Best caravan parks on the Great Ocean Road: 6 top picks

The best caravan parks on the Great Ocean Road span from Anglesea to Lorne, Cumberland River to the Otways hinterland. Based on thousands of Camplify trips, these 6 parks stand out for ocean views, waterfront access, and proximity to the Twelve Apostles. Expect powered sites, pet-friendly zones, and camp kitchens across most venues.

Browse campervans and caravans for hire in Great Ocean Road if you already know your dates.

The Great Ocean Road pulls in travellers year-round, but January sees availability collapse along the entire route. Camplify trip data shows 32% of hirers head here in summer, with family groups (31%) dominating school holiday periods. Average trip duration sits at 5.9 days, which matches the classic Melbourne to Warrnambool route with Otways detours.

Camplify's community of owners and hirers consistently recommend booking westbound from Melbourne first, then looping back through the Grampians via the inland highway. That way you swap vehicles in Geelong if needed, rather than backtracking the coast. The route most hirers follow: Torquay, Bells Beach, Anglesea, Lorne, Erskine Falls, Kennett River, Apollo Bay, Cape Otway, the Twelve Apostles, Port Campbell, Warrnambool, and Port Fairy. Some extend to Mount Gambier or Adelaide afterwards.

One thing Camplify travellers heading here in January should know: drinking water can be scarce during February heatwaves. Fill your tanks before leaving Melbourne, and top up at every campsite with potable water. Road closures and flooding hit the coast in summer storms, so check VicRoads before you leave. Don't assume you can pull over for overnight parking — some stretches restrict it, and rangers patrol during peak season. You must book campsites ahead, especially January through February. Our Great Ocean Road: 6-day local insider itinerary covers the timing and detours worth taking.

Coastal caravan parks on the Great Ocean Road

Wye River Foreshore Park

Wye River Foreshore Park sits right on the beach, 15 minutes west of Lorne. This is the most popular park among Camplify travellers on the entire Great Ocean Road, and feedback from real Camplify hirers centres on the waterfront sites and direct beach access. Powered sites face the ocean, with grassed areas for annexes and awnings. The camp kitchen gets busy during school holidays, but the amenities block stays clean and the dump point is easy to navigate even with larger caravans.

Camplify owners who know this area suggest booking six months ahead for January. The park fills fast, and the beachfront sites disappear first. If you're travelling with pets, check directly with the park — some sites allow dogs outside peak season. Wye River township is small, just a general store and a cafe, but the surf beach is excellent for families. Hirers rate the location for proximity to Kennett River (koalas guaranteed) and the Otway Fly Treetop Walk, both 20 minutes west.

The foreshore walk stretches three kilometres east towards Separation Creek, and Camplify travellers recommend it for sunset. Bring a torch for the walk back. If you're combining the Great Ocean Road with the Grampians, this park makes a good halfway stop on day two or three. Our Best Great Ocean Road Trip guide details the timing for each leg.

Quick facts:

• Distance: 150km southwest of Melbourne

• Best for: Families, couples seeking beachfront sites

• Key facilities: Powered sites, camp kitchen, amenities block, dump point, beach access

• Book ahead: January, Easter, and all school holidays

Can't tow? Get a campervan delivered to Wye River Foreshore Park.

Stevenson Falls Campground

Stevenson Falls Campground is free, unpowered, and tucked into the Otways rainforest 20 minutes inland from Apollo Bay. This is a local secret that Camplify travellers stumble onto when the coastal parks are booked out. The campground has drop toilets, picnic tables, and firepits, but no showers or power. It's first-come, first-served, and sites fill by lunchtime during January. Arrive early or have a backup plan.

Stevenson Falls sits 300 metres from the campground via a short walking track. The falls run year-round, fed by Otways rainfall, and the forest canopy keeps the area cool even in summer. Popular among Camplify travellers for sightseeing and hiking, this spot works as a detour between Apollo Bay and the Twelve Apostles. The dirt access road is graded but narrow — large caravans (over 20 feet) should check clearance before committing. Grey nomads favour this spot for the quiet and the birdlife.

Feedback from Camplify's community of owners and hirers highlights the lack of mobile reception. Download maps before you arrive, and let someone know your timeline if you're travelling solo. Fires are allowed in designated pits outside the fire danger period, but bring your own firewood — gathering isn't permitted in national parks. If you're planning the Adelaide to Melbourne via Great Ocean Road: complete guide, this campground makes a good overnight stop before heading east to Lorne.

Quick facts:

• Distance: 190km southwest of Melbourne, 20km inland from Apollo Bay

• Best for: Grey nomads, couples seeking bush camping

• Key facilities: Drop toilets, picnic tables, firepits (no power, no showers)

• Book ahead: Not required (first-come, first-served)

Can't tow? Get a campervan delivered to Stevenson Falls Campground.

Great Ocean Road caravan parks near Lorne and Cumberland River

Cumberland River Holiday Park

Cumberland River Holiday Park sits five kilometres east of Lorne, right where the Cumberland River meets the ocean. Camplify travellers consistently rate this park for waterfront sites and the walking track that follows the river upstream into the bush. Powered sites line the riverbank, with grassed areas for awnings and plenty of shade from eucalypts. The park has a camp kitchen, modern amenities, and a dump point that's accessible for larger rigs.

This is the second most popular park among Camplify hirers on the Great Ocean Road, and bookings peak around Easter and the January school holidays. The beach here is quieter than Lorne's main stretch, and the river mouth is safe for kids to paddle. Camplify owners who know the area suggest this park for families who want ocean access without the Lorne crowds. The drive into Lorne takes five minutes, and the town has cafes, supermarkets, and a bottle shop for restocking.

