School camps · Getting here

School camps near Melbourne, Ballarat and Geelong

Camp Sunnystones is at 98 Possumtail Run, Merrimu, about 45 minutes from Melbourne, Ballarat and Geelong. It’s close enough for a short bus trip, and far enough that your students arrive in the bush, beside the Long Forest Nature Conservation Reserve.

Where we are

About 45 minutes from Melbourne, Ballarat and Geelong

Long Forest Port Phillip Bay Western Freeway (M8) N 68 km 58 km 62 km Ballarat Melbourne Geelong Camp Sunnystones Distances by road from each city centre. Positions approximate.
Directions

Getting here

From Melbourne

Western Freeway (M8) towards Bacchus Marsh, exit at C802, then Flanagans Drive and Possumtail Run. 58 km from the city centre.

Directions from Melbourne

From Ballarat

Western Freeway (M8) towards Melbourne, then Flanagans Drive and Possumtail Run. 68 km from the city centre.

Directions from Ballarat

From Geelong

Princes Highway, then Geelong–Bacchus Marsh Road (C704) to Merrimu, then Flanagans Drive and Possumtail Run. 62 km from the city centre.

Directions from Geelong
Walk-in day

The bus route on day one

If your camp starts with the walk-in, your bus makes three stops. Aim to reach the toilet stop by 10:10am, or 20 minutes before your agreed walk-in time.

  1. Toilet stop: Merrimu Reservoir Picnic Area, Diggers Rest–Coimadai Road. There are no toilets on the walk, so allow about 15 minutes here.
  2. Drop-off: opposite 75 Canopus Circuit, Long Forest — 4.9 km, about 5 minutes. Students get off here with their day packs and walk into camp with our instructor.
  3. The bus continues to camp with the luggage — 11.2 km, about 12 minutes, via Long Forest Road, the Old Western Highway, Bacchus Marsh Road, Flanagans Drive and Possumtail Run, to the car park beside the homestead.
Open the bus route in Google Maps
Arriving by bus

Coaches and parking

A full-size coach can drive all the way to our car park, right next to the homestead. The driveway in is gravel and in good condition. Teachers driving themselves park in our staff car park.

We recommend Christian’s Bus Company in Bacchus Marsh.

Day one

Arriving with the walk-in

Most schools start camp with our walk-in. Our instructor meets the group in the Long Forest Nature Conservation Reserve and walks everyone into camp along the Coimadai Track, while the bus brings the luggage round to the car park beside the homestead.

See a sample program
Good to know

Common questions

How far is Camp Sunnystones from Melbourne?
About 45 minutes, via the Western Freeway.
Is it close to Ballarat and Geelong?
Yes, about 45 minutes from each.
Can a coach get to the camp?
Yes. A full-size coach can reach the car park beside the homestead along our gravel driveway.
Can teachers drive their own cars?
Yes. Teachers park in our staff car park.
Which bus company do you recommend?
Christian’s Bus Company in Bacchus Marsh.
Start planning

Enquire about a school camp

Tell us about your year level, group size and preferred term, and our team will be in touch within one business day.

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