Find a firewood collection area

Firewood collection in Victoria

Firewood for personal use is free but limited in supply. Availability varies by location and season. Maps showing designated collection areas are published annually at the start of each season. The official determination of collection areas and any amendments are published in the government gazette before the season opens.

Availability of firewood

Firewood availability is not guaranteed. Supply may vary due to weather, operational activities, or forest conditions. Some areas may open later as more wood becomes available, while others may close at short notice. Firewood typically comes from:

• natural tree falls
• hazard tree removals
• planned burn operations
• storm and recovery activities.

Most firewood is green and needs 8 to 12 months to dry before it is suitable for burning. Because supply is limited, priority access may apply for local residents or communities that rely heavily on firewood. In some areas, collectors may be required to prove residency.

Plan ahead and explore energy options

People who rely on firewood as their primary source of heating and cooking are encouraged to plan their supply early, use firewood efficiently, and explore their energy options.

Where you can collect firewood (maps available each season)

Firewood may only be collected during the autumn and spring seasons from areas shown on the official maps. Maps are published on 1 September and 1 March each year. Collection areas are clearly marked with signage.

New parks in Central West Victoria and Mirboo North

The Victorian Government is creating over 65,000 hectares of new parks in Victoria’s Central West and in Mirboo North.

Parks Victoria will be the responsible land manager for three new national parks, three conservation parks, seven new and expanded regional parks, and various new nature and bushland reserves from 5 October.

They include:

• new Mount Buangor, Pyrenees and Wombat-Lerderderg national parks
• new Cobaw, Hepburn and Mirboo North conservation parks
• new Barkstead, Blackwood, Fingerpost, Pyrenees and Spargo Creek regional parks and additions to Bendigo and Hepburn regional parks.

Firewood collection is not permitted in the new national parks, conservation parks, Pyrenees Regional Park and the northern additions to Hepburn Regional Park.

However, firewood collection from designated areas will continue until 1 July 2029 in the:

• new Bendigo Regional Park
• southern addition to Hepburn Regional Park
• new Barkstead, Blackwood, Fingerpost and Spargo Creek regional parks.

Free firewood can still be collected in spring and autumn from designated firewood collection areas in state forests.

Less firewood will be available in the Midlands District (which includes Wombat State Forest and Mount Cole) compared to recent years due to end of fire and storm recovery works and changes to land tenure.

To help mitigate the impact of reduced availability, three firewood collection sites will be available in October for those who previously accessed firewood collection areas in the Wombat State Forest.

For people who previously collected firewood from collection areas in the Mt Cole State Forest, two alternative firewood collection sites will be available.

Rule and penalties

Firewood collection rules are set out in the:

• Forests (Domestic Firewood) Regulations 2022
• Crown Land (Reserves) (Domestic Firewood) Regulations 2022.

FFMVic and the Conservation Regulator patrol collection areas. Serious penalties apply for illegal collection. For full details and how to report illegal collection, visit the Conservation Regulator website.

Safety and sustainability

For your safety:

• Avoid collecting during or after heavy rainfall to prevent getting bogged.
• Check weather conditions, warnings, and Fire Danger Ratings on the VicEmergency website or app.
• Do not enter forests on days rated Catastrophic for fire danger.
• Watch for overhead hazards, including falling branches when parking or collecting.
• Obey all road and track closures and on-site safety instructions.

Firewood collection is managed to protect forest health, wildlife habitat, and long-term ecosystem sustainability. For more information on how firewood is sustainably managed in Victoria, refer to the Sustainable firewood management guidelines.

Firewood collection areas may be closed if conditions become unsuitable or the resource is fully utilised.