Camperdown Come C 4 yr SELFie
A no drive, no limits self-ride itinerary
There you are studying or working hard in Melbourne and craving a long weekend escape. How about an active big sky, fresh air volcanic lakes and peaks, coffee treats, type weekend? Or perhaps you would prefer an antique and vintage browsing, long lazy lunch type escape!
Don’t worry, you don’t have to choose. We know you deserve it, so we crafted a solution where you can leave the car and city traffic behind.
Get ready to jump on train to Camperdown in SW Victoria and discover a small-town haven surrounded by the natural beauty of Victoria’s Volcanic Lakes and Plains.
Why by train? Good for you, good for the planet and good for 2 hours of uninterruptable chill time on the journey to Camperdown and back again. 3 days to fully decompress and explore on bike and foot without contending with city traffic.
No bike, no problem you can hire Mountain and E-bikes with Ride With Us
Getting Here
All the best adventures start, and end, with a soundtrack. Tune into our “Camperdown Come C 4 yr selfie” playlist on Spotify for fresh beats and treats from around the globe and get ready explore smooth grooves from India, China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines, Nepal, and more.
Travel to Camperdown by Train
Daily V/Line 2hr 22min services run from Melbourne Southern Cross, to Camperdown, via Geelong.
Morning weekday services
- Departing Melbourne Southern Cross 7:26am
arriving Camperdown 9:56am - Departing Melbourne Southern Cross 10:12am
arriving Camperdown 12:49pm
Morning weekend services
- Departing Melbourne Southern Cross 7:34am
arriving Camperdown 9:56am - Departing Melbourne Southern Cross 10:03am
arriving Camperdown 12:49pm
Timetable information HERE.
Travel to Camperdown by Car
Camperdown is located 2 hr 30 min and 199km from central Melbourne via the Princes Hwy and Colac and via the same route from Geelong.
Travel responsibly – travel safe. Why not travel together to share the drive load and the fuel? Wherever you are travelling from in Victoria plan to pull over and take a break from driving every 2 hours
- Get enough sleep before driving
- Avoid driving late at night
- Don’t travel for more than 8 – 10 hours a day
- Share the driving wherever possible
- Don’t drink alcohol before your trip
- Take a 15-minute powernap if you feel drowsy
- Grab a coffee to recharge
DAY ONE: Thank goodness it’s Friday & welcome!
MORNING
Orientation & Information
Head south from the historic Camperdown station. Whether arriving by car or train the iconic 35m 1897 Gothic style Clocktower proudly marks the centre of town.
It is true that some of our real local gems are in the friendly faces behind every counter. An ideal first stop just opposite the Clocktower is The Courthouse Camperdown. Open daily from 10.00am to 3.00pm.
Browse arts, locally crafted goods and fill your cup with local knowledge to nail the detail on your weekend adventure.
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The Courthouse Camperdown
179 Manifold Street, Camperdown
Time for a Hot Drink and a Sweet Treat
There are lots of options within a short walk east or west of the Courthouse.
Camperdown boasts two tasty bakeries: Loaf and Lounge, open Monday to Friday 6.00am – 4.00pm, Saturday 7.00 – 4.00pm and Sunday 8.30am – 3.00pm and Camperdown Bakery, open Monday to Friday 6.00am – 3.30pm, Saturday 6.00am – 1.30pm. They are located at opposite ends of town and on opposite sides of the street. You can choose to sit inside, relax outside, or grab to go and keep exploring (we will love you even more if you consider bringing or buying a keep cup!).
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The Loaf and Lounge
223-225 Manifold Street, Camperdown
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Camperdown Bakery
114 Manifold Street, Camperdown
Tik Tok Climb the Clock
Get ready to elevate your day with a climbing tour up the internal staircase of Camperdown’s magnificent Gothic clocktower. Clocktower tours are available contact local historian and caretaker, John Hulm. Allow 45 minutes to learn about the mechanism, history and get some great shots.
