Riverside Camping, Track Upgrades to Bless Victoria

Camping is receiving a welcome leg-up in the state of Victoria, with the minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, Lily D’Ambrosio, making several announcements to this effect throughout November and early December.

The state Labor government have pledged $10.5 million towards upgrading iconic 4WD tracks and facilities within the state. Tracks specifically billeted for improvements include Wonnangatta, the Otways, Snowy River, Davies Plain, Grampians, Mallee and River Red Gum Drive.

Furthermore, under the plan, $945,000 will go towards improving six campsites in Alpine National Park, Howqua Hills and Mansfield State Forest. The government say these improvements include better signage, toilets and the addition of fire rings and picnic tables.

As D’Ambrosio put it, “A camping road trip is a wonderful and affordable way to get out into nature and there’s no better place to do it than in Victoria’s stunning alpine region.”

The other significant announcement, made early in November, is the new bill introduced to parliament which sets out to establish a new marine and coastal park on the Bass Coast.

The prospective park will be known as the Yallock-Bulluk Marine and Coastal Park and will protect parks and reserves along the 40km coastline between San Remo and Inverloch.

Furthermore this bill aims to grant greater protection to the Yellingbo Landscape Conservation Area and to areas of Kuark Forest, which will be incorporated into Errinundra National Park.

The bill also intends to enable camping along certain river frontages throughout the state which are currently off-limits.