GazzaS (VIC) replied:

hi Eric

I suggest it depends on whether you want a powered or non-powered site if looking at Caravan Parks. If non-powered then should be able to rock up at all of them. If powered then definitely book.

If looking at state or national parks I don't think you can book (but willing to be corrected).

The 12 Apostles - now 8 & 1/4 - is worth a look, Port Fairy and definitley the Otways.

Cheers

Member - JohnR (Vic)&Moses replied:

Eric, there are numerous camping spots along the coastline. Two formal ones at Peterborough, one at Port Campbell or just near the Twelve (6-8) Apostles is the Princetown Rec reserve which attracts quite a few campers. Heading a bit further East to perhaps the Aire River where there are a number camps.

# Blanket Bay – Otway National Park
Campsites are on the edge of a safe swimming beach. Near Cape Otway, via Lighthouse Road and Blanket Bay Road. Bookings essential in school holidays. Facilities include pit toilets, communal fireplaces and picnic tables. Bring your own water. No dogs.
# Aire River East – Otway National Park
Campsites near the mouth of the Aire River. Access via Hordern Vale Road. Bring your own water. Facilities include pit toilets and fireplaces.
# Johanna Beach – Otway National Park
Campsites set behind the sand dunes at this popular surf beach. Red Johanna Road, Johanna. Off the Great Ocean Road. Suitable for caravans. Toilets, no fires. Dogs on lead.
# Dandos – Otway State Forest
Large campsite on the river bank amongst the bush. Lardners Track, off Colac-Lavers Hill Road at Gellibrand. Toilets, picnic tables, fireplaces (BYO wood), free camping. Dogs on lead.
# Lake Elizabeth camping area – Otway State Forest
Campsite set in beautiful bushland in the heart of the Otways, a short walk from picturesque Lake Eilizabeth. Access via Kaanglang Road from Forrest. Facilities include toilets, fireplaces and picnic tables.
# Stevensons Falls
Large camping area beside the river and within easy walking distance of the beautiful Stevensons Falls. Toilets with disabled access, picnic tables, wood fireplaces (BYO wood). Dogs on lead. Off Skenes Creek-Forest Road at Barramunga south of Colac

Blanket Bay can be very crowded in holiday periods but there are a number of camps near by, going inland or just a few kms away with no facilities though. Some challenging tracks about too sometimes.

## Must sees - The Otway Fly,- tree top walk - detour off the Ocean Road, plenty of rock formations along the coast from West of Peterborough even Childers Cove. Lovely bays just as spectacular as the famous ones. Bay of Islands, Bay of Martyrs and Newfield Bay. Rock formations like The Grotto, London Bridge and Loch Ard Gorge. Forrested areas like Melba Gully and Mates Rest Reserve.

The Otways seem to be notable bogging capability though I seem to have been lucky so far. Plenty of must see spots but they are pretty easily found and fenced off in parts. The forest Nazis like you to walk to everything these days, but if you have difficulty they give you a disabled sticker for the windscreen and say "stay in town".

Bonz and I aren't far away Eric and a few others too. Bonz could probably tell you where to get bogged too.

Member - Sharyn M (VIC) replied:

Hello Eric,
John has given you some great suggestions but in answer to how busy it is along the Great Ocean Rd at Easter, I must say the traffic can be bumper to bumper along most of it, especially if the weather is great. Some parts of the road are now posted at 80Km (Torquay - Apollo Bay) making for a very slow drive. Known Bush camping spots are "first in" although most tracks will provide some sort out of the way camping. Camping at Princetown Res provides showers & toilets, no need to book although you may find some 500 to 600 people. Surf & river fishing & canoeing are a popular pass time here and good base for day trips. Also Melba Gully just outside Lavers Hill is a great place to visit with picnic area and short walk through the forest, at night you can see the glow worms. I'm sure were ever you go you will collect some great memories.

Sharyn

Michael ( Moss Vale NSW) replied:

Did you end up getting your tent Eric??