You don't need a car, a full tank of petrol, or a long drive to get a proper camping weekend in Victoria. Doon Reserve Caravan Park in Yarra Junction is under two hours from Melbourne by public transport, sitting on the Yarra River in the foothills of the Yarra Ranges. Train to Lilydale, bus to Yarra Junction, short walk to the river. That's genuinely all it takes.

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How to get to Doon Reserve without a car​

Step 1: Train to Lilydale

Take the Lilydale Line from Flinders Street, Melbourne Central, Parliament or Richmond. Trains run regularly throughout the day. Get off at Lilydale Station.

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Step 2: Bus 683 to Yarra Junction

From Lilydale Station, catch Route 683 toward Warburton. The bus runs through the Yarra Valley and stops in Yarra Junction. Check the PTV app before you leave for live times and connections, timetables vary on weekends.

 

Step 3: Walk to Doon Reserve

From the Yarra Junction bus stop it's a short walk of under ten minutes to Doon Reserve. Even with a full pack it's manageable. No taxi, no Uber, no second transfer needed.

 

Why this trip works so well

A lot of camping destinations that are technically accessible by public transport involve complicated connections, long gaps between services, or a final leg that still requires a car. Doon Reserve avoids all of that.

The train runs regularly. The bus goes directly to Yarra Junction. The walk at the end is short. And once you arrive, you're on the Yarra River with trees around you and the city genuinely feeling distant, despite being less than two hours away.

For solo travellers, couples, or anyone who doesn't own a car or simply doesn't want to drive, it's one of the most straightforward camping escapes available from Melbourne.

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What Doon Reserve is like

Doon Reserve sits directly on the Yarra River in Yarra Junction, about 65 kilometres from Melbourne. It's a proper campground: well-spaced sites, riverfront positions on the water, campfires, and quiet. In winter only powered and riverfront sites are open, which keeps the park uncrowded and the atmosphere relaxed.

Yarra Junction itself has everything you need for a weekend away. Bakery, supermarket, cafes, and the river nearby for walks. It's a genuinely good base without requiring a car once you're there.

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Book your stay here.