Explore
Lake Elizabeth Campground
There are 20 campsites accommodating up to six people per site. All campsites are unpowered and are suitable for tents only. There is no direct vehicle access to the campsites. A 15-minute unloading bay is located close by and a separate carpark is located above and behind the campground just a two minute walk away.
Non flush toilets, shared fireplaces and picnic tables are provided. Dogs are permitted on-lead.
Once you're unpacked and set up, walk the 1km to beautiful Lake Elizabeth. Flooded after a landslip created a natural dam, the lake is scattered with the still-upright trunks of dead trees, giving an eerie atmosphere to the valley. Platypus are sometimes seen early morning and at dusk in the still waters. A host of birds live in the area and Satin Bowerbirds (the male dark satin blue and the female is olive green) are often seen near the camping round. Wrens, robins and grey shrike thrush also visit regularly. You may see glowworms beside this track after dark.
Dogs should be kept on-lead to reduce their impact on native wildlife and to preserve their health and your dogs as snakes are common in this area and its walks. There is poor mobile phone reception here.
Explore the area by walking, canoeing, mountain biking and four-wheel driving. Birdwatching is popular here. The village of Forrest is nearby for supplies and is a major mountain bike trailhead for the area's cycling network.
As rivers, lakes and reservoirs are natural environments, you may encounter hazards. Follow our water safety advice to make sure your day out at Lake Elizabeth is a safe and enjoyable one.
Things to do
Canoeing and Kayaking
Mountain biking
How to get there
Lake Elizabeth Campground
When you're there
A 40-minute drive south takes you to the Great Ocean Road and the many waterfalls and other attractions along this famous drive. Forrest itself is a mountain bike trailhead hub. You can ride to it from the campground via the Baridjaru Trail. Download the visitor guide before you go.
Need to know
Lake Elizabeth Campground
Accessibility
Lake Elizabeth Day Visitor and Camping facility has all ability access. Forested areas generally are more difficult grade walks often with steps and minor creek crossings. Lake Elizabeth Loop Walk Grade 3. the walk has some steps, uneven surfaces and is not an all abilities walk.
Be prepared and stay safe
Lake Elizabeth 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.
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Aire River East Campground (Aire River Heritage River, Great Otway National Park)
Aire River East campground Temporary closure
Aire River east campground is temporarily closed due to wet conditions making the area unsuitable for camping. -
Notices Affecting Multiple Parks
Seasonal road closures 2023
Seasonal road closures apply to areas within and tracks bordering this park from 15 June 2023. See MapshareVic for locations of the closures. Visit the seasonal road closures page for more information. -
Notices Affecting Multiple Sites
Erskine Falls Lower Lookout Closed
Erskine Falls lower lookout is closed until further notice. Access to the base of the waterfall is no longer open due to unsafe conditions. Erskine Falls can be viewed from the top lookout which looks across to the top of the falls. Straw Falls is also inaccessible from the Erskine Falls carpark due to this closure. Erskine Falls walking track is still open from the Lorne township up to the base of Erskine Falls.Great Ocean Walk - Wet and Muddy conditions
As a result of ongoing rain in the Great Otway National Park over autumn and through winter 2023, conditions of the track on the day 1 and day 2 sections of the Great Ocean Walk are advised to be very wet and muddy.The Elliot Road section of walk is particularly unfavourable, and heavy conditions are anticipated to be ongoing until late Spring 2023.South West District Weather forecastAttachments: GOW May 2023 (540KB)
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Great Otway National Park
Delayneys Track Closed
Delayneys Track is closed until further notice.
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 -
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. -
Cora Lynn Campground (Great Otway National Park)
Cora Lynn Campground Closed
Due to environmental and safety risks, Cora Lynn campground is permanently closed. -
Other issues
Blanket Bay - Bush Rats
Following the success of our fox and feral cat management programmes population numbers of Rattus fuscipes have grown again in the Blanket Bay campground area of the Great Otway National Park.The combination of less predators and conducive weather conditions has allowed a population to return that campers at Blanket Bay should be cautious of.The Bush rat has some specific features that can help you distinguish it from similar rats.· It has pointed head and rounded ears.· Its tail is smaller than the rat's body.· Another key feature is their front teeth - they are chisel-shaped with hard yellow enamel.These native rodents are known to scavenge on campers’ food, gnawing through tents to get to uncontained foodstuffs.Native bush Rats are protected wildlife in the National Park and may form part of your camping experience while camping at Blanket Bay.Attachments: Native vs Non-Native FS (779KB)
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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.
Similar experiences
Lake Catani Campground
Aire River East Campground
