Enjoy Victoria’s Great Ocean Road Without Crowds at Aire River Campgrounds

You heard it here first – it’s possible to visit the Great Ocean Road without the crowds! The Aire River Campgrounds are minutes away from clifftop views and beach hiking – time to get your toes sandy!

We Are Explorers acknowledges that this adventure is located on the traditional Country of the Eastern Maar and Wadawurrung people who have occupied and cared for the lands, waters, and their inhabitants for thousands of years. We pay our respects to them as the Traditional Custodians and recognise that sovereignty was never ceded.

Quick Overview

Aire River East and Aire River West campgrounds are located on Victoria’s Great Ocean Road and there’s plenty more to do there than just enjoy the serenity! With 6km of walking track, secluded beaches, and plenty of wildlife to spot, it’s amazing we don’t hear more about this place.

Driving from Melbourne, it takes an average of three hours to reach.

About Aire River Campgrounds

Although the Great Ocean Road is home to a ridiculous amount of tourists each year, there are still plenty of lesser-known campgrounds and spots that escape the path of the tourist buses.

These beautiful campgrounds are located roughly a half-hour past Apollo Bay – sitting around three hours outside of Melbourne. Hidden away off the Great Ocean Road, the campgrounds are right on Aire River, a 15-20 minute walk to the exposed beachfront.

Read more: Remember to leave no trace

As it’s further around the coast than many other typical Great Ocean Road spots, the beachfront cops the full force of the open ocean, with the exposed coastline a spectacular backdrop for walking and hiking.

How to Get to Aire River Campgrounds

The Aire River campgrounds (East and West) are situated off the Great Ocean Road, roughly half an hour past Apollo Bay. To get to the campgrounds, turn off the Great Ocean Road at Horden Vale Road and follow that through to the camps.

Often it can be hard to get internet there so make sure to download the map beforehand!

Skill Level

Beginner

If you like a walk, the hiking track from Aire River to Castle Cover is 6km through scrub and along clifftops. There’s some climbing and soft sand to walk on, nothing a beginner won’t be able to handle.

Essential Gear for Aire River Campground

• Warm clothes
• Camping gear (tent, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, pillow)
• Sturdy shoes
• First aid kit (better safe than sorry!)

Read more: Packing list for day hikes

Things to Do at Aire River Campgrounds

Hike Aire River To Castle Cove Lookout

The area has plenty of day hikes to try (and much longer ones like the Great Ocean Walk if you’re keen!) but one of the top picks is the Aire River to Castle Cove Track. The track winds for 6km along the coastline, giving solid views of the cliffs that drop into the waves below.

Read more: The Best Day Hikes in Victoria

Although the track follows the coast well past Castle Cove lookout, it’s a good spot to turn around for a cruisy day hike. Castle Cove is spectacular, with huge cliffs falling into a beach full of big surf.

Photography

One downside of the huge cliffs and wild water is that swimming is off the cards – the beach has no swimming signs for good reason – hefty rips and a super-strong undertow are a genuine danger.

Keep Safe: How To Stay Safe Around Water

But what you lose in wild swimming opportunities you gain in views. Everywhere you look is picture-perfect, especially if you time your visit for sunrise or sunset.

Plus, the area is also well known for its marine wildlife, and if you’re lucky you might even spot a seal or shark swimming about on a clear day!

Read more: Best Photo Spots On The Great Ocean Road

FAQs Aire River Campgrounds

Which of the campgrounds is bigger?

Aire River West Campground is bigger than the one at Aire River East.

Can you take caravans to Aire River Campgrounds?

Yes, each campground has spots suitable for caravans, camper trailers, and tents. Note that all the sites at both campgrounds are unpowered.

Are bookings required?

Yes! All campsites need to be booked before arrival. And if you can’t make it, make sure to let Parks Victoria know so someone else can take your place.

Can you go kayaking at these campgrounds?

Yep! The best campsite to choose for kayaking is Aire River East Campground. There’s a convenient spot to launch from by the bridge on the river.

More Things to Do on the Great Ocean Road

• The Surf Coast Walk Along The Great Ocean Road Will Send You Round The Twist
• Unlock The Great Ocean Road’s Lesser-Known Adventures
• Hidden in Plain Sight – Exploring Deeper Into the Great Ocean Road
• Why I Drove The Great Ocean Road 190 Times

Table of contents image by @ash.wild.photography