Big Hill Campground

Overview

Big Hill is a simple, nature‑first campground tucked in a grassy clearing ringed by tall forest. It’s the kind of place you come to hear birdsong, smell damp eucalypt, and stage easy adventures around Lorne—without the bustle of the coast. Bookings and payment are required year‑round through Parks Victoria, and facilities are minimal by design.

Campsites & Facilities

There are 13 unpowered sites, each for up to six people. Sites 1–7 are tent‑only; Sites 8–13 suit camper trailers and caravans. Amenities are back‑to‑basics: non‑flush toilets, shared fireplaces, and low shared tables/seats. There’s no drinking water provided and wood collection isn’t on—bring all your water and your own firewood.

Setting & Access

You’ll find the campground near the intersection of Big Hill Track and Lorne–Deans Marsh Road (Benwerrin). From camp, Big Hill Track rolls 10 km downhill toward the Great Ocean Road—great for mountain biking, 4WD touring, or a long ramble if you’re up for the return climb. It’s a low‑key base to explore the forested ridgelines and coastal valleys of the Otways.

Wildlife

Expect company from King Parrots and Crimson Rosellas around camp; a koala sometimes makes an appearance. Keep food sealed and give wildlife space—the usual forest etiquette applies.

Nearby Highlights

• Erskine Falls: a classic Otways waterfall with a lookout and a steep track to the base.
• Sheoak Falls: a short, scenic walk from coastal woodland to falls.
• Lorne: beaches, clifftop views, and a hub for multiple waterfall walks.

After dark in the wider Otways, glow‑worm viewing is possible at known spots like Melba Gully—use dim light and tread lightly.

Best Time to Visit

This is a cool, very wet corner of Victoria: expect frequent rain and damp ground in any season, and chilly nights even in summer. Summer and holiday periods book out quickly—reserve early. In wetter months some 4WD tracks can be muddy or seasonally closed, so check park alerts before you roll. Through Friday, December 12, 2025 the campground is closed on weekdays for toilet‑block repairs; on weekends it’s open with portable toilets in place.

Bottom Line

If you’re after a mellow bush camp near Lorne with easy access to forest tracks and waterfalls—and you don’t mind roughing it—Big Hill delivers. If you want amenities or a beachfront vibe, look elsewhere.