Johanna Beach Campground

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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.

    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.
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    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.

    • Herberts (Wymbooliel) Campground (Great Otway National Park)

      Herbert's Campground closed

      Herbert’s Campground is closed until further notice due to hazardous trees.

    • Beauchamp Falls Reserve

      Beauchamp Falls Reserve Closure

      Beauchamp Falls campground, road and waterfall are closed to visitors until further notice due to upgrade works. 

    • Notices Affecting Multiple Sites

      Lorne walking track closures due to planned burning; Lorne - Saint George Fuel Reduction Burn

      Planned burning operations are scheduled in this park which will result in The following tracks being closed; Canyon Loop, Phantom falls walk, Cora Lynn cascades walk, Green Break track, Wonwondah falls, Henderson Falls from the time a burn is approved for ignition until the area is declared safe. Ignition of the burn is scheduled from 17/2/21 and is subject to favourable weather. Check the status of current planned burns at https://plannedburns.ffm.vic.gov.au

      Lorne Area Closures Due to Planned Burning

      Due to a planned burn occurring in the Lorne area, a number of Parks Victoria visitor sites and walking tracks will be closed for safety reasons between the 24 February and 14 March 2021 while the burn occurs.
      Visitor sites that are closed:
       
      Allenvale Mill Campground
      Sheoak Picnic Area
      Sheaok Falls
       
      Walking tracks that are closed :
       
      Cora Lynn
      Phantom Falls
      Canyon
      Henderson Falls/Won Wondah Falls
      Kalimna Falls
      Sheoak Creek
      Castle Rock
      Cumberland Garvey Link

      Lorne Area Closures Due to Planned Burning

      Due to a planned burn occurring in the Lorne area, a number of Parks Victoria visitor sites and walking tracks will be closed for safety reasons between the 24 February and 14 March 2021 while the burn occurs.
      Visitor sites that are closed:
       
      Allenvale Mill Campground
      Sheoak Picnic Area
      Sheaok Falls
       
      Walking tracks that are closed :
       
      Cora Lynn
      Phantom Falls
      Canyon
      Henderson Falls/Won Wondah Falls
      Kalimna Falls
      Sheoak Creek
      Castle Rock
      Cumberland Garvey Link

      Triplet Falls and Little Aire Falls Temporary Closure

      From the 9th March - 31st March the Phillips Track access to Triplet and Little Aire Falls will be closed for essential road works. Triplet Falls and Little Aire Falls visitor sites will therefore be closed during this period.
       
      The linking Brown Town and Youngs Creek tracks will be also be closed during this period for visitor safety.
       
      Access to the nearby Otway Fly will remain open.

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