Camping on the Great Ocean Walk is one of the most immersive ways to experience Victoria’s iconic coastline. Beginning in Apollo Bay, the trail winds through the forests of the Great Otway National Park before finishing in Port Campbell National Park at the world-famous Twelve Apostles.
While the walk loosely follows the Great Ocean Road, the experience on foot is entirely different. Quiet beaches, towering cliffs, dense forests and wild Southern Ocean views unfold day by day, making camping a rewarding option for walkers seeking a deeper connection with the landscape.
This guide focuses on planning and logistics — campsite types, walking distances, water availability, short walk options and how Walk91 can support your Great Ocean Walk camping experience.
What You’ll Experience on the Great Ocean Walk
The Great Ocean Walk showcases extraordinary environmental diversity. Walkers pass through tall eucalypt forests and cool fern gullies, cross creeks and rivers, weave through coastal heathlands and traverse exposed cliff tops overlooking deserted beaches and rocky shore platforms.
Along the way, wildlife encounters are common. Koalas are often spotted near Cape Otway, whales migrate offshore during winter, and seabirds are ever-present along the coast. Highlights include the historic Cape Otway Lighthouse, shipwreck relics at Wreck Beach, rockpools at Blanket Bay, the pounding surf of Johanna Beach, and remote sections such as Milanesia Beach, Ryans Den and Devils Kitchen.
Booking Campsites on the Great Ocean Walk
Camping on the Great Ocean Walk is only permitted at designated Parks Victoria campsites, and all campsites must be booked in advance.
Campsites are intentionally small to protect the environment, so availability can be limited during peak seasons such as summer, school holidays and long weekends. Rangers may check bookings on the trail, so always carry proof of your reservation.
Camping outside designated campsites is not permitted anywhere along the Great Ocean Walk.
Hike-In Campsites vs Group Campsites
There are two types of campsites along the Great Ocean Walk, and understanding the difference is essential when planning your walk.
Hike-in campsites are accessed only on foot and are designed for individual walkers and small groups. Each campground contains several compact tent sites, typically accommodating up to three people per site. Facilities are basic and include composting toilets, untreated rainwater tanks and a simple shelter.
Group campsites are separate bookable areas near some hike-in campgrounds. These are designed for larger organised groups and are booked as a single area rather than individual sites. Facilities are shared with the main campground, and booking a group site does not provide exclusive use of the entire area.
All Great Ocean Walk campsites are unpowered, tent-only, have no rubbish bins and campfires are not permitted.
Great Ocean Walk Hike-In Campsites – At a Glance
Tip: On mobile, swipe sideways to view the full itinerary table.
If you are thinking of only staying at one campsite for a night or two, please check out our tips on our favourite campsites.
| Campsite | Distance from Previous | Walk91 Insider Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Elliot Ridge | 9.8 km from Apollo Bay | Very sheltered, mosquito-heavy, no car access or phone reception |
| Blanket Bay | 12 km | Near car access, waterfall nearby |
| Cape Otway | 10.5 km | Koalas common, close to the lighthouse |
| Aire River | 9.6 km | Calm campsite, good shade |
| Johanna Beach | 13.8 km | Big coastal views, exposed to weather |
| Ryans Den | 13.8 km | Very remote, no vehicle access |
| Devils Kitchen | 12.8 km | Dramatic clifftop setting, no vehicle access. Good view from toilet! |
Campsite facilities: All Great Ocean Walk hike-in campsites include composting toilets, untreated rainwater tanks and a simple three-sided shelter. Campsites are unpowered, tent-only, have no rubbish bins and campfires are not permitted.
Great Ocean Walk Camping Distances (Campsite to Campsite)
Distances are approximate and may vary depending on tides, beach walking, weather and side trips.
(Tip: On mobile, swipe sideways to view the full itinerary table.)
| Walking Section | Approx. Distance |
|---|---|
| Apollo Bay → Elliot Ridge | 10 km |
| Elliot Ridge → Blanket Bay | 12 km |
| Blanket Bay → Cape Otway | 10–11 km |
| Cape Otway → Aire River | 9.5–10 km |
| Aire River → Johanna Beach | 12.5–14 km |
| Johanna Beach → Ryans Den | 13–14 km |
| Ryans Den → Devils Kitchen | 12–13.5 km |
| Devils Kitchen → Twelve Apostles | 16 km |
Parks Victoria lists the walk at approximately 100km, but most walkers complete closer to 104km – 110km once side trips and lookouts are included and if you are walking out to car parks.