Camperdown Clocktower Tours are available by appointment. Contact John Hulm on 0418 349 220
A fee of $5 cash can be paid on the day or card payments can be made with Corangamite Shire Council, Monday to Friday 9.00am – 5.00pm
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Camperdown Clocktower
180 Manifold Street, Camperdown
AFTERNOON
Lunch
DJ’s offers homemade cakes, pies and lunches with a delightful nostalgic decor amd cosy bay window seating. Browse antiques in the café run pop up vintage and antique store. Open Monday to Saturday 8.30am – 3.30pm.
Camperdown WellNest Tasty organic and wholefoods café. Delicious chai and coffee. A certain barista may even sing for you. Run by a nutritionist and catering for dietary requirements. Open Monday to Wednesday 7.00am – 4.00pm | Thursday 7.00am – 5.00pm | Friday 7.00am – 6.00pm | Saturday 8.00am – 1.00pm
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DJ's Café
131 Manifold Street, Camperdown
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Camperdown WellNest
162 Manifold Street, Camperdown
Recycled Reveries and Retro Rambles
Time for some vintage – antique – garagenalia themed shopping. Check out Camperdown options on our Volcanic Lakes and Plains “Recycled Reveries & Retro Rambles” tour.
- Vinnies Camperdown | Monday – Saturday 9.30am – 4.00pm
- Lifeline Camperdown | Monday – Friday 9.00am – 5.00pm | Saturday 9.00am – 4.00pm | Sunday 10.00am – 4.00pm
- Sunnyside Camperdown | Monday – Friday 9.00am – 4.00pm | Saturday 9.30am – 12.30pm
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Vinnies Camperdown
156 Manifold Street, Camperdown
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Lifeline
178 Manifold Street, Camperdown
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Sunnyside Camperdown
184 Manifold Street, Camperdown
GOLDEN HOUR
When the light turns to wonder at each end of the day there are places we retreat to soak up the views.
Tonight we are sending you to the Lake Bullen Merri and Gnotuk lookout just in front of the Camperdown Botanic Gardens as you soak up the views reflect on the Djagurd Wurrung people of Eastern Maar Nation who have lived and walked through active volcanics in this region.
EVENING
Dinner
You will be having dinner tonight at Farmhouse @ 153 a popular local café and restaurant located in the Stansmore’s Livery Stables building, built in 1907.
The Farmhouse @ 153 offers dinner Thursday & Friday evenings from 5.00pm
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Farmhouse @ 153
153 Manifold Street, Camperdown
DAY TWO: Morning views – a lakeside lunch – and casting for a catch!
MORNING
Breakfast
Feeling hungry? Today we suggest you and your taste buds take a stroll to the west end of town to fuel up and stretch the legs for a big day ahead.
Excuse Me Katie’s Fresh, biodynamic, ethical locally sourced ingredients, crafted into deliciousness, organic St Ali coffee pressed and expressed through Betty the iconic pink coffee machine. Excuse Me Katie’s is open daily from 6.00am.
Loaf and Lounge From quality raw ingredients to soul lifting treats served with a quality coffee. All items made from scratch on site and combined with locally sourced seasonal ingredients in their café kitchen. Open weekdays from 6.00am, Saturday 7.00am and Sunday 8.30am.
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Excuse Me Katie's
243 Manifold Street, Camperdown
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Loaf and Lounge
223-225 Manifold Street, Camperdown
Something Recycled, Something New...
After breakfast we thought we would allow a little time for shopping options focussing on new and recycled clothing to accessorise, provide a little wardrobe spice and take a little of Camperdown home with you.
In case you didn’t discover our 3 Op shops in your vintage, antique and garagenalia ramblings you can find them all within 100m of each other on the northern side of our historic elm lined Avenue Vinnies Camperdown, Lifeline Camperdown and Sunnyside Camperdown offer well organised, carefully curated and presented items making it easy for you to find gems on the shelves (thanks to the gems behind the counter).
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Vinnies Camperdown
156 Manifold Street, Camperdown
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Lifeline
178 Manifold Street, Camperdown
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Sunnyside Camperdown
184 Manifold Street, Camperdown
...Something Awesome Just For You!
