Johanna Beach Campground

Johanna Beach Campground

Johanna Beach Campground

Johanna Beach Campground

    This area has additional visitor advice This area has reported issues This area is closed

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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 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

    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.

    • Notices Affecting Multiple Parks

      Garvey Track Closed until further notice.

      Garvey track will remain closed until further notice. Major road works are due to occur when conditions are suitable. 

    • Cora Lynn Campground (Great Otway National Park)

      Cora Lynn Campground Closure

      This campground is closed until further notice due to hazardous trees.

    • Kalimna Falls Walk (Great Otway National Park)

      Upper Kalimna Walking Trail Closed

      Walking trail to Upper Kalimna Falls closed until further notice due to storm damage. Lower Falls remain open.

    • Kalimna Tramline Link Walk (Great Otway National Park)

      Kalimna Tramline Trail Closed

      This walking track 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.

    • Sharps Campground (Great Otway National Park)

      Sharps Campground Permanently Closed

      Due to environmental and safety risks, Sharps campground will be permanently closed from Thursday 22nd December 2022.

      For more information please see attached fact sheet.

      Attachments: Sharps Campground closure Fact sheet (200KB)

    • Great Otway National Park

      Trail closures due to severe weather damage.

      • St George River Walk is closed between Allenvale Campground and Cherry Tree Creek
      • Cumberland River Walking Trail is closed

      Lifejackets Required For Rock Fishers from March 1, 2022

      A two-year trial of new laws that require rock fishers to wear a lifejacket at high-risk locations will commence on 1 March 2022.
       
      For Great Otway National Park this includes:
      • Artillery Rocks, west of Lorne
      • The rock platform opposite Sheoak Falls, south of Lorne
      This factsheet includes maps of the affected areas.
       
      Fines apply if you don’t wear a lifejacket at these sites.
       
      To find out more, visit Victorian Fisheries Authority 

    • 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.

    • 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

    • Sheoak Picnic Area (Great Otway National Park)

      No All-Abilities Toilet at Sheoak Picnic Area

      No all-abilities toilet access at Sheoak Picnic Area. Portable toilets temporarily in use.

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

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    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.

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    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.
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    Bear Gully Campground

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