Explore
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.
Set among dry forest and woodland, Hammonds Campground is an ideal location for wildlife viewing and relaxation. Kangaroos and native birds frequent the area, and if you’re lucky you may even see a koala. Nearby Distillery Creek Day Visitor Area has a range of walks and shared trails for those looking for recreational activities.
The campground offers 16 campsites, each accommodating up to six people. Sites 1-4 provide direct vehicle access and are suitable for camper trailers and caravans. Sites 5-16 are suitable for tents only with a parking area situated close by. 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
Anglesea and Aireys Inlet
Discover stunning coastal vistas, quaint gorges, waterfalls and tall eucalypt forest. Surf the iconic swells of Bells Beach, walk and birdwatch among the flowering heath at Anglesea and snorkel or dive off Point Addis.
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.
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.
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.
How to get there
Hammonds Campground
Hammonds Campground is located off Hammonds Road, 12km inland from Aireys Inlet.
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
Hammonds 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
Hammonds 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.Jarosite Headlands Beach Closure
Safety Notice: Jarosite Headlands Beach Closure
Due to recent cliff falls, the beach at the base of Jarosite Headlands is closed to the public.A large amount of rock and debris is still unstable, and further collapses may occur. For your safety, please do not attempt to enter the closed area.Access to Addiscott Beach and Southside Beach remains open. Please consult the map below for the designated closed area.We will provide an update when the area is safe to reopen.
Event = Great Ocean Walk - Saturday, 25 October 2025
NOTICE TO PARK VISITORSA permitted trail running event will be operating on the Great Ocean Walk trail system on Saturday, 25 October 2025.Event: Great Ocean Trail UltraDate: Saturday, 25 October 2025Time: 5:00 AM - 1:00 AM (20 hours)Route: Apollo Bay to Princetown Recreation Reserve via Great Ocean WalkParticipants: Up to 400 registered runners (100km and 45km events)________________________________________AFFECTED AREAS AND TIMESMorning Activity (Higher Impact Period)• Apollo Bay vicinity: 4:30 AM - 5:30 AM• Blanket Bay Day Use Area: 7:00 AM - 8:30 AM• Cape Otway Lightstation Car Park: 8:30 AM - 9:00 AM• Aire River West Campground: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AMPeak Activity Period• Castle Cove Lookout: 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM• Johanna Beach Day Use Area: 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM (includes 45km event start)• Parker Access Track/Great Ocean Road: 11:30 AM - 9:00 PMEvening Activity• Princetown Recreation Reserve: 1:00 PM - 11:00 PM (finish line area)• GOW Lookout Car Park (near 12 Apostles): 1:30 PM - midnight________________________________________WHAT TO EXPECTFor Great Ocean Walk Users:• The Great Ocean Walk remains fully open to public use• You may encounter trail runners throughout the day• Participants are required to give way to walkers and be courteous• Event marshals positioned at key locations to assistFacility Access:• All public toilets and facilities remain available• Car parks accessible (brief periods of increased activity expected)• Campground facilities protected - event routes bypass overnight camping areas• Walk-in campsites not affected by event operationsTraffic Considerations:• Minimal road impact - event follows walking trails• Brief activity at Great Ocean Road crossings with marshal supervision• "Event in Progress" signage displayed at key locations________________________________________ENVIRONMENTAL MEASURESParks Victoria confirms the following protective measures are in place:• Mandatory compliance with cinnamon fungus prevention protocols• Leave No Trace principles enforced for all participants• Waste management systems - all event waste removed from parks• Professional medical support and emergency response procedures• Regular monitoring by experienced event management team________________________________________WEATHER AND CONDITIONSThis event is subject to cancellation or modification due to:• South West District Fire danger ratings (Extreme or Catastrophic conditions)• Severe weather warnings• Track closure requirements• Emergency service directionEvent organisers monitor conditions closely and will cancel if necessary to ensure public and participant safety.________________________________________FOR MORE INFORMATIONParks Victoria Information Centre:📞 13 1963Great Ocean Road Coast & Parks Authority (GORCAPA):📞 1300 736 533Event Information:• Website: www.greatoceanultra.comEmergency Services: 000________________________________________This notice will remain in effect until Monday, 27 October 2025Parks Victoria acknowledges the Eastern Maar People as Traditional Owners of these lands and waters and recognises their ongoing connection to Country. -
Great Otway National Park
Big Hill Campground Temporarily Closed
Due to upgrade works the Big Hill Campground will be closed to visitors until October 1st 2025. Works are being undertaken to improve camp pad surfaces and to establish grass cover in several areas of the campground. The campground will be closed while these works are completed and the surfaces are establishing to prevent damage to the new surfaces to improve the future camping experience at this site.Severe Weather Alert - 7 & 8 SEP 2025
A severe weather system is forecast to impact the region, with damaging winds, heavy rain, and possible flooding expected in- Great Otway National Park > Great Ocean Walk,
- Port Campbell National Park, and
- Bay of Islands Coastal Park
from Sunday night 07 SEP through Monday morning 08 SEP 2025Summary of conditions- Damaging wind gusts: Northerly winds are forecast to reach 80–100 km/h across Otways, western ranges, and coastal areas, with up to 120 km/h possible on exposed peaks.
- Heavy rainfall: Patchy heavy rain is expected Sunday night and Monday, with rainfall totals of 20–40 mm possible, and locally up to 50–70 mm in northeast ranges; most areas should expect 5–15 mm.
- Thunderstorm risk: Localised severe thunderstorms are possible, with heavy rain and very strong wind gusts.
Public safety information- Walking tracks and visitor sites may be slippery, flooded, and hazardous due to these conditions.
- Fallen trees, debris, and flash flooding are possible—please heed all warning signs and detours in park areas.
- Driving and vehicle access: Exercise extreme caution on park roads, especially in forested and coastal sections, and avoid creek/river crossings.
- Camp only in booked campsites, not in vehicles or under heavy tree canopy.
What visitors should doCheck the latest conditions, and know your environment and limitationsReport tress down and damage, when safe to do so, on 131963. -
Aire River West Campground (Great Otway National Park, Aire River Heritage River)
Seasonal Partial Closure Notification – Aire West Campground
Closure Dates: 1 June – 30 September 2025Due to wet and muddy ground conditions during the cooler months, Sites 17 to 40 at Aire West Campground will be closed from 1 June to 30 September 2025. Extended closure may be required to ensure conditions are suitable for opening.Sites 1 to 16 will remain open, subject to suitable dry conditions. Campers are advised to check the latest updates before travelling.Note: The Great Ocean Walk hike-in campground at Aire West is not affected and remains open year-round.These closures help protect campground surfaces and ensure safe, comfortable camping experiences. Camping in closed areas is not permitted and is subject to National Park Regulations 2024.We thank you for your cooperation and commitment to caring for the park. -
Aire River East Campground (Aire River Heritage River, Great Otway National Park)
Seasonal Closure Notification – Aire East Campground
Closure Dates: 1 June – 30 October 2025Aire East Campground will be fully closed over the winter period and into early spring, due to consistently wet ground conditions. The closure is in place to ensure visitor safety, comfort, and to prevent damage to the campground’s grassed surfaces.This closure is in line with Parks Victoria’s commitment to sustainable park management and will remain in effect until 30 October 2025.Camping in closed areas is not permitted under the National Park Regulations 2024.We appreciate your understanding and encourage you to explore alternative camping locations in the region during this time.Closure may be extended if the campground has not dried out. -
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. -
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.
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