Anglesea and Aireys Inlet

Anglesea and Aireys Inlet

Anglesea and Aireys Inlet

    This area has additional visitor advice This area has reported issues This area is closed

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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 Koori 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.
    Anglesea and Aireys Inlet

    When you're there

    Anglesea and Aireys Inlet are nestled on the eastern edges of Great Otway National Park. Among stunning coastal vistas, heathland and tall eucalypt forests brimming with koalas and native birds, there is so much to explore on land and in the water. Download the Anglesea and Aireys Inlet visitor guide for more information about 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

    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.

    The Colac Otway Shire and Surf Coast Shire each have an all-terrain wheelchair, called a Trailrider, that is available for park visitors with mobility difficulties. The chairs can be booked with the respective shires.

    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.

    • Notices Affecting Multiple Parks

      Garvey Track Closed until further notice.

      Garvey track will remain closed until further notice. Major road works are due to occur when conditions are suitable. 

      Temporary Dog Exclusion Zone now in place at Red Rocks Beach

      For protection of Hooded Plovers, a temporary dog exclusion zone has been established at Red Rocks Beach. Dogs are not permitted in or around exclusion zones when established.  Zones will be identified by signage when a Hooded Plover is nesting, until the chick has fledged. 

    • Cora Lynn Campground (Great Otway National Park)

      Cora Lynn Campground Closure

      This campground is closed until further notice due to hazardous trees.

    • Kalimna Falls Walk (Great Otway National Park)

      Upper Kalimna Walking Trail Closed

      Walking trail to Upper Kalimna Falls closed until further notice due to storm damage. Lower Falls remain open.

    • Kalimna Tramline Link Walk (Great Otway National Park)

      Kalimna Tramline Trail Closed

      This walking track 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.

    • Sharps Campground (Great Otway National Park)

      Sharps Campground Permanently Closed

      Due to environmental and safety risks, Sharps campground will be permanently closed from Thursday 22nd December 2022.

      For more information please see attached fact sheet.

      Attachments: Sharps Campground closure Fact sheet (200KB)

    • Great Otway National Park

      Trail closures due to severe weather damage.

      • St George River Walk is closed between Allenvale Campground and Cherry Tree Creek
      • Cumberland River Walking Trail is closed

      Lifejackets Required For Rock Fishers from March 1, 2022

      A two-year trial of new laws that require rock fishers to wear a lifejacket at high-risk locations will commence on 1 March 2022.
       
      For Great Otway National Park this includes:
      • Artillery Rocks, west of Lorne
      • The rock platform opposite Sheoak Falls, south of Lorne
      This factsheet includes maps of the affected areas.
       
      Fines apply if you don’t wear a lifejacket at these sites.
       
      To find out more, visit Victorian Fisheries Authority 

    • Notices Affecting Multiple Sites

      Red Rocks Beach - steep beach drop-off at lower access to eastern beach stairs.

      Walkers and beach users be aware of changed beach conditions at eastern end of Red Rocks Beach, access with care and caution.  The lower section of stairs currently has a significant steep slope on the beach making access difficult and challenging.

      Temporary dog exclusion zone now in place between Hutt Gully Beach Access and Urquhart Bluff Beach Access

      For protection of Hooded Plovers, a temporary dog exclusion zone has been established between Hut Gully Beach Access and Urquhart Bluff Beach Access. Dogs are not permitted in or around exclusion zones when established.  Zones will be identified by signage when a Hooded Plover is nesting, until the chick has fledged. 

    • 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.

    • 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

    • Sheoak Picnic Area (Great Otway National Park)

      No All-Abilities Toilet at Sheoak Picnic Area

      No all-abilities toilet access at Sheoak Picnic Area. Portable toilets temporarily in use.

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