Dando’s campground. From the hamlet of Gellibrand in the Otway Ranges the road corkscrews downwards to the Gellibrand River and a plantation of tall trees. There is plenty of room to camp and fire pits are provided. If I recall the toilets are drops. Turn off the phone, it probably won’t work anyway, don’t set up the tele, just kick back and enjoy a steak and a good red by the fire. This is an exquisite spot for camping during the week and out of bushfire season.

Camperdown The Lakes and craters Holiday Park is a charming caravan park straddling a grassy ridge between two crater lakes. There are expansive views and a small Botanic Garden created by William Guilfoyle (A director of the Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne). A charming town clocktower, and great bakery Loaf and Larder and coffee. The tiny timber town of Timboon (sorry, couldn’t resist) is worthy of a drive and a stop for the local ice cream. Further down the Princes Highway Terang also has grand buildings and the small Terang Community Caravan Park set in charming gardens maintained by the park hosts.

Fort O’Hare, Dartmoor This is a huge campground on the Glenelg River. Major Mitchell based his party here back in 1836 whilst exploring the Glenelg River. The camp was named in honour of his Commanding Officer O’Hare who had been killed in Spain in 1812.

Deep lake, Derinallum There is a small campground beside the lake and the sunsets here are heavenly. There are flushing toilets and a shelter too.

Lake Bolac. This is a huge lake with plenty of space for freedom camping. You’ll learn about the district when the ranger drops by for a donation. There’s a funny little triangular camp kitchen and a well-built timber amenities block. We were lucky enough to be there when the neighbouring wheat field was being crop dusted.

Meredith Park, Lake Colac. A funny old spot this one, but certainly a good overnighter. We would call it peaceful, but we tend to sleep through anything including a police raid here one night. Anyway, the culprits were hauled off to hospital and the cells and we were none the wiser. Flushing toilets and fish in the lake.