Explore
Aire River West Campground
Nestled in the shadow of the Otway Ranges, enjoy a stay by the heritage-listed Aire River at Aire River West Campground.
The large, flat and open Aire River West Campground is located on the western banks of the river and perfect for larger groups and caravans. On the eastern banks, Aire River East Campground is smaller, but more protected from the elements.
Advanced bookings and payment at Aire River West are required year-round. Aire River West Campground has 40 campsites on offer. All campsites accommodate a maximum of six people and are also unpowered. Campsites 1-5, 17-23, 27-40 are suitable for large caravans. Campsites 7-11 can only cater to smaller caravans and sites 12-16 are only suitable for tents. All other sites are suitable for tents, camper trailers, campervans and recreational vehicles.
A small gravel ramp on the western banks of the river is perfect for launching a canoe or kayak. Explore upstream and discover the wetlands and floodplains birdlife including swans, ducks, egrets, swamphens and the endangered Hooded Plover on Glenaire Beach.
Fishing is also exceptional here. Choose between the calm estuary waters of Aire River or the wild ocean of Glenaire Beach. Catch bream, salmon, mullet, trout, mulloway and snapper too.
Glenaire Beach is a 15-minute walk away. This unpatrolled and rugged beach is best for experienced surfers. A little further to west, Johanna Beach offers similar rewards.
Things to do
Canoeing and Kayaking
Great Ocean Walk
Fishing
How to get there
Aire River West Campground
When you're there
Need to know
Aire River West Campground
Accessibility
The day visitor area is located on the west side of Aire River adjacent to the campground. There is also a day visitor area on the east side of the river but there are no accessible toilets on this side.
There is designated parking on a level compacted gravel surface very close to the picnic area. There are no designated disabled parking bays.
The picnic area has a number of picnic tables and a rotunda scattered on a flat grassed area adjacent to the camping ground. These have bench seats on two sides and sufficient underneath space at the ends for wheelchairs or strollers. There are also some fireplaces with barbecue hotplates.
The day visitor area is close to the west bank of the Aire River. The river can be crossed in wheelchairs and strollers via the vehicle bridge. The ocean beach is not accessible by vehicle or by wheelchair.
There is a unisex accessible toilet and standard toilet cubicles that service both the campground and the day visitor area. A compacted gravel path of approximately 100 metres leads from the day visitor area to the toilets. This path is on reasonably level ground except for the last 25 metres, which has a slope of approximately 1:14. Drop off parking is available within 30 metres of the toilets if required.
Be prepared and stay safe
- No solid fuel fires permitted.
- Fuel stoves or gas barbecues are preferred for cooking.
- Bring your own drinking water.
- Come and enjoy the peace and quiet – please, no generators.
Aire River West Campground is prone to regular flooding. Please check for any change of conditions before you depart for alerts and updates.
Great Otway National Park is in the South West fire district. Bushfires can occur during the warmer months. It is your responsibility to check current and forecast weather conditions. Campfires cannot be lit on days of Total Fire Ban, however gas cookers can be used for preparing food.
Check the Fire Danger Rating and for days of Total Fire Ban at emergency.vic.gov.au, on the Vic Emergency App or call the Vic Emergency Hotline 1800 226 226.
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 River West Campground (Aire River Heritage River, Great Otway National Park)
Aire West - Campground flooding - Sites impacted
- Sites 17 to 40 at Aire River West campground are impacted by high water.
- These sites have been impacted by riverine flooding due to a closed river mouth.
- Even if, or when the river mouth opens, these sites may take some time to dry out.
- Sites 1 to 16 at Aire West, Aire East and the GOW hike in camp site are unaffected.
Attachments: Aire West 16 JAN 2026 (1,029KB)
-
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.Great Otway National Park sites closed due to flash flooding event
Severe thunderstorms and flash flooding has caused significant damage across parts of the eastern Great Otway National Park.For public safety, the following areas are closed until further notice while assessments and clean-up works are undertaken:Visitors are advised NOT to visit any sites within the Great Otway National Park between Aireys Inlet and Kennett River while assessments and recovery works continue.Closures included but are not limited to :
Erskine falls (open only to top lookout)
Roads & TracksWye RdCurtis TrackGodfrey TrackJamieson Track
Walking tracks
St George
Phantom falls
Lemonade ck
Kalimna
Henderson
Sheoak FallsSheoak picnic ground walking Nature LoopCumberland
Cumberland Garvey Link
Kalimna Garvey Link
Castle RockCora LynnErskine Falls Walking TrackWon WondahMany roads, tracks and visitor facilities are impacted by debris, flooding and unstable conditions.
