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Length: 12.4km
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Duration: 5hrs
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Grade: 3
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Style: One Way
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Start: Aire River information shelter
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End: Johanna Beach camp ground
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Location: Great Otway National Park
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Closest Town: Hordern Vale
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Distance from CBD: 210km
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State: VIC
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Latitude: -38.8014161
Longitude: 143.4775233
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2WD Access
4WD Access
Public Transport
Bitumen Road
Gravel Road
Steep Road
Winding Road
Speed Bumps
Vehicle Ford
Entry Fee
Large Car Park
Small Car Park
Accessible Parking
Accessible Toilet
Public Toilets
Drinking Water
Untreated Water
Picnic Shelter
Picnic Table
BBQ Facilities
Campfire Pit
Camping Area
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Great Otway National Park...
Select items to indicate features found along the trail.
Concrete Path
Timber Boardwalk
Gravel Path
Sandy Trail
Rough Trail
Undefined Trail
Prams & Strollers
Manual Wheelchair
Motorised Wheelchair
Bicycle Trail
Mountain Bike Trail
Historic Rail Trail
Dog Friendly
Urban Walk
Coast & Beach
Historic Lighthouse
Waterfalls & Lakes
Rainforest Walk
Goldfields & Mining
Heritage Walk
Aboriginal Art
Alpine Region
Alpine Huts
Exposed Ledges
Rock Scrambling
Steep Terrain
Bush Bashing
River Crossings
Scenic Viewpoints
Well Marked
Drinking Water
Untreated Water
Fishing Spots
Swimming Spots
Overnight Campsites
Trail Running
Horse Riding
Hike Summary
The Aire River to Johanna Beach hike is aan impressively satisfying hike through diverse terrain to beautiful Johanna Beach. Pass through heathland with spring wildflowers and experience awesome sea views.
From Aire River the track heads inland for a while, climbing up and around the next headland through spinifex forests, and then continues along the coastal path with sweeping views of the rugged coastline. Expect some ups and downs with a little climbing before you get to Castle Cove. Located on a spectacular bend of the Great Ocean Road at Glenaire, Castle Cove is a beautiful beach surrounded by towering cliffs which have high archaeological significance, as dinosaur fossils have been found here.
From Castle Cove the track winds its way along the cliff tops, through heath-lands and forests, occasionally emerging to give breathtaking and extensive views along the coast. The forest here is an interesting mixture of manna gums, spring wildflowers and magnificent expanses of grass trees. Make sure you keep an eye out above for Peregrine Falcons.
Eventually you will emerge onto the broad expanse of Johanna Beach. This beautiful beach is one of the best in Australia with superb views and enormous crashing surf.
About the region
Great Otway National Park stretches from Torquay, along the world-famous Great Ocean Road and up through the Otways hinterland. Discover windswept coastlines and breathtaking waterfalls in tall mountain forests, walk the iconic Great Ocean Walk, immerse yourself in the Otway Lightstation's history, or surf some of the best breaks in Australia. Enjoy the great outdoors and explore the wonders of the Great Otway National Park. Great Otway National Park is in southern Victoria, Australia. It covers rugged coastland, beaches and the mountains of the Otway Ranges. Waterfalls dot the park, including the 3 cascades of Triplet Falls. Boardwalks lead through temperate rainforest at Maits Rest. The 1848 Cape Otway Lightstation perches on cliffs overlooking Bass Strait. Great Ocean Walk leads through the park to the Twelve Apostles rock formations.
Getting there
From Melbourne take the Princes Highway to Geelong, then continue through to Colac. Turn south along the C155 through the scenic Otway Ranges to Lavers Hill. Turn left onto the Great Ocean Road. You will need to leave a car at Johanna Beach, the end of the hike.
The start point is located at Aire River West. Access is via Horden Vale Road, Horden Vale. This road is narrow in sections and crosses Aire River on a single lane timber bridge. The road and bridge are not suitable for large buses.
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.
Tips
Be mindful of the tides and weather alpong Johanna beach and the Johanna River as this can be a dangerious section if the conditions are against you.
GPX File
Max elevation: 125 m
Min elevation: 3 m
Total climbing: 465 m
Total descent: -453 m
Hikes Nearby
One thought on “Aire River to Johanna Beach (12.4km)”
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An impressive walk away from the more frequently visited tourist spots on the Great Ocean Rd.
Small correction to closest town; Horden Vale is a rural farming district. Closest town (food and fuel) would probably be Lavers Hill.
Recently hiked from The Gables Lookout carpark (near Moonlight Head) to Ryans Den camping ground and then back again. Said to be the hardest section of the GOR Walk. Magnificent scenery, well worth a visit if looking for a challenging day hike.