Kaneira Hotel Free Camp – Culgoa (FC)

The Kaneira Hotel Free Campsite is set beside the only hotel/ pub in the small country town of Culgoa in Victoria only 2½ hrs northwest of Ballarat. The campsite itself has limited shade but is very spacious and suitable for big rigs and large vehicles. Toilets, Showers, Washer, and Dryers are all available in the hotel during trading hours and public toilets are in the park opposite.

Hotel owners Marty and Leigh offer all travellers whether camping, passing through or staying in one of the hotel rooms the typical small town, country hospitality, and love to make everyone feel welcome. Camping is free and there is no time limit on your length of stay at the campsite so having a meal or two at the hotel and supporting local shops is a great way to show thanks to this small community.

The hotel offers delicious counter meals including the people’s favourite … Pizza or you can sit and chat with the friendly locals or relax with a game of pool. The local store next door is available for any additional supplies you may need including milk, bread, newspapers, groceries, and even some takeaway food.

Culgoa is central to many amazing places like the Painted Silos, Piccoli’s Spanner Sculptures, and Lake Tyrell-Sea Lake just to name a few so staying a few days is simply a must. It’s also a great place to catch up with family and friends who may not have a caravan or who aren’t avid campers as the Kaneira Hotel also have rooms available.

HOW TO GET THERE
From Ballarat travel north on the Sunraysia Highway (B220) until you come to the Calder Highway (A79). Follow until you reach Culgoa-Lalbert Road. Turn right, then take the first left into Main St. The Kaneira Hotel is on the right hand side next to the Culgoa Store.

SITE ACCESS
There is a gate to the left of the hotel that you just unlock, drive in, and park where you wish. Owners ask that you please re-lock the gate.

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FEES & BOOKINGS
No bookings required.
Camping is free with no limit on length of stay, however, they would appreciate your patronage.
Showers – $3 in hotel (Trading Hours)
Washing Machine – $3 per load (Trading Hours)
Dryer – $3 per load (Trading Hours)

RULES
Open fires are prohibited.
Quiet hours 10pm – 8am

THINGS TO DO
The Kaneira Hotel Free Camp in Culgoa is a great place to hold up for a few days as it’s central to many amazing places all less than 2 hours away. Take a drive in any direction for a great day out then on your return you can save yourself time and effort by enjoying a delicious counter meal.

Piccoli’s Spanner Sculptures
In the town of Boort, only 1 hour drive SE of Culgoa a must-see is John Piccoli (Spanner Man) and his wife Sonia’s country garden that has an impressive array of larger than life and life-size sculptures. All sculptures are made by John himself by welding together spanners both old and new. From a 7metre tall Marlin to a mallee bull, a family of deer, fighting stallions, garden seats, and much more so this is a place not to miss. Open Tues – Sun there are 2 tours daily (except Mondays ) at 10am and 2pm. Garden tours by appointment only by calling John or Sonia on 03 54554257. While in Boort you might also like to visit and take a farm tour of Simply Tomatoes, Aussie Wool Quilts, and Saluta Olivia.

Brim Painted Silos
The silo artwork in Brim 1h 15 mins drive SW of Culgoa has attracted many visitors to the otherwise sleepy farming town. Brisbane’s street artist Guido van Helton painted a giant mural on the town’s 30 metre tall disused grain silo turning it into an amazing piece of artwork. Due to the silo winning admirers from all around the world the creation of the Silo Art Trail is being developed. The Silo Art Trail is developing into a 200km outdoor gallery of sky-high art.

Lake Tyrell –Sea Lake
Lake Tyrell, Victoria’s largest salt lake is 1h 30min drive north of Culgoa and 6 kms north of the town Sea Lake. Recently it has been referred to as the ‘Sky Mirror’ on social media because of its beautiful reflective images that give the optical illusion that you’re walking on clouds during the day or on stars at night. The lake when not dry is usually covered in about 5cm of water which not only makes a mirror image of the amazing sunrises, sunsets, and starry nights but also gives the impression that you are walking on water.

National Parks
For the nature lovers, Culgoa is surrounded by National Parks, some within a 2 hour drive. Wyperfeld National Park is located 1h 45min to the west and Hattah-Kulkyne National Park, a popular destination for bushwalking, bike riding, and canoeing is only 1h 44min drive NW of Culgoa.

WHAT’S NEARBY
Torneys Tank Bushland Reserve
Kinnabulla Rest Area
Lake Tyrell Rest Area