The ultimate guide to camping on Great Ocean Road

Australia's Great Ocean Road is a bucket-list destination for any adventurous traveller. Spanning 243 kilometres along the southeastern coast, this iconic route offers stunning ocean views, lush rainforests, and diverse wildlife.

Starting or ending your trip in Melbourne, you'll find a range of camping spots along the Great Ocean Road, each providing an authentic Australian experience. Join us as we explore the best camping grounds on the Great Ocean Road, ensuring your Star RV Road trip is nothing short of extraordinary.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore some of the top caravan parks and camping areas Great Ocean Road has to offer. From serene beaches and lush rainforests to the iconic Twelve Apostles, we'll help you plan the perfect camping trip that caters to your adventurous spirit.

Cumberland River Holiday Park

Nestled between rugged cliffs and the sparkling waters of the Cumberland River, the Cumberland River Holiday Park offers a stunning backdrop for your camping adventure. Located just 7 kilometres from Lorne, this park is perfect for travellers wanting to immerse themselves in nature without straying too far from civilization. It is also one of the dog-friendly camping areas along the Great Ocean Road, so your pets can come too.

The Cumberland River Holiday Park boasts a variety of accommodation options, including powered and unpowered camping sites suitable for motorhomes, caravans, and tents. The park's facilities include clean restrooms, hot showers, a camp kitchen, and BBQ areas, so everything you need is easily available onsite.

Explorers will love hiking along the Cumberland River Trail, where you'll encounter waterfalls, rock pools, and an abundance of wildlife. For those seeking a bit more adventure, the nearby Erskine Falls and Sheoak Falls are must-visit spots.

Kennett River Holiday Park

If you are an avid wildlife lover, Kennett River Holiday Park is the place to be. Located halfway along the Great Ocean Road, this park is famous for its local koala population. The surrounding eucalyptus trees are home to many of these adorable creatures. This makes it a prime spot for koala spotting, a unique experience that draws nature enthusiasts from all over.

Located close in a peaceful spot close to the beach, between Lorne and Apollo Bay, this caravan park will have you walking distance a great mix of beach and bush experiences. The park facilities include unpowered or powered sites, restrooms, hot showers, a camp kitchen, and BBQ areas conveniently located onsite.

We recommend taking a walk along the Kennett River Koala Walk, where you're almost guaranteed to spot these adorable creatures in their natural habitat. The nearby Kennett River is a great spot for fishing and swimming. Don’t miss the chance to feed the wild parrots and spot other native wildlife during your stay.

Port Campbell Recreation Reserve

Situated in the charming town of Port Campbell, the Port Campbell Recreation Reserve is the ideal base for exploring the iconic Twelve Apostles. These majestic limestone stacks are just a short drive away and offer one of the most breathtaking views along the Great Ocean Road. Don't forget your camera.

The reserve provides a range of camping options, including powered sites, unpowered sites, and cabins. Amenities include modern restrooms, hot showers, a laundry facility, and a camp kitchen. The reserve's central location allows easy access to local shops, cafes, and restaurants, adding convenience to your stay.

Visit the Twelve Apostles at sunrise or sunset for spectacular views is a must-do while staying at this Great Ocean Road camping area. Other nearby attractions include Loch Ard Gorge, London Bridge, and the Grotto, all offering unique geological formations and stunning coastal scenery.

BIG 4 Wye River Holiday Park & Cabins

BIG 4 Wye River Holiday Park & Cabins is a family-friendly destination boasting excellent facilities and a picturesque setting. The park sits between the Wye River and Wye River Beach, offering plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities from sand to sun drenched riverside adventures.

Families will appreciate the substantial number of family-friendly activities to keep the kids busy, including an adventure playground, basketball courts, a giant Jumping Pillow, pedal go-karts, and indoor games room. Adults can relax at the on-site cafe, enjoy scenic walks along the coast or catch an outdoor movie.

Our favourite way to spend evenings at Wye River is toasting marshmallows around the holiday park's campfires with our newfound camp friends.

BIG 4 holiday parks have a range of accommodations from cabins to powered sites, all equipped with modern amenities, and laundry facilities for a comfortable and convenient stay for Great Ocean Road holidays.

Skenes Creek Beachfront Camping Park

If you prefer to be right by the water, park up at Skenes Creek Beachfront Camping Park for stunning ocean views and direct beach access. Located just 6 kilometres from Apollo Bay, it’s a great base for exploring the area.

