If you’re dreaming of an immersive Great Ocean Walk adventure, camping along the trail is one of the most rewarding ways to experience this spectacular coastline. Whether you’re walking the full 104 km (including access points) or only completing a section, the Great Ocean Walk campsites offer unforgettable views, peaceful bush settings, and a true connection with nature.
Local Insight from Walk91
This guide is written by the Walk91 team, locals based in Apollo Bay who live and work on the Great Ocean Walk. We support walkers on this trail each walking season and share practical, first-hand knowledge to help you plan safely and confidently.
At Walk91, we specialise in self-guided, pack-free Great Ocean Walk tours, and we also provide camping assistance, including gear shuttles, drinking water, rubbish removal, and end-of-walk transfers. This guide shares local insight into the best campsites on the Great Ocean Walk, with tips only a long-time Apollo Bay operator can give.
If you’re considering camping or mixing camping with accommodation, we’re here to help. Just get in touch anytime.
Camping on the Great Ocean Walk: What You Need to Know
There are seven official hike-in campsites along the Great Ocean Walk, managed by Parks Victoria. These campsites are extremely popular and should be booked well in advance—ideally 2–8 weeks before your trip.
Great Ocean Walk Campground Distances
| Section | Distance |
|---|---|
| Apollo Bay → Elliot Ridge | 10 km |
| Elliot Ridge → Blanket Bay | 12 km |
| Blanket Bay → Cape Otway | 11 km |
| Cape Otway → Aire River | 10 km |
| Aire River → Johanna Beach | 14 km |
| Johanna Beach → Ryans Den | 14 km |
| Ryans Den → Devils Kitchen | 13 km |
| Devils Kitchen → Twelve Apostles | 16 km |
If you’re not camping, your total walking distance becomes approximately 104 km, because you must walk in and out of access points for Great Ocean Walk shuttles.
For more information about hiking via this route, check out our Great Ocean Walk Hiking and Camping Guide.
👉 Prefer not to camp?
Walk91 offers pack-free Great Ocean Walk tours, transporting you from the trail to comfortable local accommodation each night. We can custom-make the perfect trip for you. Just get in touch!
Drive-In vs. Hike-In Campsites: Which Should You Choose?
The Great Ocean Walk includes both:
Hike-In Campsites
✔ No car access
✔ Quiet, peaceful, “hikers-only” atmosphere
✔ Smaller sites designed for light tents
✔ Best for multi-day walkers
✔ Less disturbance (no caravans, generators, or large groups)
Drive-In Campsites
✔ Ideal for families, car campers, or day walkers
✔ Larger sites but busier
✔ You may need to carry gear from your vehicle to the trail
👉 Walk91 Tip: If you want a peaceful night’s sleep, choose the hike-in sites whenever possible.
⭐ The Best Campsites on the Great Ocean Walk
Below is your full guide to each campsite—including insider tips from Walk91’s 20+ years on the trail.
Elliot Ridge Hike-In Campground
1. Elliot Ridge – Hike-In Campsite
The very first campground on the Great Ocean Walk, Elliot Ridge sits deep within tall eucalypt forest. Sheltered and serene, it’s a beautiful introduction to the trail.
Local Tip:
This site can be mosquito-heavy, especially after rain. Bring long sleeves and repellent.
If this is your first time completing this hike, read our guide to Tackling the Great Ocean Walk: Tips for First-Timers.
2. Blanket Bay – Hike-In Campsite
One of the most stunning campsites on the trail, Blanket Bay offers wide ocean views, rugged coastal scenery, and a sheltered grassy campground close to the water.
Great for spotting:
✔ Black wallabies
✔ Koalas
✔ Birdlife
Swimming is possible but not recommended due to remote location and dangerous swells.
Blanket Bay Drive-In Campsite
Located near the 6B decision point on the Great Ocean Walk Map, the drive-in section offers toilets, untreated water, and shelters.
⚠ Be sure you’re in the correct section — hike-in and drive-in sites are close but separately booked.
3. Cape Otway – Hike-In Campsite
Just 600 m from Cape Otway Lightstation, this campground is rich with history and wildlife.
Nearby is the historic Cape Otway Cemetery, where early lighthouse keepers and victims of the 1896 Blanket Bay Disaster are buried.
Expect to see:
✔ Koalas in manna gums
✔ King parrots
✔ Echidnas
Drive-In Option?
No official drive-in campground, but you can park at the Lighthouse car park and walk your gear in.
4. Aire River – Hike-In Campsite
Hidden in the bush above the river, this site offers tranquillity and shelter—perfect if you want a quieter alternative to the car-based camping areas.
The Aire River is part of the Heritage Rivers Act and is one of the most scenic sections of the Great Ocean Walk.
