The best camping in the Otways is in the national parks so you can experience full immersion in this stunning natural setting but there are also commercially operated sites that have power and showers too. With Otways national park camping you can camp by the beach, a lake, a river or ancient forest — take your pick! Below we’ve put together a list of what we think is the best camping in the Otways to help you plan your next Otways National Park camping adventure.
Camping in the Otways is a fantastic way to get away from it all and you have your pick of great spots to pitch a tent — there are lots of places for free camping in the Otways too. Get back to nature, breathe in the fresh air, be surrounded by the local wildlife residents, enjoy sleeping under the stars …… and just slow down and unwind. Bliss!
Otways national park camping is available in both the Great Otway National Park and Otway State Forest. You can get to most sites in the national parks by car. They offer basic facilities and are usually small so there are limited spaces at each — which means you can enjoy the peace & quiet you’re looking for when it comes to Otways national park camping. You’ll need to make a booking for Otways national park camping and fees usually apply for the campsites (in the western end of the Great Otway National Park). You can book through the Parks Victoria website. Free camping in the Otways is available at these locations though (and you don’t need to book):
Download the Otways Camping Guide for detailed information where there is free camping in the Otways and information on the facilities available at the Otways national park camping spots.
Take the next step into nature and set up camp under the stars. There are excellent camping opportunities spread throughout the Great Otway National Park and Otway State Forest. Camp by the beach, a lake, river or ancient forest. Whilst the facilities may be basic, the experience is far from, with the night sky and sounds of encroaching wildlife providing all the entertainment required. Most of these campsite can also be access by car, often located at the end of a Great Ocean Road side trial. The campgrounds are usually small, offering space for 20 tents or less, creating a quiet environment for true nature emersion.
Bookings and fees apply for most of the campsites in the western end of the Great Otway National Park via the Parks Victoria website.
Download an Otways Camping Guide here
Whether you are looking for a family friendly place to park your caravan or a solitary night under the stars there’s something to cater to every need. If the back-to-basic setups of the Parks Victoria campgrounds is not your thing, choose from a range of commercially operated sites with electricity and showers throughout the Otways.
The best overnight hike in the Otways is the Great Ocean Walk. It is a one-way long-distance walk that is 100km long between Apollo Bay and the 12 Apostles — it can be done over 8 days or in smaller sections and you can camp or stay in comfortable accommodation along the way. Our Otways Walks & Waterfalls Guide contains useful information on hiking the Otways. You can download and print a copy to take along with you.
Picnic opportunities abound, with lovely settings at many of the waterfalls as well as Paradise, Melba Gully, Shelly Beach, Triplet Falls, Blanket Bay and Lake Colac to name a few.
Camping at Kennett River will bring you back to basics – after all that’s why you are coming, right? With powered and non-powered campsites, cabins and a super special location across form the main beach and amongst the wildlife you’ll be spoilt by mother nature here.
If you find injured wildlife in our region, please seek advice from Wildlife Victoria. You can call their emergency response line on (03) 8400 7300 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Please do not feed birds while in our region. Feeding native birds is strongly discouraged as it can lead to health problems or even death for the birds, as well as issues such as colony overpopulation and mess and noise for communities.
The Big 4 Wye River offers Cabins and both powered and non-powered campsites. Set on the riverbank this holiday park features all that you expect from a Big 4 – the bouncing pillow, playground, trikes, great amenities.
The Wye Beachfront Campground is just that. With less extra amenities, you’ll not be bothered as you are literally steps from the sand on the beach side of the Great Ocean Road. Open seasonally from November to April.
Find Out More About Otways National Park Camping
The friendly & knowledgeable staff at the local, accredited Visitor Information Centres will be able to provide all the information and advice you need for Otways National Park camping and will be able to fill you in on the best camping spots in the Otways.
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Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Great Ocean Road region the Wadawurrung, Eastern Maar & Gunditjmara. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging. We recognise and respect their unique cultural heritage and the connection to their traditional lands. We commit to building genuine and lasting partnerships that recognise, embrace and support the spirit of reconciliation, working towards self-determination, equity of outcomes and an equal voice for Australia’s first people.
