Beachside camping (along Sydney to Great Ocean Road)

[protik]

Hey guys, my partner and I looking to drive from Sydney to Great Ocean Road (and back) between Dec-28 to Jan-05 (8-9 days). Wanted to ask if there are any beaches with camping grounds for overnight stay? Other option would be to just sleep in our station wagon but haven't tried that before. We will be doing the coastal drive from Sydney and then return through Hume Hwy. Cheers

[nlt82]

Hi protik

Sounds like a brilliant drive. Lots of options. Most Victorian beaches have camp sites available or a short drive to the next beach. The only issue might be the time of year. Camping along the beach from South Gippsland to the GOR is very popular and most sites advise bookings are essential. If you plan to drive and set up where you like the look of I'd suggest sleeping in the wagon. If you are planning your stop overs then start booking. Not sure what your intentions are but when you get to the end of South Gippsland follow the coast down the Peninsula and get the ferry from Sorrento to Queenscliff. Nicer look at PPB than through Melbourne. Some of my favorites along the Vic coast are Marlo, Meetung, Inverloch, the Prom (worth a look but busy) Port Albert and Phillip Island. Other side of Melbourne I love Lorne and Apollo Bay. Though these locations compliment my love of fishing and time to relax for a swim. Most also have a decent pub! Others can advise if surfing is your game.

[protik]

Sounds like a brilliant drive. Lots of options.

Thanks for the reply. Taking our surfboards indeed!

We have had a bit more time to plan now and considering the following itinerary at the moment:

Day 1: Sydney - Bateman's Bay
Day 2: Bateman's Bay - Mallacoota (3h30m) OR Bateman's Bay - Lake Entrance (5h)
Day 3: Mallacoota - Wilsons Promontory (5h45m) OR Lake Entrance - Wilsons Promontory (3h30m)
Day 4:: Wilsons Promontory - Torquay
Day 5: Torquay - Apollo Bay
Day 6: Cape Otway - Port Campbell
Day 7: Port Campbell - Warrnambool
Day 8: Port Fairy - Melbourne - Wadonga
Day 9: Wadonga - Sydney

However, we decide whether to have a shorter Day 2 (Bateman's Bay - Mallacoota) leading to a longer Day 3 (Mallacoota - Wilsons Promontory) or if we should have a longer Day 2 (Bateman's Bay - Lake Entrance) and have a shorter Day 3 (Lake Entrance - Wilsons Promontory) instead.

Any advice on which option to go for would be much appreciated.

Cheers

[climberman]

Protik, I would give yourself a bit more drive time than 3.30 from Bateman's to Mallacoota. It is called the Princes Highway but can be slow and winding for much of it's length, particularly in the deep south. There are often few overtaking opportunities as well, and if you are unfamiliar with the road it will be a bit slower. Plus there's towns and stuff to drive through. 4.30 to 6 would be better to be prepared for.

Sydney to Batemans may be a bit longer too, depending on the time of day, and where you are leaving from in Sydney.

Enjoy, a lovely part of the world.

*two edits for typos!*

[protik]

I would give yourself a bit more drive time than 3.30 from Bateman's to Mallacoota

True, those numbers are just estimated travel time from Google Maps.

If you plan to drive and set up where you like the look of I'd suggest sleeping in the wagon.

That's what we are considering to do (wagon's tinted as well). Is it allowed to sleep in the car when parked on street in VIC?

[nlt82]

Protik

Sent a PM

nlt

[Hallu]

That's a lot in only 9 days. I've done everything you're mentionning on your itinerary, and the best ones were actually Croajingolong, the Sapphire coast (between Bateman's bay and the VIC/NSW border) and Wilsons Prom'. And it looks like you're really overlooking the first 2.

The Great Ocean Road isn't that great for beaches : it's actually more beautiful AFTER the GOR, meaning West of Portland. Don't get me wrong, the Otways are beautiful, but mainly for its forests and waterfalls, less for the beaches in my opinion. And regarding the splendid rock formations of Port Campbell NP like the 12 apostles and others, there's no real bushwalking there, it's more of a photo op. The problem is, if you haven't done it, you're gonna want to... but for people who've done everything, it's not in the top list. I mean it is still great, but between having 9 days at lightning speed and not enjoying the moment, or scratching the GOR from the list and stopping at Wilsons Prom or Mornington Peninsula before going back to Sydney but enjoying it more, I'd have the second choice without a doubt.