The beachfront location is perfect if you love the sound of the waves, and spending days surfing and fishing. The park's close proximity to Apollo Bay means you can easily explore the local cafes, shops, and attractions. Facilities include powered and unpowered sites, clean amenities, and BBQ areas, ensuring a comfortable stay with plenty of beachside fun.

Port Campbell Recreation Reserve and the Twelve Apostles

Port Campbell Recreation Reserve is perfectly situated for visiting one of the Great Ocean Road’s most iconic landmarks: the Twelve Apostles. This reserve offers a convenient and comfortable camping experience close to the action. Its riverside setting provides a peaceful backdrop for your stay, and the location allows easy access to the stunning rock formations of the Twelve Apostles. The reserve features powered and unpowered sites, a well-equipped camp kitchen, and clean facilities. After a day of exploring, enjoy a peaceful evening by the river or take a short stroll to the charming town of Port Campbell.

Princetown Recreation Reserve

When it comes to tranquil camping sites, Princetown Recreation Reserve is an excellent choice. Located just 6 kilometres from the Twelve Apostles, this reserve offers a serene setting amidst wetlands and the Gellibrand River.

The reserve features both powered and unpowered sites, with amenities such as restrooms, hot showers, and BBQ areas. The nearby wetlands are home to diverse birdlife, making it a paradise for bird watchers and nature enthusiasts.

Recreation reserves are perfect if you want to make the most of the outdoors. Fishing and canoeing on the Gellibrand River are popular activities here. Princeton Recreation Reserve is also close to the Twelve Apostles, meaning you can easily visit this famous landmark while enjoying a quieter camping experience.

Bimbi Park near the Great Ocean Walk

Bimbi Park, known as "Camping Under Koalas," offers a unique camping experience near the Great Ocean Walk. Located in Cape Otway, this park is surrounded by lush eucalyptus forests and is a haven for wildlife, including koalas, kangaroos, and various bird species.

The park offers a range of powered and unpowered campsites alongside cabins and safari tents tucked away under shady manna gum tree. Facilities include restrooms, hot showers, a camp kitchen, and a communal BBQ area. If you're travelling during peak season you're in for a treat because the outdoor theatre, Frank’s world-famous wood-fired pizza and Bimbi fish and chip nights run during this time. The park also features a playground and bike hire, making it ideal for families.

The Great Ocean Walk is the star attraction here, offering stunning coastal views and diverse landscapes. Whether you choose to tackle the entire 8 day walk or take a day hike to explore a shorter section, you'll be rewarded with incredible scenery and a sense of adventure.

Blanket Bay Campground

One of the more rustic camping sites on your journey, Blanket Bay Campground offers unpowered sites and a secluded camping experience. It's ideal for those looking to unplug and escape the crowds.

The small beach here offers calm waters protected by an intertidal reef and sheltered by the hills of Cape Otway. Wander between intertidal rockpools to discover unique underwater life or bring a snorkel to explore beneath the surface on hot summer days. There are also great fishing spots here

Explore the Katabanook Walk, a short trail meandering between tall, twisted Manna Gum trees and ferns. It's easy to spot local wildlife, including kangaroos, echidnas, and various bird species here, so keep your eyes peeled.

This Great Ocean Road camping area has basic facilities, including drop toilets and BBQ areas.

Aire River Campsites

Approximately 3 hours from Melbourne you'll find the Aire River. There are two campgrounds here – the East and West campsites – both located within the Great Otway National Park and accessible via the Great Ocean Road or Lavers Hill. The unpowered campsites here are ideal for adventurous campers wanting to connect with nature.

Riverside camping means you'll wake up to the sounds of the river and surrounding bushland. Spend your days here canoeing, fishing, and bird watching, or head to the swells of Glenaire Beach to surf the perfect break.

Facilities at both camping sites include pit toilets, picnic tables, and fire pits. There’s no drinking water here, so make sure you bring your own.

Great Otway National Park

The Great Otway National Park is a vast and diverse area offering numerous camping options and a wealth of natural attractions. Here are some of the top campgrounds within the park:

• Stevensons Falls Campground: Located near the picturesque Stevensons Falls, this campground hides amidst lush rainforests. Facilities include pit toilets and picnic tables. Explore the walking track to Stevensons Falls, which cascades down a series of rock ledges creating a stunning natural spectacle.
• Dandos Campground: Situated on the banks of the Gellibrand River, Dandos Campground is a peaceful riverside retreat. The campground offers basic facilities, including pit toilets and fire pits. It's an excellent spot for fishing, swimming, and exploring the nearby walking trails.
• Lake Elizabeth: Known for its tranquil beauty, Lake Elizabeth is a hidden gem within the Great Otway National Park. The campground offers basic facilities and is a great base for exploring the surrounding forest. A highlight is the walk to Lake Elizabeth, where you can see the stunning reflections of the forest in the calm waters and possibly spot a platypus.

