Anglesea and Aireys Inlet

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Anglesea and Aireys Inlet

Great Otway National Park

Anglesea and Aireys Inlet are framed by the natural splendor of the Great Otway National Park. Experience stunning coastal vistas, lush valleys, wild oceans, breathtaking coastal cliffs, waterfalls and tall eucalypt forest. Surf the iconic swells of Bells Beach, discover the delicate kaleidoscope of wildflowers in the heathlands of Anglesea, or snorkel and dive off Point Addis.

Spring wildflowers are spectacular in the heathlands around Anglesea which are the richest and most diverse vegetation community in Victoria. Discover them for yourself as the heathland erupts in springtime in vibrant colour.

Moggs Creek is one of the many beautiful places in the park. Picnic, bushwalk, and explore the surrounds on Ocean View Track and its magnificent vista over the Great Ocean Road, Fairhaven and the ocean. Distillery Creek Picnic Area is another great picnic area with wood barbecues, tables, flushing toilets and linked nature walks and cycle trail. Shared pathways provide many opportunities for walking and cycling in this section of Great Otway National Park.

Try the more challenging walk or cycle offered on the 12km shared trail, Currawong Falls Circuit which starts from the Distillery Creek Picnic Area. The small and delicate Currawong Falls do not flow often and are at their best after heavy rain.

The Ironbark Basin to Anglesea section of the Surf Coast Walk is your chance to immerse yourself in nature. Pass by spectacular cliff tops, wind-swept heathlands and views of Anglesea and learn about the Traditional Owners and their ongoing and active connection to Country as you explore the Yirripa Yan (Wadawurrung Cultural Walk) and Ironbark Basin Circuit.

Surfers frequent a variety of beaches along this coastline including the world-famous Bells Beach and Addiscot Beach.

Point Addis Marine National Park is located in a spectacularly scenic area with wide sandy beaches. A staggering diversity of marine life live in the park’s coast and outer reefs. In calm weather and at low tide visitors can explore rock pools, dive and snorkel to explore the magnificent underwater world. Snorkelling is good at Jarosite and Ingoldsby Reef. Addiscot Beach is a great location for rock pooling at low tide.

Hammonds Campground is located 12km inland from Aireys Inlet and is the ideal location for wildlife viewing and relaxation.

As beaches and coasts are natural environments, you may encounter hazards. Follow our water safety advice to make sure your day out at Anglesea and Aireys Inlet is a safe and enjoyable one.

Changes to Great Ocean Road parks and campsites

From 1 July 2026, some parks and campsites along the Great Ocean Road will be managed by the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority (GORCAPA). Visit the GORCAPA website to see which parks GORCAPA manage.

This change is part of the transition of land management responsibilities to GORCAPA, helping support a dedicated and localised approach to managing the Great Ocean Road coast and parks.

Things to do

 
A path leads through tents at Hammond Road Campground Great Otway National Park

Hammonds Campground

Hammonds Campground is located 12km inland from Aireys Inlet in a natural bush setting. Relax at camp and enjoy the company of kangaroos and other native wildlife or explore one of the many walking and bike riding trails in the area.
A view of the beach from the lookout on Moggs Creek Circuit Track.

Moggs Creek

Moggs Creek is one of the many beautiful places in the park to picnic. After enjoying a picnic, stretch your legs on the Moggs Creek Circuit (distance: 1.8km, 30 mins), an interesting walk that follows the creek down through the valley and then climbs to a vantage point over the creeks fern-lined banks before returning to the picnic area.
A family walks up a set of wooden stairs on the Surf Coast Walk.

Surf Coast Walk

The 44km Surf Coast Walk is an adventure that boasts total immersion in nature and the sanctuary of coastal villages within easy reach along the way.