The Great Ocean Road has been impacted,Always follow safety signage and directions from response crews, and do not enter any closed areas.Thank you for your patience and understanding as works are undertaken to make these popular areas safe to visit again.Great Ocean Walk destination car parking at the Twelve Apostles visitor center during summer & Peak Visitation periods
During the busy peak visitation period at the Twelve Apostles precinct (from summer through to early autumn including school holidays, public holidays, long weekends & busy peak visitation weekends concluding after Chinese New Year / Easter), due to the sheer volume of visitors onsite, a traffic management program is in place to maximize public safety & ensure visitor experience. If you are planning to park your vehicle at the Twelve Apostles before walking the Great Ocean Walk (or sections of it including section 8) during this period, please communicate this information to onsite traffic control staff at the entrance & they will do their best to accommodate your vehicle in the main carpark. This will avoid your car remaining in the overflow carpark area which needs to be cleared and locked each night. Similarly, if you arrive at the Twelve Apostles to park your car at a time when traffic control are not onsite, or setting up, please park your vehicle in the main carpark area. Your assistance is greatly appreciated!Redwoods and Hopetoun Falls Car Parks Full
The Redwoods (Aire Valley Reserve) and Hopetoun Falls carparks within the Great Otway National Park are consistently full over this busy summer period.We advise all our visitors to these iconic areas to remain patient and vigilant for all other users of these areas.Visitors also need to be aware that large log trucks also use the Binns Road as part of their logging operation.Thank you all for your co-operation and please enjoy these and other areas of the Great Otway National Park. -
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. -
Lake Elizabeth Campground (Great Otway National Park)
Lake Elizabeth Campground Upgrades
Lake Elizabeth Campground and the associated campground car park will be closed from: Tuesday 27th January 2026 to Tuesday 31st March 2026. We ask visitors to stay clear of the campground and campground carpark which will have signed closures in place.The closure is for enhancing the camping experience and these renovations have been funded by the Victorian Government’s Victoria’s Great Outdoors program. Victoria’s Great Outdoors is a $106.6 million investment by the Victorian Government into better campgrounds, walking trails, 4WD tracks and visitor facilities across Victoria’s parks and state forests.All other areas at Lake Elizabeth will remain open, including ablutions, day use areas, walks to and around the lake.Lake Elizabeth Campground Upgrade Information
Lake Elizabeth Campground and the associated campground car park will be closed from: Tuesday 27th January 2026 to Tuesday 31st March 2026. We ask visitors to stay clear of the campground and campground carpark which will have signed closures in place.As you plan for your holidays please do not attempt to book the Lake Elizabeth campground from Tuesday 27th January - Tuesday 31st March 2026.The closure is for enhancing the camping experience and these renovations have been funded by the Victorian Government’s Victoria’s Great Outdoors program. Victoria’s Great Outdoors is a $106.6 million investment by the Victorian Government into better campgrounds, walking trails, 4WD tracks and visitor facilities across Victoria’s parks and state forests.All other areas at Lake Elizabeth will remain open, including ablutions, day use areas, walk to and around the lake. -
Aire Crossing Campground (Aire River Heritage River, Great Otway National Park)
Aire Crossing - CLOSED
Due to EXTREME fire danger, access to Aire Crossing and the campsite is CLOSED.Do not enter CLOSED areas of National Parks.National Park Regulations Apply -
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. -
Notices Affecting Multiple Parks
Extreme Fire Danger and Total Fire Bans
Important camping and visitor information for- Great Otway National Park
- Great Ocean Walk
- Port Campbell National Park and
- Bay of Islands Coastal Park
• National Parks and State Forests CLOSE during a CATASTROPHIC fire danger rating• NO FIRES can not be lit in the open during Total Fire Bans. No fires are permited along or at Great Ocean Walk campsites.• Caution and planning should be applied during an EXTREME fire Danger Rating.• Camping is only permitted in designated campgrounds in the Great Otway National Park with a valid permit booking. This includes the Great Ocean Walk.• Camping or sleeping in vehicles is not permitted in car parks, lookouts or other visitation sites outside of designated campgrounds in any national park.• There are no campgrounds in Port Campbell National Park or Bay of Islands Coastal Park; overnight stays are not permitted in these parks. National Park Regulations apply.• Be prepared for campgrounds, roads and tracks to close at short notice if conditions change.• Have a clear plan for what you will do if conditions change suddenly, including how you will leave early and where you will go.• Do not light any campfires or solid fuel barbecues during a Total Fire Ban.• Stay informed via official emergency and park information channels and follow all instructions from rangers and emergency services.
Similar experiences
Best Alternatives to Popular Victorian Campgrounds
Bear Gully Campground
Aire River East Campground
Blanket Bay Campground
