Aire River Heritage River

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Aire River Heritage River

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Aire River Heritage River

Aire River Heritage River

Need to know

Aire River Heritage River

Safety in nature

You can benefit both mind and body when you get outdoors to explore and experience Victoria's natural places. Before you go, take a look at our safety tips and check our changed conditions and closures information for a great visit.

Accessibility

Visiting a park can be more of a challenge for people with disabilities, however, in Victoria there are a wide range of facilities to help people of all abilities enjoy our wonderful parks around the state. Parks Victoria provides a range of a equipment, including all-terrain and beach wheelchairs, facilities, accommodation and accessibility information and programs to help you plan and enjoy your visit to Victoria's parks.

Assistance dogs are welcome in Parks Victoria parks and reserves. Entry requirements apply for parks and reserves that are usually dog prohibited, such as national parks.

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 Crossing Campground (Great Otway National Park, Aire River Heritage River)

    Halls Ridge Tk - CLOSED

    • Halls Ridge Track in the Great Otway National Park is closed.
    • Gates are closed at the southern end and at Aire Crossing camp site.
    • Access to Aire Crossing is only via Aire Crossing Tk.
    • Works are planned to repair hazardous and unsafe bog holes that are impassable to most vehicles, when safe to do so. 

    Aire Crossing Campground

    • Camping: Aire Crossing Campground has five (5) unbooked campsites, available on a first-come, first-served basis. Camping outside these designated sites—including in the car park or along the Aire River—is strictly prohibited.
    • Campfires: Not permitted at any time.
    • Access: The campground is accessible via Aire Crossing Track. A 4WD is recommended.
    • Halls Ridge Track (4WD only) is seasonally closed and frequently inaccessible outside these periods. Use is not advised.
    • Vehicle Recovery: If your vehicle becomes stranded, retrieval must be arranged privately at your own cost.
    • Fire Danger > South West Fire District Closures:
    • The campground may close on Extreme Fire Danger Rating days.
    • It will be closed on Catastrophic Fire Danger Rating days.
    • Weather & Track Conditions: Conditions can change rapidly due to wind and rain, leading to potential track closures.
    • Tree Hazards: Trees and branches may fall at any time, even in calm weather. Please be aware of the risk.
    • Phone Signal: No mobile reception is available at Aire Crossing.
    • Regulations & Enforcement:
    • National Park Regulations apply.
    • The area is regularly patrolled by Parks Victoria Authorised Officers, Rangers, Forest Fire Management Victoria, and the Conservation Regulator.

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

    Aire River West campground - Sites 24 - 40 - CLOSED

    • Aire River West Camp ground - camp sites CLOSED
    • Sites 24  to 40 at  the Aire West Campground are CLOSED due to potential for flooding.
    • Due to ongoing river mouth closures these sites are prone to inundation and not suitable for camping. 
    • Sites will require time to dry out once any river opening occurs.
    • Sites 24 to 40 are advised as closed until at least 30 April 2025
    • Sites 1 -23 are not impacted > at this point.
    • The Great Ocean Walk hike in camp sites are not impacted.
    • Closed areas can not be booked nor camped in.
    • National Park Regulations apply. 
    • Flood water can be hazardous.
    • Visitors and campers should avoid flood water.

  • Notices Affecting Multiple Sites

    Great Ocean Walk - Important Notice

    Parks Victoria is received increasing reports of concerning observations on the Great Ocean Walk .

    This includes use of bikes, horses, unrestrained dogs, campfires and hikers arriving at their pre-booked campsites only to find them already occupied.

    🔹 All hikers must book a campsite before their trip, even though camping is free.
    🔹 Camping without a booking or outside designated areas is not permitted.
    🔹 Campfires are NOT permitted at any Great Ocean Walk hike-in campsite.
    🔹 Only medical certified companion animals are permitted (on lead).
    🔹 The Great Ocean Walk is a walking/hiking trail - not a  long distance horse, trail bike or Mountain bike course.

    National Park Regulations Apply.
     
    Parks Victoria Authorised Officers patrol the Great Ocean Walk.  
    Evidence of a booking must be shown to a Parks Victoria Ranger on request.
     
    To ensure a fair and safe experience for all:
    ✅ Book your campsite before starting your walk.
    ✅ Only camp in designated areas and at your assigned site.
    ✅ Respect fellow hikers by only using the site you have booked.
    ✅ Do not light campfires—use fuel stoves for cooking.
    ✅ Do report observations of concern.

    If you observe:
    🚨 A campfire, bikes, animals other than native ones or hikers occupying an already booked site, please report it immediately (when safe to do so) to Parks Victoria on 131 963.

    ⚠️ Parks Victoria cannot respond to emergency situations involving hikers and campers who have not booked a campsite.

    Thank you for helping us protect the Great Ocean Walk and ensuring a safe, enjoyable experience for everyone.
    For bookings and further information, visit Parks Victoria’s website.

    Parks Victoria
    Caring for Country, Connecting People

    Access to The Redwoods along Binns Road from the Great Ocean Road closed

    The Colac Otway Shire has announced that Binns Road access from the Great Ocean Road (southern end) will be closed for two weeks, from the 18th March, to fix a landslip.

    Access from this side of the road will prevent access to the Aire Valley (Redwoods) and Hopetoun Falls within the Great Otway National Park.

    Binns Road will remain open from the Beech Forest (northern end) which will allow access to visitor sites including Aire Valley (Redwoods), Hopetoun Falls and Beauchamp Falls.


How we keep it special

More people are connecting with Victoria’s natural and cultural landscapes than ever before, which is why Parks Victoria supports healthy and resilient parks for current and future generations.

Parks Victoria is responding to climate change, extreme weather events, human impacts, previous land management practices, invasive species and the changing distribution of plants and animals that is challenging park management and conservation efforts.

Working with Traditional Owners, partners, communities and individuals, Parks Victoria is investing in nature’s future through joint management, projects to enrich visitor experiences and programs to protect habitats and cultural heritage.

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