Parks Victoria has, at the direction of the Victorian Chief Health Officer, closed all designated campgrounds in all parks and reserves across the state until further notice.

The closure came into place at 11.59 pm on Wednesday 25th March 2020 and includes campgrounds and roofed accommodation.

Designated campgrounds are any sites that have infrastructure such as toilets, fire pits or barbecues. Non-essential travel should be avoided, and ‘social distancing’ practices must be adhered to.

The following are guidelines regarding these changes on Parks Victoria-managed land:
All accommodation and designated campgrounds managed by Parks Victoria are now closed. All existing bookings will be fully refunded, and no further bookings will be taken. A designated campground includes any formed area that has infrastructure such as toilets, fire pits, or barbecues.

All people currently camping in designated campgrounds are being requested to leave immediately. Rangers will be patrolling to instruct people to leave.

Any day visitors to parks and reserves are actively encouraged to disperse widely and adhere strictly to social distancing guidelines.
Compliance with this directive is enforceable under section 203 of the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008, and penalties apply.

Other areas within parks will remain open to allow for exercise, however, social distancing must be practised and those with flu-like symptoms must follow the advice from the Chief Health Officer of Victoria and remain at home.

Parks Victoria has arrangements in place to ensure business continuity, including ongoing urgent recovery efforts in bushfire-affected parks, essential maintenance and firefighting.

Parks Victoria CEO Matthew Jackson said that this action has been taken with health and safety as the first priority.

“Closing all designated campgrounds across Victoria for all overnight camping and accommodation will help protect the health and safety of visitors and staff.”

Where camp fees have already been paid, he said that refunds will be provided as soon as possible.

Parks Victoria request that anyone visiting a park check the latest conditions and closures at www.parks.vic.gov.au/COVID19 before visiting.