How to get there

Anglesea and Aireys Inlet

Nestled approximately 1.5 hours from Melbourne, Anglesea and Aireys Inlet sit on the eastern edges of Great Otway National Park. If you are travelling from Melbourne, follow the Princes Freeway towards Geelong. At Waurn Ponds, take Anglesea Road which merges into the iconic Great Ocean Road.

A bus service runs between Geelong, Lorne and Apollo Bay, connecting with regional train services train services to Melbourne. Visit the PTV website for more information on buses and trains that connect to this part of Great Otway National Park.

When to go

Surf, explore rockpools or snorkel at one of the many popular beaches in this Point Addis area of the Great Ocean Road.

Need to know

Anglesea and Aireys Inlet

Change of Conditions

Nature being nature, sometimes conditions can change at short notice. It’s a good idea to check this page ahead of your visit for any updates.

  • Aire River West Campground (Aire River Heritage River, Great Otway National Park GORCAPA)

    Aire West Campground – Partial Seasonal Closure

    Visitors are advised that sites 17–40 at Aire West Campground in Great Otway National Park are temporarily closed from 29 May to 25 September 2026 due to seasonal conditions.

    What to expect:
    Sites 17–40 are closed and unavailable for camping or vehicle access during this period
    Remaining sites may still be accessible, subject to conditions

    Important information:
    The closure period may be extended if conditions remain too wet to safely support camping and vehicle access
    Visitors are asked to follow any on-site signage and avoid closed areas to prevent damage to the campground and ensure safety.
    The Great Ocean Walk hike in camp site is not impacted.
    Entering into or camping within closed areas is subject to National Park regulations

    We appreciate your cooperation in helping protect the park during these conditions.

  • Aire River East Campground (Great Otway National Park GORCAPA, Aire River Heritage River)

    Aire East Campground – Seasonal Closure

    Aire East Campground in Great Otway National Park will be closed from 29 May to 25 September 2026 as part of the annual seasonal winter closure.

    This closure is necessary to protect the campground and access tracks during periods of wet weather, when conditions are highly susceptible to damage from vehicle use and camping activity.

    What to expect:
    No visitor or vehicle access to the campground during the closure period.
    Campground and toilet facilities will be unavailable.

    Important information:
    The closure period may be extended if conditions remain too wet to safely support vehicle access and camping.
    Visitors are encouraged to plan ahead and consider alternative campgrounds.
    Entering into or camping within closed areas is subject to National Park regulations

    We appreciate your cooperation in helping protect the park environment during this time.

  • Ironbark Basin Nature Trail (Great Otway National Park GORCAPA)

    Surf Coast walk/ Ironbark Nature trail closure

    The Ironbark Nature trail loop is undergoing storm damage repairs.  It will be closed for the duration of the works. The section of the Surf Coast Walk between Ironbark carpark and Point Addis stairs will be closed also. 

  • Notices Affecting Multiple Sites

    Great Otway Natonal Park - flood damge impact

    Severe thunderstorms and flash flooding on 16 January 2026 caused significant damage across parts of the eastern Great Otway National Park.
    Recovery works are ongoing. 

    We are pleased to advise that some areas have now reopened, while others remain closed to ensure public safety during assessment and repair work.

    The following areas are now open to visitors:
    • Moggs Creek Picnic Area
    • Distillery Creek Picnic Area
    • Ocean Track
    • Castle Rock
    • Sheoak Falls to Swallow Cave Track

    Parks Victoria has reopened sections of the Kalimna Falls Walking Trail, providing:

    • Access from Sheoak Picnic Ground
    • Walking access to Lower Kalimna Falls
    • Return via the same route or continuing through to Garvey Track
    ✅ Open sections are marked in green on park signage/maps
    ❌ Closed sections remain in red and must not be entered
    Visitors should remain on marked open tracks and follow all onsite signage.


    ⚠️ Important Visitor Advice
    • Always follow posted signage and staff directions
    • Stay within reopened (green-marked) track sections
    • Do not enter closed areas under any circumstances
    • Conditions may change without notice

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