Exploring Victoria’s State Forests: The Complete List for 4X4 Adventurers
When most people think about camping in Victoria, they picture the well-known national parks. But for us 4X4 drivers, campers, and bush explorers, it’s often the State Forests that give the best mix of freedom, accessibility, and rugged tracks.
Victoria has more than 3 million hectares of State Forest — and they’re scattered right across the state. These forests are managed by DEECA and are open to a wide range of activities like dispersed camping, four-wheel driving, hunting (in designated areas), horse riding, and bushwalking.
Here’s a breakdown of every named State Forest in Victoria, grouped by region.
Central Highlands & North Central
Wombat State Forest – 70,000ha of tracks, history, and now community management.
Cobaw State Forest – rocky climbs near Lancefield, popular for 4X4 trips.
Black Forest (Woodend) – small but historic.
Mount Disappointment State Forest – close to Melbourne, packed with off-road trails.
Tallarook State Forest – an easy day-trip from Melbourne with plenty of trails.
Mount Robertson State Forest – a quieter Central Highlands option.
Toolangi State Forest – rainforest pockets and the famous Kalatha Giant tree.
Rubicon State Forest – logging history, waterfalls, and great campsites.
Big River State Forest – a hotspot for campers and trail riders.
Marysville State Forest – mountain scenery on the doorstep of the township.
Walmer State Forest – smaller, near Castlemaine, great for a quiet camp.
Goldfields & Wimmera
Pyrenees State Forest – rolling ranges, wineries nearby, and solid touring tracks.
Mount Cole State Forest – tall eucalypt forest with a maze of tracks.
Mount Lonarch State Forest – tucked between Ararat and Beaufort.
Mount Difficult State Forest – close to the Grampians.
Gunbower State Forest – red gum country along the Murray, a classic camping destination.
Annya State Forest – near Heywood, popular with hunters and locals.
Mount Clay State Forest – coastal forest close to Portland.
Mallee & North-West
Big Desert State Forest – sand, scrub, and a real outback feel in Victoria’s far northwest.
Gippsland & East Gippsland
Colquhoun / Boyanga Gidi State Forest – dual-named, near Lakes Entrance.
Bruthen State Forest – a handy stopover with dispersed sites.
Yowen-burrun State Forest – another East Gippsland forest, part of the cultural landscape.
Bemm State Forest – dense bush near Bemm River.
Mount Raymond State Forest – camping and trail riding territory.
Bonang State Forest – straddling the high country tracks towards NSW.
Mount Alfred State Forest – alpine foothills, tall timber country.
Murrungower State Forest – close to Orbost.
Hartland State Forest – East Gippsland backroads.
Bullung-warl State Forest – dual-named, highlighting local heritage.
Gurrun-Gurrun-Yarn State Forest – another East Gippsland dual-name forest.
Won Wron State Forest – flat country east of Yarram, with old growth patches.
Alberton West State Forest – small, coastal-plain forest near Woodside.
Mullungdung State Forest – huge lowland forest south of Sale.
Why State Forests Matter to 4X4 Drivers
Unlike national parks, most Victorian State Forests:
Allow dispersed camping — no booking systems, just pick a spot responsibly.
Offer genuine 4X4 tracks — from easy gravel through to steep rutted climbs.
Support multiple uses — trail bikes, hunting, horse riding, and camping side-by-side.
Carry history — from old logging coupes to gold rush relics.
But with that freedom comes responsibility. Rubbish dumping, track damage, and “ghost camping” have been big issues. If we want to keep access, we’ve got to show respect for country: leave no trace, stick to open tracks, and respect fire restrictions.
Planning Your Trip
Before heading out, check:
Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) for planned burns and closures
VicEmergency app for fire warnings
DEECA’s “Explore Outdoors” website for visitor info