Discover one of Victoria’s best-kept secrets: the C4 Camping Ground at Golden Beach. Nestled along the pristine, seemingly endless Ninety Mile Beach, this free campsite offers a raw and authentic Australian coastal experience. Located within the magnificent Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park, the C4 site is one of several designated camping areas dotted along Shoreline Drive, providing unparalleled access to the surf and sand just metres from your setup.
Golden Beach itself is a tranquil coastal hamlet, a world away from the hustle and bustle. The C4 campground embodies this spirit, offering a basic, self-sufficient bush camping experience. Forget caravan park amenities; this is about disconnecting and immersing yourself in nature. The soundtrack here isn’t traffic, but the crashing waves of the Tasman Sea and the gentle rustle of the coastal scrub that provides shelter for the campsites. It’s the perfect destination for anglers chasing salmon from the surf, families looking for a digital detox, or travellers seeking a peaceful overnight stop.
Being a self-sufficient site, preparation is key. There are no bins, so you must take all rubbish with you, and critically, there is no potable water on tap, so you must bring your own for drinking, cooking, and washing. While basic non-flushing toilets are available, packing your own toilet paper is always a wise move. The campsite is pet-friendly for on-leash dogs, making it a fantastic option for the whole family. Activities are beautifully simple: test your luck with surf fishing, take long, meditative walks along the vast beach, or simply relax with a good book. For a touch of history, the nearby Trinculo shipwreck is a fascinating landmark to explore during a beach walk.
The C4 Camping Ground is not for everyone. It’s for the camper who values solitude over showers, and nature over nightlife. If you are prepared to be fully self-contained, you’ll be rewarded with a spectacular and serene beachside escape that costs absolutely nothing.
C4 Campinground Golden Beach – VIC Location Map
C4 Campingground Golden Beach
- Address: Shoreline Drive, Golden Beach VIC 3851
- GPS Coordinates: -38.22972, 147.377
Site Features
- Site suitable for: Tents, camper trailers, and small-to-medium caravans or campervans. Sites are unpowered and best suited for self-sufficient setups.
- Road access: Graded sand and dirt track (Shoreline Drive). Generally 2WD accessible in dry conditions, but can be sandy or corrugated. 4WD may be preferred after heavy rain.
- Site surface: Sand and dirt.
- Camping permitted: Yes, free camping is permitted in designated areas.
- Maximum overnight stays: 48 hours (check local signage for confirmation).
- Picnic tables: Yes, some sites have basic picnic tables.
- Potable water: No. You must bring all your own drinking and washing water.
- Mobile phone coverage: Patchy. Telstra generally has the most reliable (but not guaranteed) service.
- TV reception: No.
- Onsite public toilets: Yes, non-flushing (pit) toilets are available.
- Rubbish bins: No. You must take all rubbish with you.
- Open fires: Permitted in designated fire pits only. Subject to seasonal fire restrictions (Total Fire Bans). BYO firewood (collecting firewood from the park is not permitted).
- Generator use: Not permitted (to maintain the area’s tranquility).
- Number of sites available: Not specified; C4 is one of 19 designated camping areas along Shoreline Drive.
- Essentials to bring: Drinking water, rubbish bags, firewood, toilet paper, insect repellent, and all food supplies.
- Pet friendly: Yes, dogs are permitted on-leash (C-sites 1-10 are designated pet-friendly).
- Fishing: Yes, surf fishing is very popular along the Ninety Mile Beach.
- Short walks: Yes, kilometres of beach walking available in
both directions.
Local Amenities
Local Pubs
- Lochsport Marina Hotel: Approximately 35km away in Loch Sport.
- Star Hotel Sale: Approximately 40km away in Sale.
- Sale RSL & Community Club: Approximately 40km away in Sale.
Places to Eat
- Golden Beach General Store & Takeaway: Approximately 1.5-2km from C4. Offers takeaway food, coffee, and basic groceries.
- Various Restaurants/Cafes: A wide selection of pubs, cafes, and restaurants are available in Sale (approx. 40km).
Local Attractions
- Ninety Mile Beach: Onsite. Famous for its untouched length.
- Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park: Onsite. Explore the dunes and coastal scrub.
- Trinculo Shipwreck: Located further along the beach, accessible via a beach walk or drive to The Wreck camping area.
- Golden Beach Community Playground: Features a historic water tank from the Trinculo wreck (approx. 2km).
Nearest Caravan Parks
- Golden Beach Holiday Park: Approximately 2-3km away.
- Ninety Mile Beach Holiday Retreat: Approximately 3-4km away.
Next Free Camps
- Other “C-Sites”: Various other free camping spots (C1, C2, C3, C5, etc.) are located along Shoreline Drive.
- The Wreck Camping Area: Free camping area located closer to the Trinculo shipwreck.
Nearest Dump Points
- Sale Showgrounds: Public dump point available in Sale (approx. 40km).
- Loch Sport: Dump point facilities available in Loch Sport (approx. 35km).
Nearest Petrol Station
- Golden Beach General Store: Petrol and diesel pumps available (approx. 1.5-2km).
Drinking Water Resupply
- Sale: Public taps available for water container refills at locations like Lake Guthridge or the Botanic Gardens (approx. 40km).
Nearest Public Toilets
- Onsite: Non-flushing toilets are available at C4 (or adjacent C-sites).
- Golden Beach Community Centre: Public toilets available near the general store (approx. 1.5-2km).
Seasonal Weather Forecast
- Summer (December – February): Warm to hot days with average maximums around 25°C, but can spike over 35-40°C. Evenings are mild. High fire danger season.
- Autumn (March – May): Mild and pleasant days with average maximums cooling from 23°C to 17°C. Nights become cooler. Generally stable weather.
- Winter (June – August): Cool and often damp, with average maximums around 14-15°C. Nights are cold, dropping to 3-5°C. Expect higher rainfall.
- Spring (September – November): Mild days that become progressively warmer, with average maximums rising from 17°C to 21°C. A good time for fishing and walking.