On the south side of our historic green avenue you will find some unique new clothes options too.
HERE. Home, Style & Design Easy wearing, timeless, style, proudly showcasing small batch Australian designed clothing and gorgeous homewares in a stylish space at the eastern end of town.
Tuesday & Wednesday 10.00am – 4.00pm | Thursday & Friday 10.00am – 5.00pm | Saturday 10.00am – 2.00pm
Vintage Gnotuk Filled with bespoke upcycled furniture and carefully sourced new and vintage homewares Browse hats, accessories and timeless clothing pieces and soak up a wonderfully eclectic vibe.
Monday, Wednesday to Friday 10.00am – 5.00pm | Saturday & Sunday 10.00am – 4.00pm
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HERE. Home Style & Design
129 Manifold Street, Camperdown
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Vintage Gnotuk
171 Manifold Street, Camperdown
PLAN B: Time to Get On Line!
Book a morning or afternoon lake fishing charter with Victorian Inland Fishing Charters who have am and pm options (4 hours) for 1 – 3 people with all equipment supplied. If the conditions are right you will be on the water for epic morning and afternoon light and with well stocked volcanic lakes and expert advice you are highly likely to catch a fish.
Like the idea of fishing but not keen on the boat? There are some good bank fishing options just below the Lakes and Craters Holiday Park on a trail that extends east around Lake Bullen Merri. You could ride there on the Camperdown – North Beach Bullen Merri – Botanic Gardens return ride there are also good jetty and bank fishing options at South Beach Lake Bullen Merri and Lake Purrumbete. Benallacks Sports in Camperdown sell fishing rods tackle, bait and gear including satchels to carry your rod walking or on a bike.
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Victorian Inland Fishing Charters
Various locations
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Benallacks Sports
203-205 Manifold Street, Camperdown
AFTERNOON
On your Bike for a Chew with a View to Remember!
Get ready for a 14km ride with the slow reveal of Lake Purrumbete and fine food ahead of you. Worried about the distance? Bring or borrow an e-bike or hire one with Ride With Us for the journey South on Camperdown – Cobden Road and East on County Boundary East and Purrumbete Estate Road to the delicious Lake Edge Café.
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Ride with Us
Multiple locations
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Lake Edge Café
658 Purrumbete Estate Road, Tesbury
PLAN B: A Pie in the Hand at the Base of a Volcano, Cheering for our Team!
You can get a taste of local country football and netball at Leura Oval on some weekends (April – Sept). Check for Camperdown home games in the 2025 Football Netball Fixture.
Hot tip: pack something black and white to support the local team!
GOLDEN HOUR
The views from Mount Leura are spectacular as you rise from heritage streetscapes to spectacular views over a volcanic landscape dotted with lakes and peaks as far as the eye can see. Take a moment to soak it all in…..then whip out the accessories and prepare to take your socials game into the stratosphere.
EVENING
Dinner
Hampden Hotel is our dinner selection for tonight discover an authentic regional hotel and hub for the local community. Tasty comfort food and special board treats to refuel after your “Super Saturday”.
Open daily and serving lunch from 12.00pm, serving dinner from 5.30pm.
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Hampden Hotel
228 Manifold Street, Camperdown
DAY THREE: Early birds capture the sunrise, but some birds just need more sleep !
MORNING
Breakfast
Farmhouse @ 153 Fancy a breakfast with all the trimmings this morning. How does Bacon, egg, sausages, beans, tomato and mushrooms sound? Yummy, vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options to ensure choice and deliciousness for you and your crew. Enjoy inside or alfresco dining from 7.00am Monday to Saturday and 8.00am Sunday.
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Farmhouse @ 153
153 Manifold Street, Camperdown
Back in the Saddle!
This morning you will climb through the town for views north to distant peaks including Mount Elephant and Mount Noorat 2 of the 4 peaks that form part of the annual 4 peaks challenge.
