Aire River East Campground

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Aire River East Campground

Nestled in the shadow of the Otway Ranges, enjoy a stay by the heritage-listed Aire River at Aire River East Campground.
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This small campground is located in a shady spot on the Aire River and is a great place for kayaking. The best place to launch your kayak is near the bridge. The peaceful estuarine waters are also ideal for canoeing, standup paddle boarding and fishing. A 25-minute walk from the campground, the ocean swells of Glenaire Beach attract experienced surfers looking for the perfect break.

Advanced bookings and payment at Aire River East Campground are required year-round. Aire River East Campground contains 20 grassy campsites. Each campsite accommodates a maximum of six people. Campsites 1-4 are only suitable for smaller tents, while campsites 10-20 can cater to large caravans too. All campsites are unpowered.

Things to do

 
Canoeing

Canoeing and Kayaking

Canoeing and kayaking are great ways to explore beautiful waterways. Enjoy the tranquility and spot wildlife that hikers don’t normally see.
A woman with a large hiking pack takes in the view from Blanket Bay Campground.

Great Ocean Walk

The Great Ocean Walk extends just over 100km between Apollo Bay and the Twelve Apostles near Princetown. The spectacular walk weaves its way through tall forests, coastal heathlands, wild rocky shores, river estuaries and windswept cliff-tops presenting amazing views.
Two friends fish off the back a boat on a misty morning on Lake Eildon.

Fishing

In quiet lakes and gently flowing rivers, in the pounding surf or in the depths beneath your boat – the waters of Victoria’s parks and reserves offer some prize catches.

How to get there

Aire River East Campground

Aire River lies approximately three hours' drive west of Melbourne and is positioned on the western edges of Cape Otway. It can be reached via the Great Ocean Road or via Lavers Hill. Head west on the Princes Highway from Melbourne before joining up with Cape Otway Road and following signs to Apollo Bay. Here, join up with the Great Ocean Road and turn off onto Horden Vale Road to reach Aire River East Campground.

Need to know

Aire River East Campground

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 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.

    Great Ocean Walk Water Tanks Low or Empty

    Due to the recent warm and dry weather, drinking water in the rainwater tanks along the Great Ocean Walk have become low and in some cases empty, such as at the Blanket Bay walk in campsite.

    Due to the remote nature of the campsites, Parks Victoria, DOES NOT guarantee rainwater availability at each campsite.
    Hikers are responsible for their own water requirements. Tank-rainwater, when present, can be treated in several
    ways such as filtering and boiling or adding sterilisation tablets. 

    Further information about the Great Ocean Walk can be found here:  www.greatoceanwalk.com.au
    Plan for a safe, unforgettable experience on the Great Ocean Walk

    Great Ocean Walk @ AIre River

    • The Aire River estuary mouth remains closed.
    • Hikers on approach from the east towards the Aire River hike in campsite will be exposed to high river levels.
    • Knee deep water may be anticipated in parts.
    • Hikers are advised to go around deeper water.
    • The Aire West hike in campground is not impacted.
    • Should water levels become unsafe; a track closure may be needed.
    • If hikers can not negotiate river water they are advised not to proceed west from Cape Otway.
    • The river mouth may open naturally at any time, or can be encouraged to do so when safe and suitable conditions allow. 

    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

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

    Aire River West Camp ground - Sites 24 - 40 - CLOSED

    • Sites 24  to 40 at  the Aire West Campground are CLOSED due to flooding
    • Due to an ongoing river mouth closure these sites are inundated and not suitable for camping. 
    • Sites 1 -23 are not impacted.
    • The Great Ocean Walk hike in camp sites are not impacted.
    • Closed areas can not be booked nor camped in.
    • National Park Regulations apply. 
    • It is anticipated these sites may be next be availed for booked campers from  March 2025.
    • Flood water can be hazardous.
    • Visitors and campers should avoid flood water.

  • 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. 

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

    Aire Crossing Campground - CLOSED

    Temporary Closure of Aire Crossing Campground 12 to 14 February 2025

    Parks Victoria advises that Aire Crossing Campground in the Great Otway National Park will be closed from Wednesday, 12 February 2025, to Friday, 14 February 2025, due to an Extreme Fire Danger Rating declared for the South West Fire District on Thursday, 13 February 2025.

    The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast hot, dry, and windy conditions with a risk of lightning, increasing the likelihood of dangerous fire activity. 

    For public safety, all camping and visitor access to Aire Crossing Campground will be restricted during this period.

    Vehicle access is closed at Halls Ridge Rd and Aire Crossing Track to this site. 

    National Park Regulations Apply 


    During an Extreme Fire Danger Rating fires can spread rapidly and be difficult to control.  Visitors are advised to plan ahead and seek alternative camping locations in lower-risk areas.



  • Cora Lynn Cascades Walk (Great Otway National Park)

    Cora Lynn Cascades Walking Track Closure

    Cora Lynn Cascades walking track is currently closed due to damaged infrastructure. Please note this closure will affect you if you plan to walk from Allenvale through to Erskine falls and vice versa. 

  • 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.

Similar experiences

 
A family camps on the shores of Aire River in the Great Otway National Park

Aire River West Campground

This campground is situated within the Great Otway National Park located on the banks of the Aire River Estuary. This area is home to a magnitude of native and migratory bird species as well as an abundance of fish species making it a great place to go bird watching, fishing, swimming and canoeing.
Setting up tents at Blanket Bay Campground in the Great Otway National Park

Blanket Bay Campground

This campground is situated within the Great Otway National Park just a short stroll from the beach which is accessible via walking tracks. Picturesque views are obtainable only meters from this campsite looking out over the beach and surrounding landscapes.
A couple in their thirties play with their dog at Johanna Beach Campground next to their tent and campervan.

Johanna Beach Campground

Nestled between coastal sand dunes, a lush, grassy hinterland and a prime surf beach, the dog-on-lead friendly Johanna Beach Campground has everything you need for an unforgettable seaside camping experience. Take in the salty ocean vistas, go surfing, fishing or hike a section of the Great Ocean Walk.
A woman enjoys a cup of tea while sat at a picnic table infront of her tent at Bunga Arm Campsite in the Gippsland Lakes.

Bunga Arm

Accessible only by boat, Bunga Arm was formed over many thousands of years when sand, deposited by the sea, built up between the original bay (now Lake Victoria) and the ocean. Approximately 250 metres divides the tranquil waters of Bunga Arm from the pounding surf of Bass Strait - and you can stay at one of the seven boat-based bush campsites located there. If you don’t have your own boat to access Bunga Arm, you can hire one at one of the lakeside towns.
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