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

    Colac Tree Road Open, Skinners Track Closed

    Colac Tree Road within the Great Otway National Park will re-open at 5pm on Monday 2nd December with a 40kph restriction.

    Skinners Creek Track, within the Great Otway National Park, will remain closed until further notice. 

    These restrictions will be in place due to fire impacting the area. 

  • 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.


    Large Haulage Trucks Carting Timber Within the Aire Valley

    Visitors to the Great Otway National Park and Otway Forest Park will need to be aware that large Haulage Trucks will be using the Aire Valley area to harvest plantation timber.

    Hopetoun Falls, Aire Valley Reserve (The Redwoods) within the Great Otway National Park and Beauchamp Falls within the Otway Forest Park will be affected.

    Trucks will be using Binns Road, Beauchamp Falls Road and Seaview Ridge Road. Traffic Management signage and speed reductions will be implemented.

    Please take care when driving and visiting these areas.

    Aire River - East and West campgrounds - Tanks dry

    • All water tanks at both the Aire East and Aire west campgrounds are reported as EMPTY.
    • Dry conditions,  vandalised infrastructure  and inappropriate use has combined to fully drain all tanks.
    • Empty tanks hold no water.  Smashing an empty tank open will not make any water suddenly appear.
    • Visitors are advised to fully self manage all water requirements at these sites.
    • Aire River water must be fully and suitable treated if under consideration for any form of use. 

    Great Ocean Walk - Estuary closures

    • Due to coastal environmental conditions both the Aire River and the Gellibrand River mouths are closed.
    • Minor localised river flooding is being observed in tthese areas.
    • The Aire River on approach to the Aire West campground is over the Great Ocean Walk.
    • The Gellibrand River 500m south east of the Princetown Recreation Reserve is over the Great Ocean Walk.
    • Hikers may need to walk through ankle/knee deep water in these sections of the walk.
    • Estuaries may open naturally, or Parks Victoria may attempt an artificial opening if and when safe to do so. 
    • Campsites are not impacted.
    • If the situation becomes a safety hazard closures will be required. 

    Great Ocean Walk Water Tanks Low or Empty

    Due to the recent warm and dry weather, drinking water in the rainwater tanks along the Great Ocean Walk have become low and in some cases empty, such as at the Blanket Bay walk in campsite.

    Due to the remote nature of the campsites, Parks Victoria, DOES NOT guarantee rainwater availability at each campsite.
    Hikers are responsible for their own water requirements. Tank-rainwater, when present, can be treated in several
    ways such as filtering and boiling or adding sterilisation tablets. 

    Further information about the Great Ocean Walk can be found here:  www.greatoceanwalk.com.au
    Plan for a safe, unforgettable experience on the Great Ocean Walk

  • Johanna Beach Day Visitor Area (Great Otway National Park)

    Toilet Issue at Johanna beach visitor area.

    Toilets at Johanna Beach visitor area are out of order until further notice, due to blocked pipe. To use toilet facilities at campground, which are 200 meters west.


  • 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.

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

    Aire River Estuary Closure – Aire West Campground

    Parks Victoria operations are closely monitoring water levels within the Aire River estuary in Great Otway National Park. 

    Please be aware of the following important information:
    • Estuary Closure: The Aire River mouth has been closed since 10 December 2024.  Water is slowly rising in the estuary.  Any rainfall in the Aire River catchment basin, will increase water levels.
    • Water level can be monitored here > Aire River levels @ Horden Vale 
    • Impact on Campsites: Campsites 24 to 40 at the Aire West Campground are prone to high river water levels when over 1.65m. Campers setting up in low-lying areas closest the river should expect the potential for flooding.
    • Safety First: Floodwaters can be hazardous. Visitors are advised to avoid flooded areas for their safety, and comfort.
    • Future Actions: When conditions, including tides and swell, are safe and suitable, another attempt to open the river mouth will be made.  The river may also open naturally when conditions allow.  Ongoing river mouth blockage may result in site closures.
    • Water Recession: If, and/or when the river mouth opens, water levels are expected to recede quickly.

    All visitors should plan ahead and choose campsites on higher ground to minimise the risk of water intrusion. 
    Despite high water in the river all tanks at this campsite are reported as dry. 
    Thank you for your cooperation. 





Similar experiences

 
White van parked next to picnic table in a campsite, shaded by trees

Best Alternatives to Popular Victorian Campgrounds

If you’re looking for a great camping experience in Victoria without the crowds, we’ve put together a list of alternatives to popular campgrounds, including the best times to visit.
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.
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.
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