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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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 websute for accommodation, guides and shuttle services.
Camping & accommodation
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.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.
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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Alcoa Powerline Trail head (Anglesea Heath Alcoa Agreement Area)
Alcoa Powerline Track Closed until further notice
Alcoa Powerline Track closed until further notice due to safety concerns. -
Great Ocean Walk - Day 6 - Johanna Beach to Ryans Den (Great Otway National Park)
Walking Track Closed-Great Ocean Walk - Johanna to Ryans Den
Please note: Day 6 section - Johanna Beach Campground to Ryans Den is closed. All campgrounds along the Great Ocean Walk are open however walkers cannot continue along the trail from Johanna Beach Campground to Ryans Den.A section of natural rock wall cliff face has subsided to the east of Ryans Den.With recent severe weather conditions, there is potential for further landslides and rock falls in this area. It is not safe for walkers and it will be closed at least until 26th January 2022, pending further essential works to make this area safe.If walking from Johanna Beach Campground, arrange transport to take you to Ryans Den Access Track in order to continue the Great Ocean Walk. A Licensed Tour Operator along the Great Ocean Road may be able to assist. All campgrounds along the Great Ocean Walk remain open including Johanna Beach Campground and Ryans Den. Visitor safety is our top priority and we are working to re-open this section of the walk as soon as it is safe.
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Kalimna Tramline Link Walk (Great Otway National Park)
Kalimna Tramline link Walk 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. -
Kalimna Falls Walk (Great Otway National Park)
Upper Kalimna Falls are Closed
The Upper Kalimna Falls viewing platform and access track are closed due to damage to the platform. Walkers can still access the Lower Kalimna Waterfall via the Kalimna Falls Walking Track, which starts at Sheoak Picnic Area. -
Notices Affecting Multiple Sites
Garvey Track is Closed
Garvey Track is closed due to damage. Sharps Track is a suitable detour if required.Great Ocean Walk - walking track remediation construction works Ryans Den
Great Ocean Walk- walking track remediation construction works at Ryans Den
To ensure the safety of walkers on the Ryans Den section of the Great Ocean Walk, contractors have commenced remediation works to repair the walking track and address the potential for further serious rock slippage and falls. Please be aware that the walking track between Johanna Beach Campground and Ryans Den will remain closed for the duration of the critical safety work being carried out and that the contractors are operating machinery in this area, which is now a building site. Completion and the reopening of the track is anticipated before the 26th of January 2022 (depending on weather & site conditions).
Start date: 10/01/2022 End date: 27/01/2022 Status: Archived Submitted by: mfrancis@parks.vic.gov.au Affected Park:Great Otway National Park -
Great Otway National Park
Access restricted at Jarosite Headlands between Point Addis and Southside Beach
- A 450m section of beach at Jarosite Headlands, between Point Addis and Southside, has had access restricted.
- Do not enter exclusion zone 10m from base of cliff.
- Do not stay stationary within 10m - 30m from base of cliff.
- Visitors must take note of signage in place.
- Landslips and rockfalls are unpredictable and can occur without warning. Like all coastal environments, these cliffs are subject to dynamic weather events and prone to cracking, erosion, landslips and rockfall.
Similar experiences
Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park Paradise Beach
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.
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.
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.
