Explore
Blanket Bay Campground
Blanket Bay Campground is the perfect family escape. Located on the eastern coast of Cape Otway, campers and day visitors can make the most of the seaside location and wander inland to look for koalas.
The often calm waters off the ever-so-popular Blanket Bay Campground are protected by an intertidal reef. This small beach is sheltered by the high hills of Cape Otway. Explore the unique underwater life found within these intertidal rockpools. Bring a snorkel to get a better glimpse!
Katabanook Walk leads inland from the campground. The short walk meanders along a fern-laden trail shaded by tall, twisted Manna Gum trees.
Blanket Bay also serves as an overnight stop along the iconic Great Ocean Walk. If prepared properly, you may choose to follow the trail west to Parker Hill. Or if you are an experienced walker and can car shuttle, continue on to Cape Otway Lightstation.
Blanket Bay Campground is very popular during school holidays and requires advanced bookings and payments year-round. Peak season release dates apply for summer, Labour Day long weekend and Easter long weekend.
Blanket Bay Campground contains 22 unpowered campsites, each accommodating up to six people. All campsites are suitable for tents, and some sites cater to camper trailers, campervans or small recreational vehicles. Please note that Blanket Bay Campground is unsuitable for caravans. Visitors are advised to supply their own water and firewood.
Things to do
Fishing
Great Ocean Walk
Surfing
Cape Otway and Apollo Bay
How to get there
Blanket Bay Campground
When you're there
Need to know
Blanket Bay Campground
Accessibility
The campsites closest to the beach are the most accessible as they are on flat ground and close to toilet facilities and taps. There is also vehicle parking very close to these campsites on level ground with a compacted gravel surface.
The most accessible sites are sites 12, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20 and 21. All of these are within 40 metres of the toilets. There are ocean views from some of these sites.
Access to the beach from the campsites is via two paths with many steps. Best access to the beach for wheelchairs and strollers is via the boat ramp located within walking distance from the campground. There is a separate designated camping area at Blanket Bay for users of the Great Ocean Walk. These sites are not accessible for wheelchairs.
There are four standard toilet cubicles and a unisex accessible toilet.They can be accessed by the campground service road or by a level compacted gravel path leading from some of the campsites.
The entrance to the toilet cubicle is approximately 870mm wide with an inward swinging door. The door has a turnstile locking mechanism. There is ample room for manoeuvrability in the cubicle and there are two types of toilet roll dispensers. Railing is on the left side of the cubicle wall and extends behind the toilet. The cubicle also has a bench seat.
The wash basin is found outside the toilet cubicles and is accessible for wheelchairs. It has a knob handle cold water tap and a stainless steel mirror. There is no mains power in this toilet or the campground. Water for camp use can be accessed from a tap on the rainwater tank near the vanity basin. There is another tap within the campground, however it is less accessible than this one.
Be prepared and stay safe
- Fires are only permitted in the shared fireplaces provided.
- Fuel stoves or gas barbecues are preferred for cooking.
- Bring your own drinking water and firewood.
- Firewood collection is not permitted in national parks.
- Come and enjoy the peace and quiet – please, no generators.
Blanket Bay Campground is in the Great Otway National Park 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.
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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.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 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)
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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
Aire River West Campground
Johanna Beach Campground
