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Mt Franklin Reserve Campground - Free Camp near Daylesford
- Dec 16, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
Mt Franklin Reserve Campground - Free Camp
near Daylesford
Mt Franklin Reserve is a beautiful free campground set inside the crater of an extinct volcano in Victoria’s Central Highlands. Located approximately 120 kilometres from Melbourne and just 12 kilometres from Daylesford, it’s a peaceful and scenic spot to relax, bushwalk and enjoy nature. Surrounded by forest and unique volcanic landscapes, Mt Franklin Reserve is a popular destination for campers looking for a quiet bush setting close to town conveniences.
Mt Franklin Reserve Camping & Amenities
Access to the campground is via a sealed road that winds up and around the edge of the volcano crater before descending into the reserve.
The campground features a large central lawn area that is ideal for tents, with cleared sites around the perimeter that are suitable for motorhomes, caravans, camper trailers and tents. Many sites have picnic tables and fire pits. Camping at Mt Franklin Reserve is first come, first served, with no bookings available.
The rim of the crater is lined with tall conifer forest, while inside the crater you’ll find beautiful ornamental trees including Silver Birch, White Poplar, Sycamore and Californian Redwoods. The contrast between the towering trees and the open grassed camping area makes this campground feel very special.
We chose a flat site near the entrance with a fire pit and fewer trees, which gave us great solar access. There are plenty of shaded sites deeper in the campground if you prefer a cooler setup. We stayed in late October and found the campground very quiet during the week, although it became much busier over the weekend.
Parks Victoria maintains the campground, and it is free to stay.
Amenities
Facilities at Mt Franklin Reserve include:
Four long-drop toilets
A small rainwater tank
Picnic tables
Fire pits
There is also a large day-use area with a sheltered picnic space and plenty of parking.
Summit Loop Walk at Mt Franklin Reserve
From the day-use area, you can start the Summit Loop Walk, a 1.7-kilometre circuit around the rim of the volcano. This scenic walk follows the steep ridgeline and offers glimpses of the surrounding countryside before descending back through the tall conifers into the crater.
More Information
Dogs are allowed — please keep them on a leash and clean up after them.
Fires are permitted in the fire pits when there is no fire ban.
We had good Telstra phone and internet reception.
No rubbish bins are provided, so please take all rubbish with you.
The campground is very popular on weekends and holidays, so arriving early is recommended to secure a good site.
Planning a Stay Here?
Whether you’re travelling in a motorhome, caravan, camper trailer or tent, having the right gear can make your stay much more comfortable — from outdoor chairs and cooking equipment to power leads, lighting and campsite essentials. If you’re getting ready for your next adventure, it’s worth checking out the huge range of camping and outdoor gear available at Snowys Outdoors. They stock everything from beginner camping gear through to high-quality equipment for serious road travellers.
Mt Franklin Reserve is only 12 kilometres from the lovely town of Daylesford, making it easy to stock up on supplies or enjoy a meal out. Daylesford offers a great selection of cafes, restaurants, supermarkets, hotels and boutique shops to explore.
Before heading to the campground, we stopped at Blake Family Grocers, which is open daily from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm and has an excellent range of fresh local produce. We picked up fresh eggs, bacon, bread and tomato chutney to make delicious gourmet bacon and egg rolls — the perfect camping breakfast to enjoy back at our peaceful campsite.
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