Aire River East & West – Drive-In Campgrounds
Both are beautiful, but Aire River West is our favourite for its river and ocean proximity.
Local History:
This area is the site of a tragic 1846 conflict where between 8–20 members of the Gadubanud people were killed during retaliation attacks from early settlers.
5. Johanna Beach – Hike-In Campsite
Reachable only by walking up a steep hill from the car-based sites, the effort is rewarded with:
✔ Expansive coastal views
✔ Ocean breezes
✔ Peaceful bush setting
Johanna Drive-In Campground
A favourite among families and surfers, this site is perched beside dramatic scenery and rolling green hills.
⚠ The beach is not safe for swimming.
6. Ryans Den – Hike-In Campsite
Often described as one of the most magical campsites on the Great Ocean Walk.
Expect:
✔ Incredible sunsets over the ocean
✔ A remote wilderness feel
✔ Seclusion among tall coastal forest
⚠ Water tanks sometimes run low — bring purification tablets and extra water.
Closest parking is at Wreck Beach, but access from there is steep and remote.
7. Devils Kitchen – Hike-In Campsite
The final campground before reaching the Twelve Apostles.
Expect:
✔ A “loo with a view” (seriously!)
✔ Peaceful ocean outlook
✔ Cool coastal heathland
There is no drive-in access here.
🔥 Campground Rules & Safety Tips
- No fires at hike-in campsites
- Gas stoves only (unless it’s a Total Fire Ban — then no flames at all)
- Check bushfire warnings via Vic Emergency
- No generators, no pets
- Treat all tank water before drinking
- Carry out all rubbish
- Only stay in designated sites & pre-booked pads
For more details, see our:
👉 Guide to Staying Safe on the Great Ocean Walk
Great Ocean Walk FAQs:
A1: Yes. All official Great Ocean Walk hike-in campsites managed by Parks Victoria must be booked in advance. These sites often sell out during weekends, school holidays, and peak hiking seasons, so securing your dates early is strongly recommended.
A2: Each hike-in campground provides basic but reliable facilities, including small tent pads, a three-sided shelter with a table and seating, composting toilets, and untreated rainwater tanks. Water must always be treated before drinking.
A3: Hike-in campsites are accessible only by foot and are designed specifically for Great Ocean Walk hikers seeking quieter, more secluded spots. Drive-in campgrounds—such as Blanket Bay, Aire River, and Johanna—can be accessed by car and offer more space, making them ideal for families, road-trippers, or travellers not completing the full multi-day hike.
A4: Yes. Walk91 offers flexible camping assistance packages, including secure gear transport, drinking water supply, rubbish removal, and end-of-walk shuttle transfers back to Apollo Bay. This allows you to enjoy the trail with a lighter pack and less logistical stress.
A5: The most popular times to camp on the Great Ocean Walk are autumn and spring. March to May and September to November usually offer milder weather, fewer extreme heat days, and beautiful coastal and forest scenery. Summer can be hotter and busier, while winter is cooler and wetter but often quieter on the track.
A6: Campfires are generally not permitted at Great Ocean Walk hike-in campsites, and walkers are expected to use fuel stoves for cooking. Always check the latest Parks Victoria regulations and local fire restrictions before your trip.
Want Camping + Support? Walk91 Can Help.
If you want to camp but still enjoy a supported Great Ocean Walk experience, Walk91 offers two flexible options:
1. Camping Assistance Package
You book your own campsites; we provide:
✔ Private trailer to store your gear
✔ Drinking water refills
✔ Rubbish removal
✔ Luggage transfers
✔ Shuttle return to Apollo Bay
✔ Local support if anything changes
2. 6-Day Great Ocean Walk: 3 Nights Camping + 2 Nights Accommodation
Our most popular hybrid package:
Night 1 – Blanket Bay (hike-in)
Night 2 – Aire River (hike-in)
Night 3 – Johanna (hike-in)
Nights 4–5 – Comfortable local accommodation
The best of both worlds — wilderness, comfort, and flexibility.
Ready to Plan Your Great Ocean Walk Camping Adventure?
Whether you’re camping, staying in accommodation, or mixing both, our local team makes the Great Ocean Walk easy, safe, flexible, and stress-free.
👉 Phone: +61 3 5237 1189
👉 Email: info@walk91.com.au
👉 Self-Guided Tours
👉 Custom Packages
Walk with confidence. Walk with locals.
About the Author
Walk91 is a locally owned Great Ocean Walk operator based in Apollo Bay, Victoria. Our team lives and works on the Great Ocean Road and provides self-guided Great Ocean Walk support throughout the walking season, drawing on first-hand knowledge of trail conditions, logistics, and safety planning.
