Aire Crossing Campground | Free Otways Rainforest Camping on the Aire River

Deep within the magical cool temperate rainforest of the Great Otway National Park, Aire Crossing Campground offers a truly immersive and secluded free camping experience. This beautiful, rustic bush camp is set in a stunning fern-filled gully right on the banks of the pristine Aire River. It is a destination for true nature lovers and self-sufficient campers who want to disconnect from the world and reconnect with the wilderness. The campground provides a collection of individual, well-spaced sites scattered amongst the towering Mountain Ash and ancient Myrtle Beech trees, creating a serene atmosphere of privacy and tranquility. Waking up to the symphony of the forest—the calls of rosellas and whipbirds, and the gentle sound of the river—is a key part of its profound appeal.

This is a back-to-basics campground that rewards preparation with an unforgettable adventure. The Aire River itself is a major highlight, a crystal-clear waterway that is perfect for a chilly dip on a summer’s day or trying your luck fishing for Blackfish and Brown Trout. The surrounding area is a hiker’s paradise, with numerous walking tracks weaving through the lush forest, leading to hidden waterfalls and revealing the rich biodiversity of the Otways. Wildlife sightings are common, with wallabies, koalas, and even the elusive platypus in the river being potential encounters for quiet observers. While the campground feels a world away from anywhere, it’s located centrally within the Otways, making it a strategic, albeit remote, base for exploring attractions like the Otway Fly Treetop Adventures and the wild coastline at Johanna Beach. For an authentic, budget-free escape into one of Victoria’s most enchanting rainforests, Aire Crossing is a top-tier bush camp.

Campground Information

• Name: Aire Crossing campsite
• Address: Aire River Crossing Track, Great Otway National Park, Johanna VIC 3238

Location Coordinates

• GPS: -38.70268256193781, 143.47806657172146

Website

• Website: This is a free campground within a National Park. Information is available on the Parks Victoria website.

Location Map

Site Details

• Location: Secluded rainforest camp on the Aire River in the Great Otway National Park.
• Site Suitable For: Tents, Swags, and small Off-road Camper Trailers. Not suitable for caravans or large vehicles.
• Road Access: Unsealed gravel/dirt road. Can be narrow, steep, and very slippery when wet. 4WD is often recommended.
• Site Surface: Natural dirt and leaf litter base.
• Camping Permitted: Yes, free camping. No bookings, first-come, first-served.
• Maximum Overnight Stays: Please observe Parks Victoria guidelines.
• Facilities: Non-flush toilets, picnic tables, shared fire pits. No showers or power.
• Potable Water: No. You must bring all your own drinking water (or treat river water).
• Mobile Phone Coverage: Non-existent. A personal locator beacon (PLB) is advised.
• TV Reception: Not applicable.
• Onsite Public Toilets: Yes, non-flush (pit) toilets.
• Rubbish Bins: No. This is a strict carry-in, carry-out site.
• Open Fires: Permitted in designated fire pits only, subject to seasonal fire restrictions. BYO firewood.
• Generator Use: Not permitted.
• Number of Sites Available: Small campground with around 5-6 designated sites.
• Essentials to Bring: Drinking water, firewood, rubbish bags, toilet paper, insect repellent, waterproof gear.
• Pet Friendly: No. Pets are not permitted in the Great Otway National Park.

Activities

• Fishing: Fishing for Blackfish and Brown Trout in the Aire River.
• Short Walks: Numerous rainforest walks and tracks surround the campground.
• Wildlife Watching: A prime location for spotting platypus, koalas, and a wide variety of forest birds.

Local Amenities

• Local Pubs:
  • Lavers Hill Roadhouse & Tavern (Lavers Hill) – Approx. 20 km
  • Apollo Bay Hotel (Apollo Bay) – Approx. 35 km
  • Forrest Brewing Company (Forrest) – Approx. 40 km
• Places to Eat:
  • The Black Snail Cafe (Lavers Hill) – Approx. 20 km
  • Yatzies (Lavers Hill) – Approx. 20 km
• Local Attractions:
  • Otway Fly Treetop Adventures – Approx. 15 km
  • Triplet Falls & Hopetoun Falls – Approx. 20 km
  • Melba Gully – Approx. 15 km
  • Johanna Beach – Approx. 20 km
• Nearest Caravan Parks:
  • Bimbi Park – Camping Under Koalas (Cape Otway) – Approx. 35 km
  • Apollo Bay Holiday Parks – Approx. 35 km
• Next Free Camps:
  • Stevensons Falls Campground – Approx. 30 km
  • Beauchamp Falls Campground – Approx. 30 km
• Nearest Dump Points:
  • Apollo Bay Public Dump Point – Approx. 35 km
• Nearest Petrol Station:
  • Lavers Hill – Approx. 20 km
  • Apollo Bay – Approx. 35 km
• Drinking Water Resupply:
  • Available at the Visitor Information Centre in Apollo Bay.
• Public Toilets:
  • Available onsite (non-flush).

Seasonal Weather Forecast

• Summer (Dec-Feb): Mild to warm and can be humid in the forest, averaging 13-23°C.
• Autumn (Mar-May): Cool and calm, often with beautiful misty mornings, averaging 9-19°C.
• Winter (Jun-Aug): Cold and wet, the peak season for waterfalls and fungi. Averaging 6-13°C.
• Spring (Sep-Nov): Cool and brisk, with a mix of sun and showers as the forest bursts into life, averaging 8-17°C.