Explore
Big Hill Campground
Unwind in nature after a day of mountain biking or four-wheel driving. Relax at camp and enjoy the company of native wildlife.
Set in an open, easily accessible grassy area surrounded by tall forest, Bill Hill Campground is ideally positioned for mountain biking, four-wheel driving or relaxing in nature. Keep an eye out around the campground for brightly coloured King Parrots and Crimson Rosellas, and if you’re lucky you may even see a koala.
The campground offers 13 campsites, each accommodating up to six people. Sites 1-7 are suitable for tents only, while sites 8-13 cater for camper trailers and caravans. All campsites are unpowered.
Campground facilities include non-flush toilets, shared fireplaces and shared low tables/seats. Remember to bring your own firewood to protect the surrounding wildlife habitat.
Advanced bookings and payment are required year-round.
Things To Do
Erskine Falls
Erskine Falls are at the end of Erskine Falls Road 10km north west of Lorne. There is a viewing point above the falls and a walking track, steep in places, leads to the base of the falls. The falls cascade over one of the highest drops in the Otways.
Sheoak Falls
The Sheoak Falls Walk weaves its way from the coastal woodland at the mouth of the Sheoak Creek and through wet forest to the hidden cascades of Sheoak Falls.
Victoria's Iconic 4WD Adventures
With Victoria's Iconic 4WD Adventures, you can experience six of the very best four wheel drive touring routes, with tracks for everyone from the experienced driver to the relative novice.
Lorne
The coastal town of Lorne is where the bush meets the beach. Expect white sandy beaches, clifftops and incredible coastal vistas, numerous waterfall walks and picnic areas fringed by lush fern gullies.
How to get there
Big Hill Campground
Big Hill Campground is located near the intersection of Big Hill Track and Lorne-Deans Marsh Road, Benwerrin.
Sites
When you're there
While the campground caters for self-contained comfort, you should bring your own drinking water and firewood, and take all rubbish home with you.
Fuel stoves or gas barbecues are preferred for cooking.
Need to know
Big Hill Campground
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.
Be prepared and stay safe
Big Hill Campground is in the Great Otway National Park in the Central 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.
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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.Temporary night closures of sections of the Great Otway National Park
Between Monday 17th February 2025 and Friday 4th April 2025, rolling closures park closures will occur between dusk and dawn Great Otway National Park to enable staff to safely undertake park conservation programs. For your safety and for safety of park staff and contractors, please adhere to park closure signage.Visitor sites that may be impacted by temporary closures include:Surf Coast Walk between Southside and AngleseaIronbark BasinPoint AddisEumeralla Area - including all mountain bike tracksAnglesea HeathOld rifle range between Cecil and Woodland TracksDistillery CreekMoggs CreekOther areas that may be impacted by temporary closures include:Carlisle Heath, Kennedys Creek and Chapple Vale areasParks Closures will only occur at night and for short periods of time. Closures will be signposted, supervised and patrolled by Parks Victoria staff and Authorised Officers.For further information please email: westregiondcp@parks.vic.gov.auGreat 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 VictoriaCaring for Country, Connecting PeopleAccess to The Redwoods along Binns Road from the Great Ocean Road closed
The Colac Otway Shire has announced that Binns Road access from the Great Ocean Road (southern end) will be closed for two weeks, from the 18th March, to fix a landslip.Access from this side of the road will prevent access to the Aire Valley (Redwoods) and Hopetoun Falls within the Great Otway National Park.Binns Road will remain open from the Beech Forest (northern end) which will allow access to visitor sites including Aire Valley (Redwoods), Hopetoun Falls and Beauchamp Falls. -
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. -
Aire River West Campground (Great Otway National Park, Aire River Heritage River)
Aire River West campground - Sites 24 - 40 - CLOSED
- Aire River West Camp ground - camp sites CLOSED
- Sites 24 to 40 at the Aire West Campground are CLOSED due to potential for flooding.
- Due to ongoing river mouth closures these sites are prone to inundation and not suitable for camping.
- Sites will require time to dry out once any river opening occurs.
- Sites 24 to 40 are advised as closed until at least 30 April 2025
- Sites 1 -23 are not impacted > at this point.
- The Great Ocean Walk hike in camp sites are not impacted.
- Closed areas can not be booked nor camped in.
- National Park Regulations apply.
- Flood water can be hazardous.
- Visitors and campers should avoid flood water.
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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 Crossing Campground (Great Otway National Park, Aire River Heritage River)
Aire Crossing Campground
- Camping: Aire Crossing Campground has five (5) unbooked campsites, available on a first-come, first-served basis. Camping outside these designated sites—including in the car park or along the Aire River—is strictly prohibited.
- Campfires: Not permitted at any time.
- Access: The campground is accessible via Aire Crossing Track. A 4WD is recommended.
- Halls Ridge Track (4WD only) is seasonally closed and frequently inaccessible outside these periods. Use is not advised.
- Vehicle Recovery: If your vehicle becomes stranded, retrieval must be arranged privately at your own cost.
- Fire Danger > South West Fire District Closures:
- The campground may close on Extreme Fire Danger Rating days.
- It will be closed on Catastrophic Fire Danger Rating days.
- Weather & Track Conditions: Conditions can change rapidly due to wind and rain, leading to potential track closures.
- Tree Hazards: Trees and branches may fall at any time, even in calm weather. Please be aware of the risk.
- Phone Signal: No mobile reception is available at Aire Crossing.
- Regulations & Enforcement:
- National Park Regulations apply.
- The area is regularly patrolled by Parks Victoria Authorised Officers, Rangers, Forest Fire Management Victoria, and the Conservation Regulator.
Similar experiences
Allenvale Campground
Nestled on the banks of St George River just beyond the outskirts of Lorne, Allenvale Campground is perfectly positioned to explore the coast and the bush. This is a walk-in camping area, although it's only a short walk to the campground (approximately 230 meters).
Jamieson Creek Campground
Set among coastal woodland and tall eucalypts, a short distance from Wye River, Jamieson Creek Campground is perfectly positioned to explore 4WD trails, Jamieson Creek walking track and nearby Cumberland River and Lorne trailheads. Enjoy panoramic views just meters from the campground looking out over the ocean and surrounding landscapes.
Boreang Campground
There are many locations for camping in the central region of the Grampians National Park including, Smiths Mill Campground, Borough Huts Campground, Boreang Campground and Jimmy Creek.