Daily Walk91 Camping Itineraries; walk pack-free with a trailer to store your gear.
Walk91 offers self-guided camping tours for walkers who want independence with local support. Gear, water and supplies are transported in a private, lockable trailer to accessible locations, allowing you to walk with a lighter pack most days. You bring your own camping gear and food.
Our tip: We generally do not camp at Elliot Ridge due to limited vehicle access, unreliable phone reception and higher mosquito activity caused by its sheltered forest location.
How do the camping trailer logistics with Walk91 work?
Your camping trailer will be parked securely in Apollo Bay township, ready for you to load your gear either the afternoon before your walk or on the morning you start. We’ll send you a lock code by text, and an emergency positioning device will be placed in the trailer for your use during the walk.
How do we pack food to go into the trailer?
You’ll need to bring enough non-perishable food for the duration of your walk. The trailer and support vehicles do not have refrigeration, and there are no shops along the trail. Walk91 supplies safe town drinking water in a large container stored in the trailer, allowing you to refill your bottles before setting out each day, as there is no treated drinking water on the trail.
6-Day Great Ocean Walk Camping Itinerary (Approx. 100–104 km)
Tip: On mobile, swipe sideways to view the full itinerary tables.
| Day | Route | Distance | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Apollo Bay → Blanket Bay | 22 km | Camping |
| Day 2 | Blanket Bay → Aire River | 21 km | Camping |
| Day 3 | Aire River → Johanna Beach | 14 km | Camping |
| Day 4 | Johanna Beach → Ryans Den | 14 km | Camping (*or accommodation) |
| Day 5 | Ryans Den → Devils Kitchen(via Wreck Beach) | 13 km | Camping (*or accommodation) |
| Day 6 | Devils Kitchen → Twelve Apostles | 16 km | Finish |
* Prefer to Camp First, Then Enjoy a Little Comfort?
Many walkers love camping the Great Ocean Walk but find the final sections — particularly around Ryans Den, Devils Kitchen and Wreck Beach — more remote, exposed and logistically challenging.
Walk91 offers a popular 6-Day Great Ocean Walk with 3 Nights Camping and 2 Nights Accommodation, allowing you to enjoy classic camping early on, then finish the walk refreshed.
| Days | Overnight Style |
|---|---|
| Days 1–3 | Camping |
| Days 4–5 | Local accommodation |
| Day 6 | Finish at the Twelve Apostles |
Walk91 provides luggage transfers, drinking water, walk notes, safety equipment and local accommodation so you can focus on enjoying the walk rather than managing logistics.
4 Day Great Ocean Walk Camping Itinerary (Approx. 71 km)
4 Day Walk Itinerary pack-free with a trailer to store your gear. (Tip: On mobile, swipe sideways to view the full itinerary table.)
| Day | Route | Distance | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Apollo Bay → Blanket Bay | 22 km | Camping |
| Day 2 | Blanket Bay → Aire River | 21 km | Camping |
| Day 3 | Aire River → Johanna Beach | 14 km | Camping |
| Day 4 | Johanna Beach → Ryans Den | 14 km (+ short access walk) | Finish |
3 Day Great Ocean Walk Camping Itinerary (Approx. 57 km)
3 Day Walk Itinerary pack-free with a trailer to store your gear. (Tip: On mobile, swipe sideways to view the full itinerary table.)
| Day | Route | Distance | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Apollo Bay → Blanket Bay | 22 km | Camping |
| Day 2 | Blanket Bay → Aire River | 21 km | Camping |
| Day 3 | Aire River → Johanna Beach | 14 km | Finish |
Want to carry all your own gear & food?
Short Great Ocean Walk Camping Options (1–4 Nights)
If you don’t wish to walk the full trail, several shorter camping sections are ideal for experienced walkers carrying their own gear.
| Duration | Route | Distance | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 night | Shelly Beach → Cape Otway | 23.5 km | Easy–Medium |
| 1 night | Cape Otway → Johanna Beach | 22.5 km | Medium |
| 1 night | Milanesia Beach → Moonlight Head | 11.6 km | Medium–Hard |
| 2 nights | Apollo Bay → Cape Otway | ~31 km | Medium |
| 3 nights | Shelly Beach → Johanna Beach | ~47 km | Medium |
Drinking Water on the Great Ocean Walk
All hike-in campsites have untreated rainwater tanks. Water levels vary seasonally and may be low or empty during summer or dry years.
