Beauchamp Falls Campground is an Idyllic Free Campground in Victoria’s Otway Forest

Arguably one of the best free camps in Victoria, Beauchamp Falls Campground in the Great Otway National Park offers the perfect nature escape less than three hours from Melbourne. Explorer Elisha shares why it’s her go-to camping spot down the Great Ocean Road.

We Are Explorers acknowledges that this adventure is located on the traditional Country of the Gulidjan and Gadubanud peoples 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

Less than three hours drive southwest of Melbourne, Beauchamp Falls Campground in the Great Otway National Park provides everything you need to be immersed in nature for a weekend. You’ll find waterfalls, walking trails, and towering trees within a short distance (plus, it’s dog-friendly too!).

Beauchamp Falls Campground Facts

Duration from Melbourne: 2 hours 45 minutes
Distance from Melbourne: 203km
Nearest town: Beech Forest (nearest major town is Apollo Bay)

About Beauchamp Falls Campground

Surrounded by lofty trees and rolling hills that end eventually down at the Great Ocean Road, Beauchamp Falls Campground is one of the best free camps in Victoria. At under three hours drive from the city, it’s the perfect place to escape the daily grind and unwind amongst the fresh air of the Otways for the weekend.

Read more: 13 Trails & Waterfalls in the Otways, Victoria

Since its upgrade, the campground boasts flat, spacious sites, each with a fire pit and views across the tree-covered hills. Park your camper in one of the sites and place your camp chair facing the view, and you’ve got yourself a ripper nature retreat for a total of zero dollars.

Perhaps the real highlight of the camp is that it’s also located at the trailhead of the Beauchamp Falls walking trail. The 3km return walk leads through the lush Otway rainforest to one of the most idyllic waterfalls you’ll ever see – a wide curtain of water falling over a fern-covered ridge into a pool below; just magic. Plus, there’s plenty to see within a short drive too!

Read more: Remember to leave no trace

Beauchamp Falls History

Gulidjan and Gadubanud peoples are the Traditional Custodians of the Otway region. They have occupied the rainforest, estuaries, and coastline of the Otways for hundreds of generations.

The Beauchamp Falls Campground was upgraded in 2021 with spacious marked campsites and new facilities. The surrounding area is mostly a national park (officially declared in 2005), although there are still pockets of operational pine plantation close to the campground (be careful of machinery while driving and exploring in the area).

How to Get to Beauchamp Falls Campground

Beauchamp Falls Campground is less than three hours from Melbourne by car, if taking the most direct route via the M1. For a more scenic drive via the Great Ocean Road, add an extra hour of driving time to go via Torquay and Lorne, turning off at Skenes Creek.

Unfortunately, there’s no public transport that takes you to the campground. The nearest town you can reach by public bus is Apollo Bay, which is serviced by a daily V/Line coach from Geelong.

Where to Eat Near Beauchamp Falls Campground

There’s not a whole lot going on in Beech Forest, the nearest town to the campground, however, you’ll find the Art Reach Gallery Cafe. It’s a slice of old-school country hospitality.

Just five minutes from the campground, you can grab coffee, freshly baked scones, and toasted sandwiches while checking out some of the quirky art and crafts from the local Beech Forest community.

Skill Level

Beginner

Beauchamp Falls is the ideal place to get the hang of camping, even for first-timers. While you’ll feel completely immersed in nature, it’s not too far from the busy Great Ocean Road.

There are fire pits, picnic tables, and drop toilets, but be aware that all sites are unpowered, and you must bring your own drinking water. Phone reception is also weak around the campground, so don’t rely on being able to stream anything (but I suggest taking in the view instead).

Essential Gear for Beauchamp Falls Campground

• Drinking water (there’s no access to potable water)
• Food (you’ll have to drive down to Apollo Bay for the nearest supermarket)
• Sleeping/camping gear – van, tent, swag, and caravan are all welcome
• Good walking shoes
• Day pack
• Camera
• Firewood (not always available to collect around the campsites)
• Swimmers (if you plan on braving the cold water at the falls)

What It’s Like to Visit Beauchamp Falls Campground

As soon as I drove into the campground for the first time, I noticed the incredible open view of the rolling hills into the valley below. There are very few free camps with million-dollar vistas like that! Getting there early is important so you can pick a good spot and set yourself up to maximise those campfire views.

