Lake Eildon National Park camping updates

Project status

Stage 1 works are complete, with water tanks installed at Lakeside, Candlebark and Devil Cove campgrounds and Herb Fitzroy Day Visitor Area.
Planning for stage 2 works is nearly complete. We have finalised the detailed designs are about to go to tender to appoint a contractor.

Last updated: May 2025

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The project

This project is being delivered on Taungurung Country.

Camping by Lake Eildon offers a whole world of watersports in a spectacular setting. Visitors can go swimming, canoeing, waterskiing, sailing and fishing in the shadow of the Victorian Alps, or enjoy bushwalking and cycling along a network of trails.

Water supply issues caused by ageing infrastructure have limited the capacity of the Fraser Block camping area in Lake Eildon National Park.

A project is underway to update visitor facilities and address the ageing infrastructure impacting water and wastewater management in the area. The works will be delivered in stages:

Stage 1: Water tank installation (completed November 2024)
Water tanks have been installed to temporarily reinstate a reliable source of running water to the Fraser Block campgrounds. At Lakeside, flushing toilets and hand basins are available. At Candlebark and Devil Cove, flushing toilets, hand basins and showers are available. Drinking water and tap water are not available.

These works will enable all campsites at Lakeside, Candlebark and Devil Cove campgrounds and the Herb Fitzroy Day Visitor Area to remain open to visitors while the stage 2 updates are planned and completed.

Stage 2: Long-term solution and updated visitor facilities
Parks Victoria is installing new accessible toilet blocks at Lakeside, Candlebark and Devil Cove Campgrounds to enable more Victorians to go camping in the great outdoors.

Each new toilet block features a state-of-the-art dry-vault system, removing the current reliance on running water, which must be carted-in to the park. This provides an environmentally sustainable and cost-effective way to manage amenities in the park. Non-drinking water is provided by a gravity fed rainwater tank.

This long-term solution addresses the issues caused by ageing water and wastewater infrastructure and meets today’s environmental standards.

These updates will bring the facilities at the Fraser Block at Lake Eildon in line with most of Parks Victoria’s campgrounds and ensure that visitors can continue to enjoy camping at Lake Eildon National Park for many years to come.

A man brings a kettle to the picnic table where his partner is sitting, while an older couple sit around a campfire in the background.

Pictured above: Visitors having a picnic at Lakeside Campground.

Project benefits

Visitors

The updates will make it possible for the campgrounds to stay open for visitors, so that more people can enjoy camping and outdoor recreation at Lake Eildon National Park.

Environment

Updating the waste management systems will bring the Fraser Block sites in line with current environmental requirements.

Project funding

This project has been funded by $4.3 million from the Victorian Government’s Victoria’s Great Outdoors program.

Victoria’s Great Outdoors is a $106.6 million investment by the Victorian Government into better campgrounds, walking trails, 4WD tracks and visitor facilities across Victoria’s parks and state forests.

Environment and cultural heritage management

Environmental and cultural heritage assessments will be undertaken for this project, to ensure that cultural heritage and plants and wildlife will be protected during works.

Who are we working with?

Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action
Taungurung Land and Waters Council

Access changes

Check the Lake Eildon National Park page to stay up to date with temporary closures and changes in conditions.

Putting safety first

Visitor safety is our number one priority when considering risk in parks. While nature will always be unpredictable, our projects and maintenance works help minimise risks and help people explore the great outdoors safely.

Parks Victoria is responsible for continuously managing and maintaining over 50,000 pieces of infrastructure across the state annually. We’re also delivering new projects to help visitors get into nature. These are thoroughly planned and prepared to keep people and projects separate – and safe.

When visiting a park where projects are happening, especially during construction, it’s important that people follow the direction of signs, stay out of fenced and restricted areas, and listen to Parks Victoria staff and work crews.

Staying updated

Subscribe to receive updates on this and other projects and news in parks. You can also email us with enquiries at engage@parks.vic.gov.au. As the project progresses, information on this page will be updated regularly.

