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Smoko Campground - Free Camp in Victoria's High Country
- Wander * Explore * Discover
- Nov 7, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: 3 hours ago
Smoko Campground - Free Camp in Victoria's
High Country
Smoko Campground is a peaceful bush camping spot set alongside the Ovens River in Victoria’s stunning High Country. Tucked away at the end of Miley Lane in Smoko, the campground is approximately 17 kilometres south of Bright and 10 kilometres north of Harrietville, just off the Great Alpine Road. Bright is around 322 kilometres from Melbourne, making this an easy and rewarding escape into nature.
Surrounded by tall trees and mountain air, Smoko Campground is a popular spot for camping, swimming, fishing, relaxing, and exploring the beautiful alpine region.
Getting There & Camp Setup
Access to Smoko Campground is straightforward, with a sealed drive along the Great Alpine Road before turning into Miley Lane. From there, it’s about a kilometre along a narrow but well-maintained gravel road to reach the campground.
The camping surface is mostly hard-packed dirt with some grassy areas, making it suitable for a wide range of camping setups. The campground is spacious and spread out, offering plenty of choice depending on whether you prefer shade, sun, or proximity to the river.
The Ovens River runs directly through the campground and is a real highlight. There’s a designated day-use area with picnic tables and easy river access, making it a lovely spot for a swim on warmer days. The river is also well known for trout fishing.
There are only a handful of riverfront campsites, but plenty of bush sites set back from the river. We chose a flat site with a fire pit roughly halfway between the river and the toilet. With fewer trees around us, we had excellent solar, while other areas of the campground offer plenty of shade if that’s what you’re after.
We stayed at Smoko Campground in early October and found it pleasantly quiet. There were a few campers over the weekend, but it never felt busy or crowded.
Smoko Campground is maintained by Parks Victoria and is free to camp, which makes it even more appealing.
Important State Forest Camping Rules
When camping at Smoko Campground, there are a few State Forest rules to keep in mind:
Always check for fire bans before lighting a fire, as restrictions are strictly enforced
Take all rubbish with you, as bins are not provided
Bring your own drinking and cooking water — there are no taps or water tanks
Set up camp at least 20 metres from waterways
Facilities & Amenities
Facilities at Smoko Campground are basic but adequate for a comfortable bush camping stay. There is one long drop toilet located toward the back of the campground. Fire pits are scattered throughout the camping area, and several picnic tables are available in the day-use section near the river.
The campground is large and well suited to motorhomes, caravans, camper trailers, and tents, with plenty of space to manoeuvre and spread out.
Good to Know Before You Go
Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a lead, and owners must clean up after them
Fires are allowed when there is no fire ban in place
Campsites are easily accessible for motorhomes
We had good Telstra mobile coverage during our stay
A long drop toilet is available — bring your own toilet paper
Picnic tables are provided
Swimming and fishing are popular activities in the river
The Great Valley Trail, which runs between Bright and Harrietville, passes through the campground — be mindful of cyclists
Stony Creek Fish Farm – A Must-Visit Nearby
Just four kilometres from Smoko Campground is the popular Stony Creek Fish Farm, a great little stop with a café and the chance to catch your own salmon or trout. The fish farm is open from Friday to Monday, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
It’s free to try your luck, with bait and fishing lines provided. You simply pay per kilogram for any fish you catch. We caught two beautiful brook trout, which were cleaned and prepared for us before we took them back to camp.
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