Rubicon Camping Areas - Department of Environment, Land, Water

February 2015
Rubicon Camping Areas
FS0067
DELWP– Alexandra
Rubicon Camping Areas
The Rubicon Valley Historic Area, in the Rubicon State
Forest is about 2 hours drive north east of Melbourne. It
provides excellent opportunities for camping, bushwalking,
picnicking, fishing and mountain biking.
Location and access
From the Maroondah Highway, turn right onto the TaggertyThornton Rd and right again onto Rubicon Rd. Kendalls
Camp is approximately 5.5 km along Rubicon Rd. The
camping areas are accessible by 2WD. Kendalls and Tin
Hut are closed from the Thursday after the Queen’s
Birthday holiday through to the Thursday before Melbourne
Cup. The Boys is open all year.
History
The Rubicon area is Taungurung land. The Taungurung
people continue to have a strong connection with the area
through Camp Jungai.
The surrounding forest is an important catchment area for
the hydro-electric power stations situated at various
locations along the Rubicon Valley. Completed in 1929, the
Rubicon Scheme consists of four power stations and
associated dams, aqueducts and pipelines. During the
1930’s, the scheme contributed about one-fifth of Victoria’s
electricity needs. While still in operation today, its
contribution to meeting the State’s energy needs is now
small, however it’s relative importance is still high due to its
contribution to green power.
The Rubicon State Forest has a long history of timber
production. Prior to the 1939 fires, there were many
sawmills and settlements utlilising the productive forests.
The Royal Commission following the 1939 fires
recommended removing all sawmills and settlements from
the forest.
The area continues to be an important area for hardwood
timber production. The current industry prizes the timber
produced from Mountain Ash, Alpine Ash and Shining Gum
which dominate forests higher on the ranges.
There are three camping areas located on the valley floor
along the Rubicon River – Kendalls, The Boys and Tin Hut.
The Boys was the location of the single men’s camp after
WW1, while Tin Hut was the location of Tin Hut township
that serviced the hdyro-electric scheme and timber workers
th
in the first half of the 20 century.
What facilities are provided?
Pit toilets are provided at Kendalls and The Boys.
ISSN 1440-2262
Kendalls has open areas suitable for small caravans. A
short picturesque walking track connects Kendalls and
The Boys campgrounds. A longer circuit walk also
begins from The Boys Camp.
Things to see and do
Rubicon Valley Historic Area and the surrounding forest
provides excellent opportunities for fishing, camping,
mountain bike riding, bushwalking, horse riding and
canoeing.
Kendalls Link Trail
Kendalls Link Trail is a short 1.1 km walk that
connects Kendalls Camp to the Boys Camp.
This flat, well formed track is a great short stroll through
the riparian bush.
Cicada Circuit Trail
Starting at The Boys Camp, this 6.1 km return
loop takes in both sides of the Rubicon River.
The trail meanders along the river for a large part of the
walk which is perfect for taking in the sounds of the
river, the birds and the rustling trees. Cross the bridge
over the pipeline and follow the road towards Camp
Jungai and back onto the trail. The remainder of the trail
passes through the bush above the campgrounds
before ending back at The Boys Camp.
Additional attractions in the area are detailed in a
separate Forests Note (Rubicon State Forest FS0055)
and include:
•
Snobs Creek Falls
These falls drop more than 100 metres over a
series of rocky outcrops and offer spectacular
views. There is a short walk from the carpark to
viewing platforms.
•
Morris Lookout
Morris Lookout is a short drive (4WD only) from the
camping areas and provides stunning views of the
surrounding area, including the townships of
Thornton and Eildon. Access to the lookout is via
Herbs Rd. This road is closed during the winter
months (see Seasonal Road Closures below for
more information).
•
Mt Torbreck summit
Mt Torbreck, rising to an altitude of 1516 m, is a 2
km walk (one-way) from the Barnewall Plains
visitor area on Barnewall Plains Rd. The walk takes
approximately 2 hours return, and is steep and
© State of Victoria, Department of Environment, Land, Water & Planning
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Rubicon Camping Areas
rocky in sections. On a clear day, views from around
the summit are breathtaking and well worth the long
climb.
Lake Eildon National Park
Situated on the shores of Lake Eildon, the Park
protects 27,750 ha of rugged hills with open
woodlands through to dense forest. It is very scenic, and
offers the opportunity to experience an array of wildlife,
natural and historic features and a wide range of
recreational activities.
