Forest South Campground

People swimming in a lake. A small wooden jetty in the foreground.

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Forest South Campground

Enjoy riverside camping at Forest South Campground. Launch a canoe or kayak, take a short walk or relax at camp.

Camp at Forest South and experience the best of the Glenelg River. Watch the sunrise turn the limestone cliffs red, and enjoy flat water canoeing or kayaking as you explore the river.

The campground offers four unpowered campsites. Sites 1-3 are suitable for camper trailers, campervans and tents, while site 4 caters to tents only. Each campsite accommodates up to six people. Campground facilities include non-flush toilets, fireplaces, picnic tables and non-potable water.

The campground is accessible by 2WD and advanced bookings are required year-round.


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Things to do in the area

 
Canoeing

Canoeing and Kayaking

Canoeing and kayaking are great ways to explore beautiful waterways. Enjoy the tranquility and spot wildlife that hikers don’t normally see.
A group of four hikers walk along the beach at Discovery Bay as part of the Great South West Walk

Great South West Walk

Walk the diverse landscapes of Lower Glenelg National Park, Discovery Bay Coastal Park, Cobboboonee National Park and Cape Nelson State Park. Starting from Portland, the walk travels through majestic tall forests, meanders alongside the World Heritage Glenelg River, remote ocean beaches, past ancient lakes and culminates along rugged ocean clifftops.
A woman playfully splashing a friend in another canoe with her paddle on the Glenelg River

Glenelg River Canoe Trail

The Glenelg River offers excellent opportunities for flat water canoeing over the 75kms from Dartmoor to its mouth near Nelson. For much of its distance the river flows through the Lower Glenelg National Park, enabling enthusiasts to observe wildlife in its natural environment.
Father and son bird watching on boardwalk

Bird watching

From bushland to wetlands and everything in between, parks provide habitat to an abundance of common and rare bird species. Go for a wander and see how many you can spot.

How to get there

Forest South Campground

Lower Glenelg National Park is in south-west Victoria adjoining the South Australian border, about 420km from Melbourne and 490km from Adelaide.

Forrest South Campground is south of the river. Glenelg drive, when coming from the Nelson, and Forrest road, when traveling from the east, provide access to the campground. Both roads are two accessible.
Forest South Campground

When you're there

Download the Forest South Campground map for site locations.

Download the Lower Glenelg National Park Visitor Guide for more information and things to do.

Canoeists undertaking the Glenelg River Canoe Trail, paddling consecutive sections of the trail with overnight stops, should camp at the Glenelg River Canoe Trail campsites.

Need to know

Forest South Campground

Accessibility

Visiting a park can be more of a challenge for people with disabilities, however in Victoria there are a wide range of facilities to help people of all abilities enjoy our wonderful parks around the state.

Be prepared and stay safe

Lower Glenelg National Park is in the South West fire district. Bushfires can occur during the warmer months. It is your responsibility to check current and forecast weather conditions. Campfires cannot be lit on days of Total Fire Ban, however gas cookers can be used for preparing food.

Check the Fire Danger Rating and for days of Total Fire Ban at emergency.vic.gov.au, on the Vic Emergency App or call the Vic Emergency Hotline 1800 226 226.

Change of Conditions

Nature being nature, sometimes conditions can change at short notice. It’s a good idea to check this page ahead of your visit for any updates.

  • Notices Affecting Multiple Sites

    Planned Burning Lower Glenelg National Park

    Parks Victoria and Forest Fire Management Victoria will be conducting Planned Burning in the Lower Glenelg National Park.
    A Planned Burn is scheduled to take place adjacent to Sapling Creek Boat Ramp along Glenelg Drive.
    The timing of the burn will be dependent on weather conditions, however it is expected to be undertaken between the 19th March and 30th March 2026.
    While burning operations are being conducted there will be certain road and track closures in place.
    Glenelg Drive will be closed from the start of Glenelg Drive (Western end) through to the Bulley Range Track.
    River Rd will also be closed from the North Nelson Rd Carpark through to Glenelg Drive.
    These track closures are marked as a red line on the attached map.
    The burn area is identified also as the highlighted blue area.
    The Great South West Walk will remain open between Battersbys Camp and Pattersons Walkers Camp.
    All campsites will remain open.
    Smoke may be visible in the area.
    Crews will be patrolling the area.
    Sapling Creek Boat Ramp will be closed. Other boat ramps are available within Nelson Township as well as Pritchards, Saunders, Sandy Waterholes and Wilson Hall.
    It is intended to complete this burn before Easter and School Holidays.
    Stay up to date with Planned Burning by visiting https://plannedburns.ffm.vic.gov.au/

    Attachments: Glenelg Dve Burn Area and Road Closures March 2026 (281KB)

    Planned Burning in Lower Glenelg National Park

    Parks Victoria and Forest Fire Management Victoria will be conducting Planned Burning in Lower Glenelg.
    A Planned Burn will be undertaken adjacent to Sapling Creek Boat Ramp and the surrounding area.
    It is anticipated that this burn will be conducted between the 19th March and 31st March 2026.
    The timing will be dependent on weather conditions.
    When the burn is commenced, there will be several road closures in place.
    Glenelg Drive will be closed from the start of Glenelg Drive (Western end) to the Bulley Range Track.
    River Rd will be closed from the Nth Nelson Road Carpark and Glenelg Drive.
    These are marked on the attached map in red.
    The burn area is marked in blue.
    The Great South West Walk will be still accessible between Battersbys and Pattersons Walkers Camp.
    Sapling Creek Boat Ramp will be closed.
    Alternative boat ramps are available within Nelson Township, Pritchards, Saunders, Sandy Waterholes and Wilson Hall.
    Smoke will be visible and present in the area.
    Stay up to date with Planned Burning across Victoria by checking the following website.
    https://plannedburns.ffm.vic.gov.au/
     

    Attachments: Glenelg Dve Burn Area and Road Closures March 2026 (281KB)

    Glenelg River estuary blocked causing some water based assets (Jetties and Landings) to become submerged

    Currently the river mouth and estuary of the Glenelg River is closed by a sand bank due to natural processes.
    This is causing the water level of the Glenelg River to rise and in doing so is beginning to inundate some of the Jetties, Landings and Boat Ramps that are attached to campsites and visitor nodes to become submerged.
     
    This is affecting sites located in the Lower Glenelg National Park and some assets around the river mouth/estuary area of Discovery Bay Coastal Park.
     
    Park users need to be aware that some water-based assets may be underwater, or may become underwater with passing boat wash, and that extra care needs to be taken whilst using them as they may become slippery.
     
    Campsites are not currently affected, only the waterway assets such as the jetties, landings, and boat ramps.

A 4WD with surf boards on the roof at Forest North Campground at Lower Glenelg National Park

Forest North Campground

Enjoy riverside camping at Forest North Campground. Launch a canoe or kayak, take a short walk or relax at camp.
A man fishes of the jetty at Mclennans Punt Campground at Lower Glenelg National Park

McLennans Punt Campground

Pitch a tent at this peaceful campground on the northern banks of the Glenelg River. Go canoeing or kayaking, or cast a line and see if you can catch bream or mulloway for dinner.
A camper trailer at Wilson Hall Campground at Lower Glenelg National Park

Wilson Hall Campground

Wilson Hall Campground is nestled among stringybark and banksia forest overlooking the river. Set up camp on the flat plain and make use of the convenient boat ramp.
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