Feedback from hirers highlights the bird activity at dawn — kookaburras, rosellas, and cockatoos are regulars. If you're travelling with pets, the park allows dogs in some sites outside peak season, but check directly when booking. The park also has cabins if you're swapping between caravan and accommodation mid-trip. Our Camplify Uncovered: iconic Great Ocean Road adventure covers how to structure a multi-stop Great Ocean Road trip with vehicle swaps.

Quick facts:

• Distance: 145km southwest of Melbourne, 5km east of Lorne

• Best for: Families, pet owners (off-peak)

• Key facilities: Powered sites, camp kitchen, amenities block, dump point, river and beach access

• Book ahead: January, Easter, all school holidays

Can't tow? Get a campervan delivered to Cumberland River Holiday Park.

Farm to Sea Camp

Farm to Sea Camp operates on a working sheep farm five kilometres inland from Apollo Bay. This is a private campground with unpowered and powered sites, plus a small glamping setup for those who want a roof. The farm runs right to the edge of the Otways forest, and the owners offer farm tours during lambing season (July to September). Camplify hirers who've stayed here rate it for the rural setting and the chance to disconnect from coastal crowds.

Sites are grassed paddocks with basic amenities — toilets, showers, and a covered BBQ area. No camp kitchen, but there's a communal firepit and the owners sell firewood on-site. The farm allows pets if they're leashed, and kids can interact with the sheep during feeding times. This spot works as a detour if the coastal caravan parks are full, or if you want a night inland before heading to the Twelve Apostles.

Camplify travellers heading here in summer should know that flies can be persistent during the day. Pack a fly net if you're sensitive. The farm sits close to Mariners Lookout and the Maits Rest Rainforest Walk, both 15 minutes by car. Apollo Bay is a five-minute drive for supplies, cafes, and fuel. Popular among Camplify travellers for road trip stopovers and as a base for exploring the Otways hinterland, this park suits hirers who prefer farmland over beachfront.

Quick facts:

• Distance: 185km southwest of Melbourne, 5km inland from Apollo Bay

• Best for: Families, couples seeking a farm stay

• Key facilities: Powered and unpowered sites, toilets, showers, BBQ area, pet-friendly

• Book ahead: January and Easter

Can't tow? Get a campervan delivered to Farm to Sea Camp.

Camping on the Great Ocean Road near Anglesea

Anglesea Campground

Anglesea Campground sits within the Anglesea Heath conservation area, three kilometres from the township and surf beach. This is a Parks Victoria site with powered and unpowered options, drop toilets, and picnic tables. No showers, no camp kitchen. Anglesea Campground is popular among Camplify travellers for touring and surfing, and the heath walk starts directly from the campground entrance.

The campground fills during school holidays and long weekends, but outside peak season you'll often have space to spread out. Kangaroos graze around the sites at dusk, and the coastal heath supports native orchids and banksias. Camplify hirers rate this spot for proximity to Bells Beach (10 minutes west) and Point Addis (15 minutes west), both world-class surf breaks. Anglesea township has cafes, a supermarket, and a bakery that locals queue for on weekends.

Feedback from Camplify's community of owners and hirers highlights the lack of mobile reception in some parts of the campground. Download your Great ocean road itinerary guide before you arrive, and plan your next leg while you still have service in town. Fires are allowed in designated firepits outside the fire danger period, but you must bring your own firewood. If you're starting the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne, this campground makes a solid first-night stop before heading deeper west.

Quick facts:

• Distance: 100km southwest of Melbourne, 3km from Anglesea township

• Best for: Surfers, couples, families seeking coastal heath access

• Key facilities: Powered and unpowered sites, drop toilets, picnic tables, firepits (no showers)

• Book ahead: School holidays, Easter, long weekends

Can't tow? Get a campervan delivered to Anglesea Campground.

Joanna Beach Campground

Joanna Beach Campground (also known as Johanna Beach) sits 30 kilometres south of Lavers Hill, at the end of a winding road through farmland and forest. This is a remote, unpowered campground with drop toilets, picnic tables, and nothing else. No power, no showers, no mobile reception. Joanna Beach is a rugged surf beach with dangerous rips and strong swells — swimming is not recommended, but the beach walks and rock pools are excellent.

Camplify travellers who make the detour here do it for the solitude and the coastal scenery. The campground sits on a grassy terrace above the beach, with sites scattered among low scrub. Kangaroos and echidnas are common, and the Southern Ocean views stretch for kilometres. This spot works as an overnight stop if you're taking the inland route from the Twelve Apostles back towards Colac, or as a detour from the main Great Ocean Road route.

Feedback from hirers highlights the rough access road — caravans over 20 feet should check clearance before committing, and the final descent is steep. Arrive with full water tanks and expect no services. Fires are allowed in designated pits outside the fire danger period, but bring firewood. The nearest town is Lavers Hill (30 minutes), which has a general store and fuel. If you're combining the Great Ocean Road with a visit to the Grampians, our Best caravan parks near Geelong guide covers the return route via the inland highway.

Quick facts:

• Distance: 245km southwest of Melbourne, 30km south of Lavers Hill

• Best for: Couples, grey nomads seeking remote coastal camping

• Key facilities: Drop toilets, picnic tables, firepits (no power, no showers, no water)

• Book ahead: Not required (first-come, first-served)

Can't tow? Get a campervan delivered to Joanna Beach Campground.

Plan your Great Ocean Road caravan trip

The best caravan parks on the Great Ocean Road book out fast during summer and school holidays. Camplify trip data shows January demand peaks at 35 times higher than any other month, so secure your park bookings before you hire your van. Browse campervans and caravans for hire on Camplify, with pickup in Melbourne or delivery direct to your first stop. For more route planning, check out our Great Ocean Road trip with the family behind @vanlifestraya for tips on travelling with kids.