Campfire Guidelines
• Campfire safety – All solid fuel fires must be in a
properly constructed fireplace or in a trench at least 30
cm deep, with the ground and airspace within 3m of the
outer perimeter of the fire clear of flammable material.
All liquid, gas or chemical solid fuel fires must keep the
ground and airspace within 1.5m of the outer perimeter
of the fire clear of flammable material. Fires must be
attended at all times by a person with the capacity and
means to extinguish it. Ensure the fire is extinguished
with water before leaving. If it’s cool to touch it is safe
to leave.
• Campfires are prohibited on days of Total Fire Ban.
This ban does not apply to a person preparing meals on
a gas or electric appliance that has been designed and
commercially manufactured exclusively for cooking
provided:
- the ground and airspace within 3m of the appliance
is clear of flammable material
- when in use and alight, the appliance at all times is
in a stable position and attended by an adult who has
the capacity and means (minimum of 10 litres of
water on hand) to extinguish the fire.
FS0067
•
Leave campsites tidy.
RUBBISH
There are no rubbish collection facilities available.
Please take your rubbish with you and ensure the area
is clean for future visitors. Do not bury or burn rubbish in
fires. This includes bottles and cans. It is an offence to
burn rubbish and those doing so will be fined.
TRAIL BIKES and VEHICLES
Trail bikes and vehicles must be registered. Unlicensed
persons are not permitted to ride trail bikes or drive
vehicles. Trail bikes and vehicles must not be ridden off
formed roads, on walking tracks or around the
campground. The surrounding road network is available
to licenced and registered riders.
FIREARMS
Normal firearm laws apply in State Forests.
• A licence is required
• It is prohibited to shoot on, from or across roads
• Use of firearms in camping areas is prohibited.
All native birds and animals are protected by law.
Rubicon Valley Historic Area is a popular recreation
area. Take special care with firearms.
Safety – Please read
It is your responsibility to know if a Total Fire Ban is
declared. If in doubt, do not light a campfire.
• On Code Red Fire Danger Rating days, Parks and
State forest are closed to the public. Do not enter
parks or forests on Code Red Days. If you are
already there when a Code Red day is announced,
you should leave the night before or early in the
morning. For more information contact DELWP (see
below).
• When on forest roads, be prepared for the
unexpected. Timber trucks, 4WD’s, hikers, horse
riders, trail bike riders, cyclists and native animals
may also be using your chosen track.
Forest Use Guidelines
Seasonal Road Closures
CAMPING – Minimal impact
Some roads within the forest are seasonally closed
each year from the Thursday after the Queen’s Birthday
holiday through to the Thursday before Melbourne Cup.
This is to protect track surfaces and the environment,
and for public safety. Road closures may be extended
beyond these dates, depending on weather conditions.
These closures are enforced by a gate or sign.
Contact DELWP for more information on road closures.
To protect the delicate environments of the forest, we need
to ‘tread lightly’ in the bush to minimise our impact on the
natural environment.
• Camping is not permitted outside of designated areas
or within 20 metres of any river, stream or lake.
• Be careful of camping under trees. Trees can drop
their limbs at any time (particularly during high winds).
• Do not dig trenches around tents. With modern tents,
this is unnecessary, particularly if you choose a welldrained or raised site.
• Use toilets where provided. At some sites hand
washing facilities and toilet paper may not be supplied.
Come prepared.
• All native plants and animals are protected.
• Dogs are allowed in State Forest but must be under
direct control at all times and are expected to be on a
leash in picnic and camping areas or when near other
visitors.
• Protect water quality – wash up at least 50 metres
away from the river and avoid using soap (use gritty
sand and a scourer instead).
For more information
The Department of Environment, Land, Water &
Planning (DELWP) is responsible for managing
Victoria's State Forest. For further information contact
DELWP's Customer Service Centre  136 186 (TTY:
1800 555 667) or visit DELWP’s website at
http://www.delwp.vic.gov.au
This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of
Victoria and its officers do not guarantee that the publication is
without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your
particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any
error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you
relying on any information in this publication.
© State of Victoria, Department of Environment, Land, Water & Planning
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Rubicon Camping Areas
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This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind
or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on
any information in this publication.
© State of Victoria, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning
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Kendalls
Camping Area