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Aire River West Campground
Advanced bookings and payment at Aire River West are required year-round. Aire River West Campground has 40 campsites on offer. All campsites accommodate a maximum of six people and are also unpowered. Campsites 1-5, 17-23, 27-40 are suitable for large caravans. Campsites 7-11 can only cater to smaller caravans and sites 12-16 are only suitable for tents. All other sites are suitable for tents, camper trailers, campervans and recreational vehicles.
A small gravel ramp on the western banks of the river is perfect for launching a canoe or kayak. Explore upstream and discover the wetlands and floodplains birdlife including swans, ducks, egrets, swamphens and the endangered Hooded Plover on Glenaire Beach.
Fishing is also exceptional here. Choose between the calm estuary waters of Aire River or the wild ocean of Glenaire Beach. Catch bream, salmon, mullet, trout, mulloway and snapper too.
Glenaire Beach is a 15-minute walk away. This unpatrolled and rugged beach is best for experienced surfers. A little further to west, Johanna Beach offers similar rewards.
Things to do
Canoeing and Kayaking
Great Ocean Walk
Fishing
How to get there
Aire River West Campground
When you're there
Need to know
Aire River West Campground
Accessibility
The day visitor area is located on the west side of Aire River adjacent to the campground. There is also a day visitor area on the east side of the river but there are no accessible toilets on this side.
There is designated parking on a level compacted gravel surface very close to the picnic area. There are no designated disabled parking bays.
The picnic area has a number of picnic tables and a rotunda scattered on a flat grassed area adjacent to the camping ground. These have bench seats on two sides and sufficient underneath space at the ends for wheelchairs or strollers. There are also some fireplaces with barbecue hotplates.
The day visitor area is close to the west bank of the Aire River. The river can be crossed in wheelchairs and strollers via the vehicle bridge. The ocean beach is not accessible by vehicle or by wheelchair.
There is a unisex accessible toilet and standard toilet cubicles that service both the campground and the day visitor area. A compacted gravel path of approximately 100 metres leads from the day visitor area to the toilets. This path is on reasonably level ground except for the last 25 metres, which has a slope of approximately 1:14. Drop off parking is available within 30 metres of the toilets if required.
Be prepared and stay safe
- No solid fuel fires permitted.
- Fuel stoves or gas barbecues are preferred for cooking.
- Bring your own drinking water.
- Come and enjoy the peace and quiet – please, no generators.
Aire River West Campground is prone to regular flooding. Please check for any change of conditions before you depart for alerts and updates.
Great Otway National Park is in the South West fire district. Bushfires can occur during the warmer months. It is your responsibility to check current and forecast weather conditions. Campfires cannot be lit on days of Total Fire Ban, however gas cookers can be used for preparing food.
Check the Fire Danger Rating and for days of Total Fire Ban at emergency.vic.gov.au, on the Vic Emergency App or call the Vic Emergency Hotline 1800 226 226.
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.
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Great Otway National Park
Closure of Gentle Annie Track - Great Otway National Park
Gentle Annie Track, located in the Great Otway National Park will be temporarily closed due to Planned Burning operations in the area.Effective 6-5-24 until 13-5-24.Delayneys Track Closed
Delayneys Track is closed until further notice.
Temporary park closures Great Otway National Park
Sections of the Great Otway National Park will be temporarily closed at night from Monday 15th April 2024 through to June 1st 2024 to allow for the safe delivery of park conservation work. Temporary closed areas will be clearly sign posted. All campgrounds will remain open during this operation. For further information please contact Parks Victoria on 13 19 63 or email westregiondcp@parks.vic.gov.auYan wirring mirr Trail Upgrades
The Yan wirring mirr walking trail is having some essential trial maintenance and repair work done over the next 6 weeks during this time it may be necessary to close the walking trail for periods to ensure public safety. -
Other issues
Sharps Campground permanently closed
Permanently closed due to environmental and safety risks. -
Lemonade Creek Walk (Great Otway National Park)
Lemonade Creek Walking Track Closure
Due to multiple unsafe bridges the Lemonade Creek Walking Track will be closed indeffinately -
Aire Crossing Campground (Great Otway National Park, Aire River Heritage River)
Youngs Creek Track Closed Great Otway National Park
Following recent rainfall and current conditions, Youngs Creek track within the Great Otway National Park is currently closed.Safety for our visitors and protection of the environment has led to this decision. The nearby Triplet Falls and Aire Crossing visitor sites remain open along with the tracks leading to them. -
Notices Affecting Multiple Sites
Erskine Falls lower lookout closure
The lower lookout at Erskine Falls will be temporarily closed to allow for infrastructure upgrades.The upper lookout is still accessible.Erskine River Walk is available from the bottom end of the walking track in Lorne, however access to the carpark at the top is not possible due to upgrades.Please take your rubbish home
Reminder to campers and visitors to please take your rubbish home. Please do not put rubbish in toilets. Visitors have been placing rubbish in the pit toilets making human waste removal difficult. Parks appreciates your assistance in looking after the Park. -
Jamieson Creek (Great Otway National Park)
Wye Road Closure
Wye Road is temporarily closed to allow for maintenance grading and culvert installation. The Jamieson to Wye River walk is unaffected and remains open. -
Melba Gully Day Visitor Area (Great Otway National Park)
Melba Gully - Large bus access
Melba Gully Walk Track and picnic area is accessible for large coaches. Toilet facilities are available on site -
Maits Rest Rainforest Walk (Great Otway National Park)
Maits Rest Carpark- bus access
Maits Rest Carpark is suitable for small coaster buses only. Large buses or coaches are advised to use Melba Gully walk track near Lavers Hill.