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Aire River East Campground
Advanced bookings and payment at Aire River East Campground are required year-round. Aire River East Campground contains 20 grassy campsites. Each campsite accommodates a maximum of six people. Campsites 1-4 are only suitable for smaller tents, while campsites 10-20 can cater to large caravans too. All campsites are unpowered.
Things to do
Canoeing and Kayaking
Great Ocean Walk
Fishing
How to get there
Aire River East Campground
When you're there
Need to know
Aire River East Campground
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.
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.
Great Otway National Park is 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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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. -
Great Otway National Park
Curtis Track Closed
Curtis Track is currently closed due to hazardous conditions. Conditions continue to be monitored and assessed.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.- 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 -
Notices Affecting Multiple Sites
Youngs Creek track closure
This track is closed due to roadworksErskine 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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Urquhart Bluff Day Visitor Area (Great Otway National Park)
Toilet Closed Urquhart's Bluff
Toilets are closed due to scheduled maintenance and repairs, No toilet access and hand wash or water availabilityToilet Closed Urquhart's Bluff
Toilets are closed due to scheduled maintenance and repairs, No toilet access and hand wash or water availability -
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. -
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)