and kayaking. No access in wet weather, ground turns to deep boggy mud. SPEED. LMIT 10kph All camping MUST BE SELF CONTAINED ( No toileting in the bush )

Location
Lat -34.700918°
Lon 139.575717°

Big Bend Near Tobra – SA

This free campground offers swimming. It is dog friendly. It is accessible to RVs, camper trailers, caravans and big rigs. Camping in tents is allowed.

Location
Lat -34.636382°
Lon 139.613937°

Farley Bend Site 6 Near Moama – NSW

Free bush camping area beside the Murray River in the River Murray Reserve. There are no facilities. Campers must be self-sufficient. Take all rubbish with you and leave no trace. There are no toilet facilities at this site. If you do not have your own toilet, bury human waste at least 100m from tracks, camping areas and water bodies. Bury toilet paper or bag and dispose of in a bin once you leave the site.

Location
Lat -36.033722°
Lon 144.615196°

Kyffins Reserve Near Mulwala – NSW

This is a free campground. It is dog friendly. It is accessible to motorbikes, RVs, camper trailers, caravans and big rigs. Camping in tents is allowed. 14 day limit.

Location
Lat -35.979576°
Lon 146.059329°

Murray River Free Camping Happy Valley Landing Robinvale VIC

Paddy’s Beach Near Boomanoomana – NSW

This free campground offers swimming. It is accessible to camper trailers and caravans. You must be fully self-contained.

Location
Lat -35.950966°
Lon 145.913621°

25 Free Camps On The Murray River

Quick Comparison Table

Summary – Free Camps Along The Murray River

We’ve camped at many of these spots over the years and honestly the Murray delivers every time. Sometimes you’ll have the river to yourself particularly during the cooler months. The variety of different campsites is what makes it so awesome. Some places you’re camped up on a sandy beach perfect for chucking the line in, next time you’re tucked away in the bush. Just remember that the clay soil can become a nightmare when it’s wet so check the weather before you commit to driving in anywhere.

The thing that keeps these places working is that most people who use them actually give a damn. Sure, you get the occasional idiot who leaves their rubbish behind but generally the camping community polices itself pretty well. Pack everything in, pack everything out – it’s not rocket science. We’ve found some absolute ripper spots along the river that aren’t on this list – discovered by following dusty tracks that looked promising. Sometimes the best camps are the ones you stumble across yourself.