Johanna Beach Campground

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    Johanna Beach Campground

    Nestled between coastal sand dunes, a lush, grassy hinterland and a prime surf beach the dog-on-lead friendly Johanna Beach Campground has everything you need for an unforgettable seaside camping experience. Take in the salty ocean vistas, go surfing, fishing or hike a section of the Great Ocean Walk.
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    Johanna Beach Campground has 25 sites. There are non-flush toilets and no showers. Campers must provide their own drinking water.

    Take a break from your Great Ocean Road drive at this low-key campground. The westerly facing breaks of Johanna Beach are popular for experienced surfers (this is an unpatrolled beach). This is also a good surf fishing beach. Try your hand at catching a mullet or salmon for dinner.

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

    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 websute for accommodation, guides and shuttle services.

    When to go

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

    Camping & accommodation

    Nestled between coastal sand dunes, a lush, grassy hinterland and a prime surf beach the dog-on-lead friendly Johanna Beach Campground has everything you need for an unforgettable seaside camping experience.
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    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.

    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

      Kennett-Wye Jeep Track and Bird Track closed

      Kennett-Wye Jeep Track and Bird Track will be closed until 30 June 2020 due to a landslip undermining the road.

      Wye River Campground closed

      Wye River Road Camping Area is closed until further notice due to dangerous trees

      Upper Kalimna track closed

      The Upper Kalimna Falls walking track is closed until further notice due to damage to the boardwalk and lookout. The Lower Kalimna Falls are still accessible from Sheoak Picnic Area via Kalimna Walking Track and from Garvey Track via Kalimna Link Track.

    • Maits Rest Rainforest Walk (Great Otway National Park)

      Maits Rest refurbishment

      Maits Rest will be closed from Monday 8 July until November 2019 to undergo refurbishment of the full 800m loop trail. See FAQs about the Maits Rest refurbishment below. Melba Gully is the perfect alternate location to visit during the Maits Rest closure.

      Attachments: Maits-Rest-refurbishment-FAQs (348KB)

    • Herberts (Wymbooliel) Campground (Great Otway National Park)

      Herbert's Campground closed

      Herbert’s Campground is closed until further notice due to hazardous trees.

    • Jamieson Camping Area (Great Otway National Park)

      Jamieson Campground closed

      The Jamieson Campground, Jamieson Track and Godfrey Track, are closed until Easter 2020 to allow for site upgrades.  

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