Johanna Beach Campground

A couple sits around their tent playing with their dog, a white van is parked next to their tent, coastal vegetation surrounds them.

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Johanna Beach Campground

Take a break from your Great Ocean Road drive at this low-key campground. Camp between coastal sand dunes in lush, grassy hinterland and a prime surf beach for an unforgettable seaside stay. Take in the ocean vistas, go surfing, fishing or stroll along a section of the Great Ocean Walk. Humpback and Southern Right-whales can be spotted out to sea from July to September.

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An unpatrolled beach, the westerly facing breaks of Johanna Beach are popular for experienced surfers. This is also a good surf fishing beach. Try your hand at catching mullet or salmon for dinner.

Johanna Beach is close to several other park attractions of natural wonder. Melba Gully, the Twelve Apostles, Cape Otway Lightstation and Triplet Falls are all within an hour's drive.

Please note, Johanna Beach is an important nesting area for the threatened Hooded Plover. This small bird nests just above the high tide between August and February. If you are walking along the beach please walk below the high tide mark. To help protect this species and other wildlife, dogs are permitted on lead only.

Johanna Beach Campground has 25 non-powered sites available to book. Amenities are basic with non-flush toilets and no showers.

Things to do

 
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.
A couple follow a walking path through luscious rain-forest ferns.

Melba Gully

Melba Gully has prolific plant growth and is a dense rainforest of Myrtle Beech, Blackwood and Tree-ferns, with an understorey of low ferns and mosses. Perhaps the most unusual inhabitants of the area are the glow worms, which can be seen at night along the walking tracks.
A man in a red wetsuit and a women with the top half of her wetsuit undone follow two men in to the surf on the Morning Peninsula.

Surfing

Learn to surf from beaches dotted along the coast or for experienced boarders ride the ultimate wave at ocean back beaches or famous Bells Beach.
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

Johanna Beach Campground

Johanna Beach is just off the Great Ocean Road near Glenaire. It's a three-hour drive from Melbourne via the direct inland route through Colac. Alternatively, it's a four-hour drive from Melbourne via the world famous and very scenic Great Ocean Road. 
Johanna Beach Campground

When you're there

Johanna Beach Campground and its adjoining day visitor area are on the route of the eight-day long distance walk, the Great Ocean Walk. Hikers can stay at the nearby hike-in campsites or in accommodation nearby. Download the Great Otway National Park visitor guides before you go, or visit the Great Ocean Walk website for accommodation, guides and shuttle services.

When to go

Book ahead and try for weekdays to avoid crowds and public holidays.

Need to know

Johanna Beach Campground

Accessibility

The Johanna Beach drive in camping area has a range of campsites located close to Johanna Beach. Sites are located on undulating grassland with some limited shelter provided by coastal vegetation.  A number of the campsites are on slopes making them unsuitable for wheelchair access.

Parking is on the grass generally next to the campsite. There are no designated paths leading all the way to the toilets.

There are two standard toilet cubicles and a unisex accessible toilet servicing the camping area. Access is via the gravel service road and then up a short compacted gravel path leading to the toilets. There is no designated path leading from the campsites directly to the toilets; wheelchairs are required to go over grassy surfaces and parts of the service road.

The entrance to the accessible 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. Grab railing is on the left side of the cubicle wall and extends behind the toilet. The cubicle also has a bench seat.

The vanity basin is located outside the toilet cubicles and is accessible for wheelchairs. It has a knob handle cold water tap and a stainless steel mirror.

Johanna Beach is not accessible by wheelchair from the camping area.

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.
  • Please take your rubbish home with you.

Johanna Beach 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.

  • Great Otway National Park

    Delayneys Track Closed

    Delayneys Track is closed until further notice.

    Wye Road Closure

    Wye Road is temporarily closed for grading and landslip repair.  

    Temporary park closures Great Otway National Park

    Sections of the Great Otway National Park will be temporarily closed at night from Monday 15th April 2024 through to June 1st 2024 to allow for the safe delivery of park conservation work.  Temporary closed areas will be clearly sign posted.  All campgrounds will remain open during this operation.  For further information please contact Parks Victoria on 13 19 63 or email westregiondcp@parks.vic.gov.au

  • Other issues

    Sharps Campground permanently closed

    Permanently closed due to environmental and safety risks. 

  • Lemonade Creek Walk (Great Otway National Park)

    Lemonade Creek Walking Track Closure

    Due to multiple unsafe bridges the Lemonade Creek Walking Track will be closed indeffinately 

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

    Youngs Creek Track Closed Great Otway National Park

    Following recent rainfall and current conditions, Youngs Creek track within the Great Otway National Park is currently closed.

    Safety for our visitors and protection of the environment has led to this decision. The nearby Triplet Falls and Aire Crossing visitor sites remain open along with the tracks leading to them. 

  • Jamieson Creek (Great Otway National Park)

    Wye Road Temporary Closure

    Wye Road will be closed temporarily for grading and landslip repair.

  • Notices Affecting Multiple Sites

    Planned Burn Operations Around Anglesea

    Planned burning operations are scheduled in this park which will result in the following areas being affected from the time a burn is approved for ignition, until the area is declared safe. Ignition of the burns are scheduled from 12th April 2024 and are subject to favourable weather.

    Please adhere to all closure and advice signs in the area as planned burn activity commences.

    Check the status of current planned burns at https://plannedburns.ffm.vic.gov.au

    Areas Affected:

    Duckponds Burn:
    Ironbark Spur
    Gentle Annie Track
    Dam Wall Track
    McKenzie Link Track
    Duckponds Track
    Loves Track
     
    Woodlands Burn:
    Woodlands Track
    Harrison North
    Motorbike Offload Area (Cecil)
    Informal Track west of Flaxbourne’s Road
     
    Cecil Burn:
    Cecil Track
    Motorbike offload area (Tanners/Gumflat)
     
    Red River Burn
    Yan Wirring Miir Loop
    Denhams Track
    Red River Track
    Bunjil Lookout

    Please take your rubbish home

    Reminder to campers and visitors to please take your rubbish home. Please do not put rubbish in toilets. Visitors have been placing rubbish in the pit toilets making human waste removal difficult. Parks appreciates your assistance in looking after the Park.

  • 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.

  • Blanket Bay Day Visitor Area (Great Otway National Park)

    Blanket Bay Campground- water supply

    Blanket Bay campground in Great Otway National Park water supply is very low. Campers are advised to bring their own water. 

Similar experiences

 
The path to Ninety Mile Beach from Paradise Beach Campground at Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park

Paradise Beach Campground

The campground is separated from the beach by a stretch of fenced vegetation. There is access to the beach from the Paradise Beach camping area. Use this access points to reduce damage to the sensitive coastal vegetation.
Mum and Dad sit around the campfire with their infant son while their three other children play in the background.

Shipwreck Creek

This small campground is set in a tall forest above a small secluded cove which is only a 10 minute walk away. It is an excellent base for walks covering both heathland and coastal scenery.
One man adds a log on to the fire at Bear Gully Campground at Cape Liptrap Coastal Park

Bear Gully Campground

This camping area offers shady campsites set among tall Banksias right on the shore of Waratah Bay. The adjacent beach is unpatrolled and not recommended for swimming. The area is popular for fishing and rock pooling.
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