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Aire River Heritage River
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Aire River Heritage River
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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.
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Aire River East Campground (Aire River Heritage River, Great Otway National Park)
Seasonal Closure Notification – Aire East Campground
Closure Dates: 1 June – 30 October 2025Aire East Campground will be fully closed over the winter period and into early spring, due to consistently wet ground conditions. The closure is in place to ensure visitor safety, comfort, and to prevent damage to the campground’s grassed surfaces.This closure is in line with Parks Victoria’s commitment to sustainable park management and will remain in effect until 30 October 2025.Camping in closed areas is not permitted under the National Park Regulations 2024.We appreciate your understanding and encourage you to explore alternative camping locations in the region during this time.Closure may be extended if the campground has not dried out. -
Aire River West Campground (Aire River Heritage River, Great Otway National Park)
Aire River West campground - Flood impacts
Aire River West Campground has been impacted by flooding. Sites 17 to 40 are currently not accessible until the 29th for October. Sites 1 to 16 are unaffected at this time. -
Notices Affecting Multiple Sites
Event = Great Ocean Walk - Saturday, 25 October 2025
NOTICE TO PARK VISITORSA permitted trail running event will be operating on the Great Ocean Walk trail system on Saturday, 25 October 2025.Event: Great Ocean Trail UltraDate: Saturday, 25 October 2025Time: 5:00 AM - 1:00 AM (20 hours)Route: Apollo Bay to Princetown Recreation Reserve via Great Ocean WalkParticipants: Up to 400 registered runners (100km and 45km events)________________________________________AFFECTED AREAS AND TIMESMorning Activity (Higher Impact Period)• Apollo Bay vicinity: 4:30 AM - 5:30 AM• Blanket Bay Day Use Area: 7:00 AM - 8:30 AM• Cape Otway Lightstation Car Park: 8:30 AM - 9:00 AM• Aire River West Campground: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AMPeak Activity Period• Castle Cove Lookout: 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM• Johanna Beach Day Use Area: 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM (includes 45km event start)• Parker Access Track/Great Ocean Road: 11:30 AM - 9:00 PMEvening Activity• Princetown Recreation Reserve: 1:00 PM - 11:00 PM (finish line area)• GOW Lookout Car Park (near 12 Apostles): 1:30 PM - midnight________________________________________WHAT TO EXPECTFor Great Ocean Walk Users:• The Great Ocean Walk remains fully open to public use• You may encounter trail runners throughout the day• Participants are required to give way to walkers and be courteous• Event marshals positioned at key locations to assistFacility Access:• All public toilets and facilities remain available• Car parks accessible (brief periods of increased activity expected)• Campground facilities protected - event routes bypass overnight camping areas• Walk-in campsites not affected by event operationsTraffic Considerations:• Minimal road impact - event follows walking trails• Brief activity at Great Ocean Road crossings with marshal supervision• "Event in Progress" signage displayed at key locations________________________________________ENVIRONMENTAL MEASURESParks Victoria confirms the following protective measures are in place:• Mandatory compliance with cinnamon fungus prevention protocols• Leave No Trace principles enforced for all participants• Waste management systems - all event waste removed from parks• Professional medical support and emergency response procedures• Regular monitoring by experienced event management team________________________________________WEATHER AND CONDITIONSThis event is subject to cancellation or modification due to:• South West District Fire danger ratings (Extreme or Catastrophic conditions)• Severe weather warnings• Track closure requirements• Emergency service directionEvent organisers monitor conditions closely and will cancel if necessary to ensure public and participant safety.________________________________________FOR MORE INFORMATIONParks Victoria Information Centre:📞 13 1963Great Ocean Road Coast & Parks Authority (GORCAPA):📞 1300 736 533Event Information:• Website: www.greatoceanultra.comEmergency Services: 000________________________________________This notice will remain in effect until Monday, 27 October 2025Parks Victoria acknowledges the Eastern Maar People as Traditional Owners of these lands and waters and recognises their ongoing connection to Country.Great Ocean Walk Trail Advisory: Echidna & Long-nosed Bandicoot Activity
Important Safety Alert – Great Ocean Walk > Trail ConditionsRecent observations in Great Otway National Park have recorded a significant increase in digging activity by both short-beaked echidnas and long-nosed bandicoots—themselves ecosystem engineers—resulting in numerous diggings and burrows along the entire Great Ocean Walk. These excavations create trip hazards, especially in low-light conditions during dawn and dusk when both species are most active.Safety Recommendations- Remain vigilant for fresh soil disturbances, shallow holes, and uneven ground surfaces.
- Wear sturdy hiking boots with ankle support to reduce injury risk.
- Carry a torch or headlamp for early starts or late finishes to spot potential hazards.
- Echidnas and long-nosed bandicoots are fully protected native wildlife.
- It is illegal to disturb, harass, handle, injure, or remove them—or any part of their habitat—from the wild.
- Do not approach, touch, chase, corner, or attempt to move these animals.
- Keep a respectful distance and allow wildlife to move away naturally.
- If you encounter an injured or orphaned animal, do not intervene directly.
- Echidnas move up to 200 m³ of soil annually through their digging behavior, promoting soil health and biodiversity.
- Long-nosed bandicoots create shallow foraging pits that aid seed germination and nutrient cycling, further enhancing ecosystem function.
Reporting & ContactsFor any wildlife concerns or to report animal incidents or injured wildlife, contactParks Victoria on 131963 or visit theConservation Regulator on 136186 or online at https://www.vic.gov.au/conservation-regulator.Please stay on designated tracks to protect native vegetation and minimize disturbance to habitat.Attachments: GONP Spring 2025 (349KB)
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.