Friday's Campground

This campground is well structured with excellent amenities including picnic tables, wood fire barbecues, bench seating and toilets. Huge pine trees provide shade over the camp sites.

There are several fantastic walks in the area, including the historic 8.5 km Steiglitz Circuit Walk and the Burchell Trail, a three day hike.

Friday's Campground is managed by Parks Victoria and requires bookings/fees. For more information on bookings visit the Parks Victoria website.

An information sign provided by Parks Victoria displays the following text:

WELCOME TO BRISBANE RANGES NATIONAL PARK

FRIDAY'S CAMPING AND PICNIC AREA

This is a great place for a picnic, a short walk, or to begin the three-day Burchell Trail walk.

Nearby Steiglitz is almost a ghost town today, but at the height of the 1860s gold rush, it had over 1500 residents, four hotels, a newspaper, a variety of shops and even an undertaker. 

Camping

There are two designated camping grounds in the park - seven sites at Boar Gully Camp Ground in the north of the park and 10 sites here at Friday's Camping and Picnic Area. Both have pit toilets and tank water, plus one designated camp trailer or caravan site at each camp ground.

Bookings are required for all campsites including the bushwalkers Only sites along the Burchell Trail. Book online at www.parks.vic.gov.au or call 13 1963 (fees apply).

Walks from Fridays Camping and Picnic Area

Steiglitz circuit walk - 8.5km, moderate

This walk is accessible from many locations

Overnight walks

1. The Pines to Steiglitz Courthouse - Start at the Pines carparks on Durdiwarrah Road between Alliance and Fridays Tracks. Head south past large mullock heaps, remnants of the New Chum Mine. Enjoy views over Steiglitz Historic Park and Brisbane Ranges National Park. Continue south along Alliance and Hay Tracks, crossing Sutherlands Creek, into the township of Steiglitz.

2. Steiglitz to The Crossing Picnic Area - from the Courthouse, enter Stawell Street and follow Deadmans Loop Walking Track through to Hut Road then continue to The Crossing Picnic Area.

3. The Crossing Picnic Area to The Pines - This section of track runs parallel to Yankee Gully Creek before heading up a shallow gully to Mulrooney's Track and The Pines carpark. Look for remnants of the gold mining era. 

Burchell Trail - 40km, 3 days one way, moderate (orange markers)

For the more adventurous, the Burchell Trail is a great way to see what Brisbane Ranges National Park has to offer. The trail was named in honour of Tom Burchell, who was a founding member of the Friends of the Brisbane Ranges. 

Start here at Fridays Camping and Picnic Area or from Boar Gully Camping Area in the north of the park. The trail follows a combination of tracks, roads and management vehicle tracks and includes overnight camps at Old Mill Camping Area and Little River Picnic and Camping Area. Toilets, wood fireplaces and tank water are provided at each camp site. The water is not recommended for drinking as it is untreated. 

Boar Gully Camp Ground to Little River Picnic and Camping Area - 10km, 3.5 hours
Little River Picnic and Camping Area to Old Mill Camping Area - 17km, 6 hours
Old Mill Camping Area to Fridays Camping and Picnic Area - 10.5km, 3 hours

The number of walkers on the trail at any one time is restricted, so bookings are essential and fees apply Book online at www.parks.vic.gov.au or by calling 13 1963.

Rock climbing and abseiling

Staughtonvale Climbing Face is located along the southern end of McLean's Highway and accessed via a short walk from the carpark. The walk leads to a steep rock face with good views of the park. Both rock climbing and abseiling are permitted with bolts located at the top to protect the trees.

The cliff face is closed to all climbers from 1 August through to 30 November to avoid disturbance of the Peregrine Falcons during the critical stages of their breeding cycle. 

Phytophthora cinnamomi

Phytophthora cinnamomi (PC) is an introduced plant killing water mould that lives in wet soil and attacks and destroys plant root systems causing plants to die through lack of water and nutrients. Patches of dead or dying vegetation can indicate the presence of this silent killer. 

The disease is spread through infected plants and the movement of contaminated soil and gravel. There is no known practical cure for the disease, but its spread can be limited by preventing the movement of infected soil. All management tracks have been closed to vehicle, bicycle and horse access to prevent the spread of this serious threat. Several tracks have been quarantined to restrict all access. 

Please use boot cleaning stations strategically placed along walking tracks within the park.

Prior to entering and leaving the park, use a sturdy brush to remove all soil from footwear and camping gear, then spray with a 70% methylated spirits/water solution or with bleach.

BE FIRE READY AND STAY SAFE

On days of forecast Code Red Fire Danger this park will be closed for public safety.

If you are already in the park you should leave the night before or early in the morning for your own safety.

Closure signs will be erected and rangers will patrol where possible, however you may not receive a personal warning that the park is closed so check by calling 13 1963 or visit www.parks.vic.gov.au

For up to date information on fires in Victoria or general fire safety advice call the Victorian Bushfire Information Line on 1800 240 667.

LOOKING AFTER THE PARK

All plants, animals, archaeological sites and geological features are protected. 
Please take all rubbish with you for recycling and disposal.
Cats and firearms are not permitted in the park.
Dogs are permitted within the park, but must be kept on a lead at all times. 
All plants and animals are protected.
Light fires only in fireplaces provided. No fires are permitted on a day of Total Fire Ban. Built in and portable gas or electric barbecues may be used provided: a 3 metre area is cleared of anything flammable. At least 10 litres of water is available for immediate use. An adult is in attendance at all times. Fires must be completely extinguished before leaving. 
Bicycles are only permitted on the main access road.