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Aire River West Campground (Great Otway National Park, Aire River Heritage River)
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Aire River West Campground (Great Otway National Park, Aire River Heritage River)
Need to know
Aire River West Campground (Great Otway National Park, Aire River Heritage River)
Safety in nature
You can benefit both mind and body when you get outdoors to explore and experience Victoria's natural places. Before you go, take a look at our safety tips and check our changed conditions and closures information for a great visit.
Accessibility
Visiting a park can be more of a challenge for people with disabilities, however, in Victoria there are a wide range of facilities to help people of all abilities enjoy our wonderful parks around the state. Parks Victoria provides a range of a equipment, including all-terrain and beach wheelchairs, facilities, accommodation and accessibility information and programs to help you plan and enjoy your visit to Victoria's parks.
Assistance dogs are welcome in Parks Victoria parks and reserves. Entry requirements apply for parks and reserves that are usually dog prohibited, such as national parks.
Warnings & Restrictions
Dogs
Dogs are not allowed
Restrictions
- No dogs allowed
- No generators
- Fees apply
- No firearms allowed
- Load, weight restrictions
Warnings
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Water hazards
- Strong currents
- Rough Surf
- Submerged obstacles
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Animals and pests
- Snakes
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Other warnings
- Vehicles
Be Prepared
Stay safe and get the most out of your park visit by preparing for natural hazards and other outdoor risks in Victoria’s parks. You are responsible for your own safety and the safety of those in your care. Find out more.
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.
Aire River West Camp ground - Sites 24 - 40 - CLOSED
- Sites 24 to 40 at the Aire West Campground are CLOSED due to flooding
- Due to an ongoing river mouth closure these sites are inundated and not suitable for camping.
- Sites will require time to dry out once any river opening occurs.
- Sites 24 to 40 are advised as closed until at least 31 March 2025
- Sites 1 -23 are not impacted > at this point.
- The Great Ocean Walk hike in camp sites are not impacted.
- Closed areas can not be booked nor camped in.
- National Park Regulations apply.
- Flood water can be hazardous.
- Visitors and campers should avoid flood water.
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.
Cora Lynn Cascades Walking Track Closure
Cora Lynn Cascades walking track is currently closed due to damaged infrastructure. Please note this closure will affect you if you plan to walk from Allenvale through to Erskine falls and vice versa.
Temporary night closures of sections of the Great Otway National Park
Between Monday 17th February 2025 and Friday 4th
April 2025, rolling closures park closures will occur between dusk and
dawn Great Otway National Park to enable staff to safely undertake park
conservation programs. For your safety and for safety of park staff and
contractors, please adhere to park closure signage.
Visitor sites that may be impacted by temporary
closures include:
Surf Coast Walk between Southside and Anglesea
Ironbark Basin
Point Addis
Eumeralla Area - including all mountain bike tracks
Anglesea Heath
Old rifle range between Cecil and Woodland Tracks
Distillery Creek
Moggs Creek
Other areas that may be impacted by temporary closures include:
Carlisle Heath, Kennedys Creek and Chapple Vale areas
Parks Closures will only occur at night and for short
periods of time. Closures will be signposted, supervised and patrolled by
Parks Victoria staff and Authorised Officers.
For further information please email: westregiondcp@parks.vic.gov.au
Halls Ridge Track - temporary closure
- Halls Ridge Track is provisionally closed due to safety reasons.
- Multiple deep bog holes and environmental track hazards have required a temporary closure to be put in place.
- Gates are closed at both ends of Halls Ridge Tk.
- National Park Regulations Apply.
- Parks Victoria is working to restore access as soon as possible.
Great Ocean Walk - Important Notice
Parks Victoria is received increasing reports of concerning observations on the Great Ocean Walk .
This includes use of bikes, horses, unrestrained dogs, campfires and hikers arriving at their pre-booked campsites only to find them already occupied.
🔹 All hikers must book a campsite before their trip, even though camping is free.
🔹 Camping without a booking or outside designated areas is not permitted.
🔹 Campfires are NOT permitted at any Great Ocean Walk hike-in campsite.
🔹 Only medical certified companion animals are permitted (on lead).
🔹 The Great Ocean Walk is a walking/hiking trail - not a long distance horse, trail bike or Mountain bike course.
National Park Regulations Apply.
Parks Victoria Authorised Officers patrol the Great Ocean Walk.
Evidence of a booking must be shown to a Parks Victoria Ranger on request.
To ensure a fair and safe experience for all:
✅ Book your campsite before starting your walk.
✅ Only camp in designated areas and at your assigned site.
✅ Respect fellow hikers by only using the site you have booked.
✅ Do not light campfires—use fuel stoves for cooking.
✅ Do report observations of concern.
If you observe:
🚨 A campfire, bikes, animals other than native ones or hikers occupying an already booked site, please report it immediately (when safe to do so) to Parks Victoria on 131 963.
⚠️ Parks Victoria cannot respond to emergency situations involving hikers and campers who have not booked a campsite.
Thank you for helping us protect the Great Ocean Walk and ensuring a safe, enjoyable experience for everyone.
For bookings and further information, visit Parks Victoria’s website.
Parks Victoria
Caring for Country, Connecting People
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 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 Crossing Campground
- Camping: Aire Crossing Campground has five (5) unbooked campsites, available on a first-come, first-served basis. Camping outside these designated sites—including in the car park or along the Aire River—is strictly prohibited.
- Campfires: Not permitted at any time.
- Access: The campground is accessible via Aire Crossing Track. A 4WD is recommended.
- Halls Ridge Track (4WD only) is seasonally closed and frequently inaccessible outside these periods. Use is not advised.
- Vehicle Recovery: If your vehicle becomes stranded, retrieval must be arranged privately at your own cost.
- Fire Danger > South West Fire District Closures:
- The campground may close on Extreme Fire Danger Rating days.
- It will be closed on Catastrophic Fire Danger Rating days.
- Weather & Track Conditions: Conditions can change rapidly due to wind and rain, leading to potential track closures.
- Tree Hazards: Trees and branches may fall at any time, even in calm weather. Please be aware of the risk.
- Phone Signal: No mobile reception is available at Aire Crossing.
- Regulations & Enforcement:
- National Park Regulations apply.
- The area is regularly patrolled by Parks Victoria Authorised Officers, Rangers, Forest Fire Management Victoria, and the Conservation Regulator.