Aire River East Campground

Current closure: Aire River East Campground is closed from 29 May through 30 October 2026 and is scheduled to reopen on 31 October 2026. Check the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority page before travel because works, weather or fire conditions can change access.

Aire River East is the smaller, more sheltered of the two drive-in campgrounds beside the Aire River in Great Otway National Park. Twenty grassy unpowered sites sit among eucalypts on the east bank, close to calm water for paddling and around a 25-minute walk from the beach. It suits campers who value shade and a quieter footprint more than easy access for a large rig.

Site numbers and rig suitability#

Every site has a maximum capacity of six people, but the vehicle categories differ:

• Sites 3–9 are for tents only.
• Sites 1, 2, 10, 11, 17, 19 and 20 suit tents and camper trailers.
• Sites 12–16 and 18 are listed for tents, camper trailers and caravans.

Do not infer that every caravan-labelled site will suit every combination. The approach includes narrow unsealed gravel and sand roads, and the bridge has a five-tonne load limit. The land manager does not encourage large or heavy vehicles, caravans or vans. Confirm dimensions and total loaded weight before booking.

Facilities and camp rules#

This is a basic campground with non-flush toilets and picnic tables. There are no showers, powered sites or drinking-water taps, so bring all water and take rubbish out. Solid-fuel fires are prohibited and a fuel stove is recommended. Generators are not permitted. Pets are excluded from Great Otway National Park.

Mobile reception should not be relied upon. Save the booking confirmation, map and alerts before entering the park, and bring lighting for the walk between site and toilet after dark.

Access and arrival#

Roads into Aire River can become difficult after rain. The east campground's smaller scale does not make its approach suitable for an oversized rig. Travel slowly on gravel, respect the bridge limit and arrive in daylight so you can assess your booked site without blocking the road. Check-in is after 2pm and check-out is before 11am.

Bookings and payment are required year-round when the campground is open. The official page, not an old blog price, is the source to use for current fees and availability.

River, beach and nearby activities#

The sheltered river is popular for canoeing, kayaking and fishing. The beach walk takes roughly 25 minutes, but river and ocean conditions are unpatrolled and can change quickly. Wear a flotation device when paddling, supervise children and keep clear of unstable banks. Wildlife watching and short walks are also part of the appeal; give animals space and secure food.

What campers say#

Recent coverage is thinner than for major holiday parks, so these are qualified patterns from Road Trip Nomads, We Are Explorers, Tripadvisor and public Google-review summaries on Wanderlog:

• The east bank is commonly described as more intimate and sheltered than the larger west campground.
• Campers value river access and wildlife, including frequent birdlife and occasional koala sightings.
• Smaller sites and tighter approaches are recurring concerns; later-numbered sites are not automatically suitable for large rigs, so use the official site categories above.
• Mosquitoes and sandflies are often mentioned around still water, especially in mild weather.
• Reception is unreliable enough that several travellers advise completing bookings and downloads before arrival.

Conditions vary by season and site. Traveller comments cannot override the current closure or official vehicle restrictions.

Booking Aire River East#

When the campground is open, use the Parks Victoria booking page and select a site compatible with your setup. If your dates are unavailable after reopening, CampWatch can monitor supported dates for cancellations.