The sites are quite large (can easily fit two vehicles in each site), so squeeze a bunch of your mates in, or if you’re by yourself, give your neighbours some respectable space. There’s more room for tents on the grassy area closer to the day use car park as well. I found that it got quite full by about 5pm, even in winter, so I recommend getting a spot as early as possible.

I’ve visited twice now, once in warmer weather and more recently in winter. I actually loved the gloomy, foggy vibe that cooler temperatures provided, but the waterfall is also ideal for cooling off in summer. So, it’s a beautiful place to camp no matter the season.

Read more: Staying Safe Around Swimming Holes and Waterfalls

In the late afternoon, once all the day trippers had gone, I headed down the walking trail towards Beauchamp Falls. The winding forest path leads deep into the thick rainforest, feeling a world away from the open space of the campground.

With the trickling creek and birds in the treetops, it’s a peaceful place to admire the ancient Otway forest. I could hear the rush of the waterfall before I was even close enough to see it. The final steep steps down can be slippery and muddy after rainfall, but it’s worth your efforts.

There’s an upper viewing platform to see the waterfall, but I recommend continuing down to the bottom of the falls too. Here, you can clamber over rocks to get a closer view or even hop in for a dip (the water will almost certainly be cold).

It’s a deceivingly steep walk back out to the car park, so if it’s a hot day, it’s worth cooling off in the water before heading out.

Using Beauchamp Falls Campground as a base, the surrounding area is the perfect place to go waterfall chasing. Just a 15-minute drive away are both The Redwoods and Hopetoun Falls, which are iconic spots in the Otways and just as picture-book magical as Beauchamp Falls.

Triplet Falls is also about a 20-minute drive away. This is an impressive cascade of water that can be seen from a viewing platform on a 1.8km loop walk.

Tips for Visiting Beauchamp Falls Campground

• If visiting on the weekend, arrive as early as possible. There are no reservations required for camping (yay!), but this does mean it’s first-come first-serve
• The last part of the road into the campground is unsealed, but it’s kept in good condition and suitable for 2WD vehicles
• The unpowered sites are spacious but some differ in size, so it’s not recommended for extra-large caravans or long motorhomes unless you’re sure to arrive early enough to get your pick of the bunch

• The campground is dog-friendly! However, be aware that dogs are not allowed at some of the nearby attractions like Hopetoun Falls and The Redwoods, so plan your trip accordingly
• As always, leave no trace and be a respectful camp neighbour. Rubbish bins aren’t provided, so pack out your rubbish and leave the campsite better than you found it

Beauchamp Falls Campground FAQs

Can you camp at Beauchamp Falls?

Yes! There’s a campground only a short walk from Beauchamp Falls that is free to stay at.

Can you swim at Beauchamp Falls?

Yep, swimming is allowed at the bottom of Beauchamp Falls, but the water is often quite cold, and there are a lot of rocks around, so be cautious.

Are dogs allowed in Beauchamp Falls?

Dogs are welcome at Beauchamp Falls Campground and Beauchamp Falls, but must be kept on a leash, so it’s probably best to keep them out of the water.

How long is the Beauchamp Falls walk?

The trail to Beauchamp Falls is 3km return from the car park and campground.

Find More Adventures on the Great Ocean Road

• 6 Best Great Ocean Road Day Hikes (That Are Worth a Road Trip)
• Chase 5 Waterfalls in 2 Days on the Lorne Waterfall Circuit
• The Surf Coast Walk Along The Great Ocean Road Will Send You Round The Twist
• Hidden in Plain Sight – Exploring Deeper Into the Great Ocean Road
• Enjoy Victoria’s Great Ocean Road Without Crowds at Aire River Campgrounds
• Great Ocean Walk – 5 Days on Victoria’s Iconic Coastline