Marengo Holiday Park, Apollo Bay

Located just 2 kilometres from Apollo Bay, Marengo Holiday Park offers a fantastic coastal camping experience with stunning ocean views. The park is at the edge of the Marengo Reefs Marine Sanctuary, giving you easy access to beautiful beaches and excellent snorkelling and diving opportunities.

Marengo Holiday Park offers a variety of accommodation options, including powered and unpowered caravan parks, and cabins. Facilities include clean restrooms, hot showers, a camp kitchen, and BBQ areas. The park is also pet-friendly, so your four-legged family members can join the fun.

While staying at Marengo, be sure to explore the charming coastal town of Apollo Bay, with a range of shops, cafes, and restaurants. The nearby Great Ocean Walk and Otway Fly Treetop Adventures are also worth a visit for adventurous travelers.

Surfside Holiday Park, Warrnambool

Surfside Holiday Park in Warrnambool combines beachside camping with urban convenience. Located right on the beachfront, you'll have beautiful views of the Southern Ocean and easy access to the city's amenities.

The park offers caravan parks and cabins. Facilities include modern restrooms, hot showers, a laundry facility, and kitchen. The park is also pet-friendly, allowing you to bring your dogs along for the adventure.

While staying at Surfside, be sure to explore Warrnambool's natural beauty and attractions, such as the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, Lake Pertobe Adventure Playground, and the famous whale-watching spots. Nearby Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve is also a must-visit to see native wildlife in a dormant volcano setting.

Killarney Beach Camping Reserve

Killarney Beach Camping Reserve offers a relaxed camping experience near the fishing village of Port Fairy. Located by the sheltered beach, you'll have swimming and fishing on your doorstep, and easy access to the boutique restaurants and cafes of Port Fairy.

Take a heritage walk through Port Fairy's character-filled streets to admire grand 19-century building, whitewashed cottages, and old stone churches. If you're a music lover, plan your holiday in March to catch the Port Fairy Folk Festival, one of Australia's largest music festivals.

Facilities here include powered and unpowered sites, a camp kitchen, BBQ areas, and clean restrooms.

The Jan Juc Caravan Park, Bells Beach

Located near the famous Bells Beach, Jan Juc Caravan Park is a surfer's paradise set in an oasis of eucalyptus trees. It's a great choice if you're looking for a peaceful campsite with access to beaches and coastal walks.

The caravan park is also close to the surf shops and laid-back atmosphere of Torquay, where you'll find all the dining, shopping, and cultural experiences you could wish for. If you've in town for the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach (a renowned stop on the World Surf League Championship Tour), make sure you book early as surfers from all over flock to the area for the competition.

The park offers powered and unpowered sites, as well as cabins. Amenities include a pool, camp kitchen, BBQ areas, and clean restrooms, and is known for being well maintained.

Planning your Great Ocean Road route

If you're picking up your Star RV motorhome rental in Melbourne, head west along the coast to explore these key stops:

• Torquay: The surf capital of Australia and the official start of the Great Ocean Road.
• Anglesea: Known for its beautiful beaches and golf course with resident kangaroos.
• Lorne: A popular seaside town with great cafes, shops, and the stunning Erskine Falls.
• Apollo Bay: The gateway to the Great Otway National Park and a great spot for seafood.
• Port Campbell: Home to the Twelve Apostles, and other stunning rock formations.
• Warrnambool: A vibrant city with plenty to see and do, including whale watching in season.
• Port Fairy: A charming historic town with beautiful beaches and a lively arts scene.

Starting your journey in South Australia? Not to worry. Pick up your motorhome hire in Adelaide and tick these destinations off in reverse.

When to drive the Great Ocean Road

The Great Ocean Road can be visited year-round, but the best time to go is during the warmer months from October to April. This period offers the best weather for outdoor activities, although it can be busier during school holidays and peak tourist season.

Every time we explore the diverse camping sites along the Great Ocean Road, we're reminded of the endless possibilities that await those who dare to roam. With the flexibility and freedom of a Star RV motorhome, every corner of this iconic route becomes a gateway to adventure, whether you're captivated by coastal sunsets or pristine rainforest camping spots.

So why delay?

Start crafting your own Star Story today. Book your Australian motorhome hire, map out your route, and set off on a journey that promises unforgettable moments and lifelong memories.

The Great Ocean Road is calling—will you answer?