English's bridge campground

English's Bridge Campground is a free, unpowered riverside camp on the Campaspe River in Goornong, about half an hour north-east of Bendigo. It suits anyone travelling with a dog who wants a quiet bush camp with swimming water at the doorstep, as long as you are happy to be fully self-sufficient.

Camping with your dog

Dogs are welcome at the campground area south of English Bridge Road, on-lead or closely supervised, and campers regularly bring pets here. One boundary matters: the Streamside Reserve managed by Parks Victoria directly north of the road does not allow dogs, so know which side of the bridge you are on before relaxing the lead. Pick up after your dog and take waste with you, since there are no bins.

The place itself

Camping is free, with room for tents, camper trailers, caravans and RVs under large gum trees along the river. Facilities are deliberately minimal: a couple of picnic tables and wood fire barbecues, no toilets and no rubbish collection, so it is pack in, pack out all the way. The river offers shallow, sandy pools for wading and swimming, though the water is not drinkable for you or your dog, so carry your own.

Max: the river can rise quickly after rain, so check conditions before letting your dog swim, and keep clear of the crossing if the water looks fast.

Getting there and when to go

Access is via Englishs Road off the Midland Highway, gravel but generally fine for 2WD, with a check of conditions wise after heavy rain. Midweek is quietest; the ground near the river crossing fills first on weekends, so arrive early or walk further along the bank for space and shade.

While you're out there

In Goornong itself the Drovers Arms Hotel is the local pub, and the Axedale Tavern sits downstream toward Bendigo. If you would rather a park with facilities, River Gardens Axedale is another riverside stay nearby.

More options are on the Victoria pet friendly stays guide and the Goornong destination page.