Walkers should plan to carry:
- At least 1–2 litres of water per person per day
- More on very hot, dry or windy days
- Water purification tablets or a filter
Walk91 supplies safe town drinking water at designated access points on supported camping tours.
Mobile Phone Reception on the Great Ocean Walk
Phone reception on the Great Ocean Walk can be intermittent and unreliable in some sections. Walkers should never rely on mobile coverage as their primary safety measure.
- Telstra provides the best reception in this area
- Optus and other networks are extremely patchy once you leave towns
- Long sections of the trail have no reception at all
Aire River is one of the campsites where there is limited reception:
- You may get one bar on the Aire River bridge, often enough to send a text
- Walking up the sand access road near the toilets can sometimes provide an extra bar or two
Reception varies daily and is not guaranteed. Walkers should plan their trip assuming they will not have phone reception when needed.
Final tips before starting your walk:
Before leaving Apollo Bay:
Carry emergency contact details with you
Leave your itinerary and campsite bookings with a trusted contact
Agree on what to do if you don’t check in by a certain time
Carry the Official Great Ocean Walk Map with you
Carry an EPIRB/ emergency positioning device. (Tip: Walk91 will provide one if you are being supported by us on our camping itineraries).
The Official Great Ocean Walk Map
You can choose between a Great Ocean Walk map booklet or a fold-out map, both available for purchase from us here at Walk91.
What Information Does the Great Ocean Walk Map List?
The Great Ocean Walk official Walker’s Map is highly detailed, providing information on decision points along the trail, emergency contact numbers, and instructions for total fire ban days. The booklet also includes historical insights about the trail and notes on the local flora and fauna.
FAQs – Camping on the Great Ocean Walk (Part 1)
Yes. All Great Ocean Walk campsites must be booked in advance through Parks Victoria. Campsites are limited in number and regularly sell out during peak seasons.
No. Camping is only permitted at designated Parks Victoria campsites. Bush camping is not allowed anywhere along the Great Ocean Walk.
Hike-in campsites are accessed only on foot and are designed for individual walkers and small groups, with small tent sites and basic facilities. Group campsites are separate bookable areas for larger organised groups and share facilities with nearby hike-in campgrounds.
The walk is officially around 100 km, but most walkers complete closer to 104 km once side trips, lookouts and beach access points are included.
Rainwater tanks are available at hike-in campsites, but the water is untreated and must be purified before drinking. Water levels can be low or empty during summer and dry periods.
You should carry at least 1–2 litres of water per person per day, and more on very hot, dry or windy days. Never rely solely on campsite water tanks.
Phone reception is intermittent and unreliable. Telstra provides the best coverage, but long sections of the walk have no reception at all. Limited reception is sometimes available at Aire River.
Elliot Ridge has no nearby vehicle access, limited mobile phone reception and tends to have higher mosquito activity due to its sheltered forest location. Walk91 designs itineraries around campsites where logistics and safety support are more reliable.
Yes. Walk91 offers self-guided Great Ocean Walk tours with accommodation each night, allowing you to walk pack-free while carrying only a small day pack.
Yes. Walk91 offers self-guided camping tours with local support, including luggage transfers to accessible locations, drinking water, walk notes and safety equipment.
Before You Continue Planning…
For detailed packing advice, safety information and answers to common camping questions, read our Great Ocean Walk Camping Guide – What to Pack, Safety & FAQs (Part 2).
If you’d prefer to walk pack-free, carrying only a small day pack and no camping gear, we can help with that too. Walk91 offers a range of self-guided Great Ocean Walk tours with accommodation each night, so camping is not required.
We can also design a custom self-guided walking itinerary to match your preferred pace, available time and level of comfort — whether that’s a short escape or a relaxed multi-day walk with luggage transfers and local support.
If you’re unsure which option is right for you, just get in touch and we’ll be happy to help you plan the perfect walk.
📍 Locally Based. Highly Experienced. Walk with Confidence.
👉 Get in touch:
📞 Phone: 03 5237 1189
📩 Email: info@walk91.com.au
🌐 Website: www.walk91.com.au
