Camping – Great Ocean Road

There’s no better way to enjoy the natural beauty of this region than by camping out.

All along the Bellarine Peninsula there are beautiful foreshore reserves with camp sites offering stunning views of Port Phillip Bay.

At Cumberland River, a few kilometres the Apollo Bay side of Lorne, the scenery is postcard like, with dense bush, a rugged cliff face beside the river and an idyllic grassed camping ground.

Small resorts have also grown around Wye River and Kennett River between Lorne and Apollo Bay offering camping among unsurpassed bush and beach scenery.

For something a little more secluded remote Blanket Bay in the Great Otway National Park is a beautiful camping area as are the campsites at Stevensons Falls and secluded Lake Elizabeth near Forrest.

Further along the coast at the Lower Glenelg National Park, you can pitch your tent on the banks of the beautiful Glenelg River, surrounded by tall trees and total tranquillity. Camping areas have been set aside all along the river. For a truly memorable experience, hire a canoe in Nelson and do a canoe safari camping out along the way.

For permits and more information contact Parks Victoria on 131 963 (within Australia)

Here are some of the best camping spots in the region:

Bellarine Peninsula:

• Barwon Heads Foreshore
  Situated on Barwon Heads Foreshore, close to the surf beach and Barwon River this camping area offers fantastic bay views. Access from Ewing Blyth Drive, Barwon Heads. Facilities include toilets, showers, picnic tables, barbecues. Bookings essential at peak times. Further information and bookings: Ph 03 5254 1115.
• Queenscliffe Recreation Reserve 
  Beautiful camping area situated on the foreshore at Queenscliff. Access from Hesse Street, Queenscliff. Facilities include toilets, showers, picnic tables and barbecues. Bookings essential at peak times. Further information and bookings: Ph 03 5258 1765.
• Bellarine Bayside – Portarlington
  Camping and caravan sites with absolute beach frontage and views across Port Phillip Bay to the skyline of Melbourne. Access via Portarlington foreshore. Facilities include showers, toilets, picnic tables, camp kitchens. Bookings essential at peak times. Further information and bookings: Ph 1800 222 778.

Torquay to Apollo Bay:

• Cumberland River Reserve
  Stunning setting beside the river and an idyllic grassed camping area. Located 7 kilometres south-west of Lorne. Access via Great Ocean Road. Facilities include toilets, showers, fireplaces and picnic shelters.
• Kennet River Foreshore Reserve
  Beautiful setting with beach frontage to Bass Strait and beside the Kennett River. Located at Kennett River between Lorne and Apollo Bay. Access via Great Ocean Road. Facilities include toilets, showers and fireplaces.
• Wye River Reserve
  Idyllic setting alongside Bass Strait and the Wye River. Located at Wye River, 15 kilometres south of Lorne. Access via Great Ocean Road. Facilities include toilets, showers, fireplaces and picnic shelters.

Apollo Bay to Warrnambool:

• Blanket Bay – Great Otway National Park
  Campsites are on the edge of a safe swimming beach. Near Cape Otway, via Lighthouse Road and Blanket Bay Road. Bookings essential in school holidays. Facilities include pit toilets, communal fireplaces and picnic tables. Bring your own water. No dogs.
• Johanna Beach – Great Otway National Park
  Campsites set behind the sand dunes at this popular surf beach. Red Johanna Road, Johanna. Off the Great Ocean Road. Suitable for caravans. Toilets, no fires. Dogs on lead.
• Stevensons Falls
  Large camping area beside the river and within easy walking distance of the beautiful Stevensons Falls. Toilets with disabled access, picnic tables, wood fireplaces (BYO wood). Off Skenes Creek-Forest Road at Barramunga south of Colac.

Warrnambool to Nelson:

• Battersby’s camping area – Lower Glenelg National Park
  Located on Glenelg Drive, north east of Nelson. Facilities include toilets, picnic tables and barbecue facilities. The site features two river landings and is located on the Great South West Walk. Two camp sites available. Parks Victoria permits required.
• Forest Camp South – Lower Glenelg National Park
  Located on the south side of the Glenelg River, the site offers 4 campsites, a river landing, toilets, picnic tables and barbecue facilities. Access is via Wanwin Road. Views of the Glenelg River gorge. Parks Victoria permits required.

Obtain a copy of the Glenelg River Canoeing Guide from Parks Victoria for details of all other canoe camping areas.