Related information

FAQs

What works are taking place at Lakeside Campground?

Demolition and removal of the existing unsustainable amenities block.
Construction of a new 6 cubicle amenities block including 10,000 litre sealed vault tank and decommissioning and relocation of existing water tanks.
Upgrade of internal campground roads.
Provision of new campground layout including new fencing and signage for easier access.

What works are taking place at Candlebark Campground?

Demolition and removal of the existing unsustainable amenities block and shelter
Construction of a new 6 cubicle amenities block including 10,000 litre sealed vault tank and decommissioning and relocation of existing water tanks.
Construction of a new outdoor education shelter.

What works are taking place at Devil Cove Campground?

Demolition and removal of the existing unsustainable amenities block.
Construction of a new 6 cubicle amenities block including:10,000 litre sealed vault tank and decommissioning and relocation of the existing water tanks.

What works are taking place at Herb Fitzroy Day Visitor Are?

Demolition and removal of the existing unsustainable amenities block including decommissioning of water tanks.
Construction of a new 2-cubicle amenities block with new an accessible toilet to be located next to the boat ramp car park, approximately 250m from the existing site. This will include a 5,000 litre sealed vault tank, and installation of relocated water tank from existing toilet block.

What does this mean for services at the campgrounds?
Without running water at each campground, the newly toilets will not be flushable. The new toilet blocks will not include showers.

Why are these updates required?
Much of the water supply infrastructure at the Fraser Block campgrounds was built in the 1960s. It has reached the end of its serviceable life and needs to be updated. Changing the water and wastewater management infrastructure in the park will ensure these systems meet today’s environmental standards, so that visitors can continue to enjoy camping at Lake Eildon National Park for years to come.

Will drinking water available on site?
As with most of the campgrounds managed by Parks Victoria, campers will need to bring their water with them.

Water is available in nearby townships. Non-drinking water may be available from gravity fed rainwater tanks when full but must be treated prior to drinking.

Why is there no longer drinking water available on site?
Existing drinking water and wastewater infrastructure have reached the end of their serviceable life.

As a temporary solution, water had been carted into the national park to flush toilets and showers. This was expensive and a not a long-term solution. Carted water is not suitable for drinking.

As with most of the campgrounds managed by Parks Victoria, campers need to bring their water with them.

Non-drinking water is available by a gravity fed rainwater tank and must be treated prior to drinking.

This long-term solution means that visitors can continue to enjoy camping at Lake Eildon National Park for years to come.

What water supply solutions were investigated?
Independent consultants thoroughly evaluated all possible options. UV disinfection or chemical treatment were not viable, and connecting water and sewerage to mains in Alexandra was not feasible.

Continuing to cart water into the national park is cost prohibitive in the medium to long term.

Installing dry-vault toilets is the most environmentally sustainable and efficient solution available to safeguard the future of camping in the Fraser Block campgrounds.

Will the new toilets be flushing?
The new toilets will feature a dry sealed-vault system rather than flushing toilets. The dry sealed-vault system uses tanks to hold the waste. They are emptied by trucks and treated by the water authority.

Will showers still be available on site?
Without running water at each campground, showers will not be available.

Will the campsite fee remain the same?
Parks Victoria’s campground booking fees (prior to the announcement of free camping for the period between 1 December and 30 June) depend on the facilities provided in campground.

We have reduced the campground booking fees in line with other similar campgrounds managed by Parks Victoria to reflect the changes to facilities.

When will construction take place?
Construction will take place during the second half of 2025. It is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

There may be some temporary and staggered closures to campgrounds during this period, however the local rangers and project managers are working to ensure that disruptions are minimised, and some campsites will be available throughout.

What camping options will be available during the construction period?
We’re working to keep as much camping open to the public during the construction period however there may be some temporary closures to campgrounds in the Fraser Block.

However, Jerusalem Creek Campground in Lake Eildon National Park is open and available throughout the construction period. Other nearby options are Neds Gully and Cooks Mill Camping Areas in the Cathedral Range State Park.