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.

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.

  • Great Otway National Park

    Colac Tree Road Open, Skinners Track Closed

    Colac Tree Road within the Great Otway National Park will re-open at 5pm on Monday 2nd December with a 40kph restriction.

    Skinners Creek Track, within the Great Otway National Park, will remain closed until further notice. 

    These restrictions will be in place due to fire impacting the area. 

  • Notices Affecting Multiple Sites

    Kalimna Tramline link walk and Upper Kalimna is closed

    The Kalimna Tramline link walk is closed due to damage to a pedestrian bridge. Walkers can still access the Lower Kalimna Waterfall via the Kalimna Falls Walking Track, which starts at Sheoak Picnic Area. Upper Kalimna Falls closed until further notice.


    Large Haulage Trucks Carting Timber Within the Aire Valley

    Visitors to the Great Otway National Park and Otway Forest Park will need to be aware that large Haulage Trucks will be using the Aire Valley area to harvest plantation timber.

    Hopetoun Falls, Aire Valley Reserve (The Redwoods) within the Great Otway National Park and Beauchamp Falls within the Otway Forest Park will be affected.

    Trucks will be using Binns Road, Beauchamp Falls Road and Seaview Ridge Road. Traffic Management signage and speed reductions will be implemented.

    Please take care when driving and visiting these areas.

  • Melba Gully Day Visitor Area (Great Otway National Park)

    Melba Gully - Large bus access

    Melba Gully Walk Track and picnic area is accessible for large coaches. Toilet facilities are available on site

  • Maits Rest Rainforest Walk (Great Otway National Park)

    Maits Rest Carpark- bus access

    Maits Rest Carpark is suitable for small coaster buses only. Large buses or coaches are advised to use Melba Gully walk track near Lavers Hill.

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

    Aire West Campground - Aire River estuary closure

    • The Aire River mouth remains closed. 
    • Parks Victoria local operations are monitoring water levels in the Aire River, Great Otway National Park. 
    • Should the river mouth not open, sites 24 through 40 at the Aire West campground may become inundated.
    • Booked campers will be contacted should this occur.
    • Recent attempts have not been able to maintain an artificial opening.
    • When tides, swell and conditions are safe and suitable, a further attempt will be made.

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