Head out on The Gardens – Lakes and Monuments Return ride starting from the Camperdown Clocktower climbing through the streets of Camperdown to stunning lakeside views and the Camperdown Botanic Gardens (please leave bikes at the gate and walk on in the route).
Enjoy the Gardens and Arboretum with spectacular elevated views over Lake Bullen Merri and Lake Gnotuk before descending down towards the historically significant Camperdown Public Cemetery is perched on the northern flank of the crater rim that frames Lake Gnotuk.
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The Camperdown Cemetery contains significant monuments including the Wombeetch Puuyun Grave Monument. On the polished base of the Victorian Heritage Register listed obelisk; in gilded letters, are the words: “In Memory of the Aborigines of this district. Here lies the body of the chief, Wombeetch Puyuun, and the last of the local tribes.”
Rider caution
This section of the ride includes a 300m stretch on the Princes Hwy (A1). Sight lines are good, the road is straight and there is a substantial shoulder, but riders need to be aware this section is along a 100kmh section or road. If you are uncomfortable it is possible to walk this short section both ways or shorten your ride and return to Camperdown straight from the Botanic Gardens downhill via Park Avenue
AFTERNOON
Lunch
Excuse me Katie’s has introduced a picnic package complete with ground blankets, rugs and platter packed with biodynamic and organic local ingredients supercharged with flavour in their pink “Dancing Kitchen”.
Find a spot to rest beneath the elms to replenish, recharge and reflect on a spectacular weekend.
Keep an eye and ear out for the clock – we know you know where it is. There may still be time for a final browse or purchase so you can take a little Camperdown home with you.
Train Times Departing for Melbourne
Afternoon weekend services
Departing Camperdown Station
- 1:08pm arriving Melbourne Southern Cross 3:43pm
- 4:02pm arriving Melbourne Southern Cross 6:33pm
Afternoon weekday services
Departing Camperdown Station
- 1:08pm arriving Melbourne Southern Cross 3:43pm
- 4:02pm arriving Melbourne Southern Cross 6:38pm
For more timetable information click here.
Return Travel to Melbourne by Car
We know that you’ve had a big weekend.
Please allow time to take a break from driving every 2 hours and where possible share driving duties to ensure that you arrive home safely.
Supercharge your morning and run or walk to the hills for sunrise on the epic Mt Leura twin peaks trail run loop!
Favour a longer ride to lunch? You will need to start a little earlier but may prefer to tackle the
A Mount – 3 Lakes and Coffee by Bike route to get to Lake Purrumbete.
Climb through the town for views north to distant peaks including Mount Elephant and Mount Noorat, whilst heading out on
The Gardens – Lakes and Monuments Return ride
Camperdown Courthouse – North Beach Bullen Merri – Botanic Gardens Return Ride
- By day 2 of the Paris Olympics in 2024 Camperdown (if it was a nation) would have been coming 19th in medal tally courtesy of local female athletes Grace Brown (cycling individual time trial) and Penny Smith (trap shooting).
- Many of the vistas you have enjoyed over the last few days have been painted by the Austrian landscape artist Eugene Von Guerard. Von Guerard had a deep love of the Western Victorian volcanic plains. He painted with such detail that his works have been used to guide major revegetation and seed provenance projects. Check out his work and challenge yourself to identify where he sketched and painted.
- The unique gothic clocktower that stands in the middle of town was built in memory of and funded by the family of Thomas, Peter Manifold who was killed in a hunting accident in 1895. There are 95 steps within the clocktower and the each of the four clock faces are 1.83 metres in diameter.
- Camperdown is home to the oldest statue of Scottish poet and bard Robert Burns. The statue can be viewed at any time through the window of the Corangamite Shire offices right next to The Courthouse Camperdown. Step right inside to view up close and personal inside the doors (Mon – Fri 9am – 5pm).
Tempted?
As you can see there is plenty of flavour, charm and things to see and do on foot, more to explore on bike and certainly an extended range with an e-bike. You know you can always bring your car but that is a different itinerary!
