Johanna Beach Campground

    This area has additional visitor advice This area has reported issues This area is closed

    Explore

    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.
    Book now
    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.

    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 websute for accommodation, guides and shuttle services.

    When to go

    Book ahead and try for weekdays to avoid crowds and public holidays.

    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.
    Check availability

    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.

    • Lemonade Creek Walk (Great Otway National Park)

      Lemonade Creek Walking Track Closure

      Due to an unsafe pedestrian bridge, Lemonade Creek Walking Track will be closed for the foreseeable future. 

    • Aire River East Campground (Great Otway National Park)

      Aire River East Campground site closures- sites 10 to 20

      Aire River East campground sites 10 to 20 will be closed until September 2021 due to wet conditions, sites 1 to 9 remain available

    • Aire River West Campground (Great Otway National Park)

      Aire West Campground site closures- sites 20 to 40

      Aire River West sites 20 to 40 (the flats) will be closed until September 30th 2021 due to wet conditions, sites 1 to 19 remain available

    • Notices Affecting Multiple Parks

      Seasonal road closures 2021

      Some roads in this park are subject to seasonal road closures. Seasonal road closures generally operate after the long weekend in June through to the end of October, but may be extended due to seasonal conditions. Visit the seasonal road closures page for maps and more information.

    • Blanket Bay Campground (Great Otway National Park)

      Blanket Bay campground, sites closed

      Blanket bay campground- sites unavailable due to drainage and campsite maintenance works until August 31, 2021

      Blanket Bay campground, sites closed

      Blanket bay campground- sites unavailable due to drainage and campsite maintenance works until August 31, 2021

    • Great Ocean Walk - Day 6 - Johanna Beach to Ryans Den (Great Otway National Park)

      Melanesia Track damage- walkers take care

      Melanesia Track and the Great Ocean Walk between Johanna and Ryans Den have been damaged by 4WD activity. Walkers are advised to take care while accessing Melanesia Beach as the track is very slippery and rutted. 

    Similar experiences

     
    A Koala in a tree.

    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.
    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.
    The sun sets over the water near Cape Liptrap.

    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.
    Two hikers reach the summit of Mount Nelse at Bogong High Plains
    X
    By using our site you accept that we use and share cookies and similar technologies with certain approved third parties. These tools enable us to improve your website experience and to provide content and ads tailored to your interests. By continuing to use our site you consent to this. Please see our Privacy Policy for more information.
    Confirm