Tucked away on a bend of the Snowy River about half an hour west of Orbost, Woods Point Campground quickly became one of those places that makes you wonder why you’d never visited before. With a long sandy beach, towering gums and plenty of space to spread out, it’s easy to see why so many campers make the trip.
Getting There
Woods Point Campground sits on the mighty Snowy River, about half an hour west of Orbost in East Gippsland.
The drive in is a little deceiving when you first look at it on Google Maps. The final few kilometres are narrow, steep and winding in places, although the road itself is well maintained. If you’re towing a larger caravan, passing oncoming traffic could get interesting, but smaller off-road and 4×4 caravans shouldn’t have too many issues.
We followed the route Google Maps suggested along the Snowy River before climbing away from the water. Other campers mentioned taking the alternate route, but from the conversations we had there didn’t seem to be a great deal of difference between the two.
The Beach & River
The campground sits on the inside of a sweeping bend in the Snowy River and features a beautiful sandy beach stretching for close to a kilometre.
There is plenty of room for everyone, even during busy periods, and it quickly became obvious why so many people bring kayaks, paddleboards and inflatable toys. The river current is fairly gentle, making it a great spot to spend the day in and around the water.
If you’re considering driving onto the beach, make sure you know what you’re doing. During our stay there were a few moments that provided plenty of entertainment for the rest of the campground.
Campsites & Shade
There are plenty of campsites available throughout the campground. I’d estimate there are more than 20 sites, with most featuring a fire pit and picnic table.
One of the standout features of Woods Point is the tree cover. The campground is shaded by large established trees which provide welcome relief during warmer weather and create a fantastic bush camping atmosphere.
The only downside to all that shade is solar charging. Many campers seemed to struggle getting enough direct sunlight onto their solar panels. If I visited again, I’d definitely pack my solar blanket and make use of the open areas along the beach.
Wildlife & Camp Life
The local celebrity during our stay was a bloody big goanna that spent its time wandering from campsite to campsite checking out what everyone was up to.
Dogs were also popular with campers, although unfortunately not everyone cleaned up after them. We spotted dog shit around some campsites and on sections of the beach, so hopefully future visitors do the right thing and help keep the area enjoyable for everyone.
Facilities
For a free campground, the facilities are quite reasonable.
There are four long-drop toilets throughout the campground and they appeared to be well maintained and relatively clean during our visit.
There are no rubbish bins provided, so make sure you bring plenty of garbage bags and take all rubbish home with you.
Phone reception is virtually non-existent. In fact, with the amount of tree cover throughout the campground, even maintaining a reliable Starlink connection could be a challenge.
Things To Know
Woods Point Campground is located within State Forest and, from everything I could find, is a free campground.
During our stay the rangers made an appearance and appeared to fine one group for leaving a fire unattended. It’s a timely reminder to follow the campground rules and always keep an eye on your campfire.
Final Thoughts
Despite visiting over the busy Easter period, Woods Point Campground never felt overcrowded thanks to the size of the campground and the long stretch of sandy river frontage.
The combination of the Snowy River, shady campsites, family-friendly swimming areas and relaxed bush atmosphere makes it easy to understand why this place is so popular.
If you’re looking for a free riverside campground in East Gippsland and don’t mind the winding drive in, Woods Point Campground is well worth adding to your list.
Looking for a completely different camping experience? Check out our review of Brou Lake Campground on the NSW South Coast.
Pull Up A Chair Around The Campfire
Have you stayed at Woods Point Campground?
Leave a comment below and let us know what you thought of the place. We’d love to hear your tips, favourite campsites, fishing stories, photos or anything future visitors should know before making the trip.
Know another campground that deserves a mention?
Country Campfire is built on stories shared by campers, travellers and country Australians from all walks of life. If you’ve discovered a hidden gem, found an unforgettable campsite or have a story worth telling, we’d love to hear from you.
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