And regarding some common mistakes : Lakes Entrance and Mallacoota are overrated by tourist guides. They're not worth stopping there, especially Lakes Entrance. Around Mallacoota, the real gem is Croajingolong NP, not the town. This part of Victoria is different from the Sapphire Coast : in NSW there's plenty of little cute towns with accommodation. In Eastern Victoria, it's either a big fishing town on the coast, or small inland towns because the coast is wild and protected by a National Park. I'd spend about 3 days between Bateman's Bay and Ben Boyd NP, 2 days at Croajingolong, 2 days at Wilsons Prom, and a day either at Mornington Peninsula or French Island. Squeezing in the GOR sounds more like a 2 week trip.

Regarding your original question about camping grounds with beaches, you won't find a campground ON the beach or with view of the beach, but there are campgrounds that are very closes to beaches, like a 10 min walk, just about everywhere (Wilsons Prom, Croajingolong, Cape Liptrap, Johanna Beach near Cape Otway etc...).

[Moondog55]

Most of the coast tho is posted to ban roadside camping so you can't put up a tent and they ( coas al shire council) hate people who sleep in their cars do you need to be a bit stealthy

[neil_fahey]

I've only been to Mallacoota once but I thought it was a lovely little town. Lakes Entrance and Bateman's on the other hand... No thanks.

That time of year is probably the worst time to hit the Great Ocean Road, but I'll actually be doing something similar myself. Unfortunately school holidays are when I have the time off, so not a lot of choice about when to do it. I'm also in need of some good free camp sites but I'm guessing nobody is giving away the good ones (that's why they're still good ones).

[protik]

the best ones were actually Croajingolong, the Sapphire coast (between Bateman's bay and the VIC/NSW border) and Wilsons Prom'

Thank you for this, we were indeed going to speed through for the first 2 days as we could not find enough information on what to check out on the way. Also, I have contacted Parks Victoria regarding booking campsites however was advised Croajingolong NP/Wilsons Prom NP/Great Otway NP/Port Campbell NP are all either booked out (she mentioned something about ballots) or on a first come basis meaning highly unlikely we will get to spot. Nevertheless, we are still determined to come for a visit..

I'm also in need of some good free camp sites but I'm guessing nobody is giving away the good ones (that's why they're still good ones).

If possible please let us know if you find any camp sites that has not been booked out already!

[Hallu]

Just download this app : http://www.wikicamps.com.au/ it's incredibly well made and useful. As to what to do on the Sapphire coast, I used "Take A Walk in Southern NSW & the ACT" ( http://www.takeawalk.com.au/z5main.htm ), and the Hema map "South-East New South Wales" ( http://www.exploroz.com/Shop/Hema+South ... Wales.aspx ).

[protik]

Just download this app : http://www.wikicamps.com.au/ it's incredibly well made and useful.

Awesome thanks!!

[neil_fahey]

This app looks great! Thanks Hallu!

[MartyGwynne]

I would spend much more time camping along the stretch of road between BB and LE there are some very lovely places you can get to. Yu may not get to the coast but you can get to within an hrs walk to very secluded places etc.
Try googling WIngan Inlet (BYO drinking water), Merrica River has a walk in camp (1 hr to the beach) or sneak stay in the car at night then move on. Mallacoota is quite a nice place but will be alive with lots of families holidaying, if you want to stay there then drive to the town and head out to shipwreck beach and sneak camp there. You could go to Cann River then head to the coast to Thurra River or the Meuler River (camp sites will most likely be full but I am sure you could work it out).
Unfortunately the areas I have mentioned all are accessible via dirt/gravel roads which are dusty winding and lots of pot holes. If driving on them just take your time and go slowly as you can slide off very easily. No need to hurry though it is a beautiful part of the world.
If you are stuck for a spot at night and you are near Genoa (Vic/NSW border) just on the vic side there is a place called Genoa peak. drive up there and sneak camp for the nite.
Be wary of high fire danger days though (you can google that).
Enjoy Marty.

[paidal_chalne_vala]

The coastal camping along the Bateman's Bay/ Eden /Malacoota area is superb.Mimosa Rocks N.P. is very pleasant. The Ben Boyd N.P. is a old haunt of mine that I have not been to for years.Thurra river campsite near Cann River in the far East of Victoria is another good spot. The bookings during summer holidays are often full at any site in the Croajingolong N.P.
The best coastal scenery in SE Oz is at Wilson's Prom. N.P.
There is nowhere in the world like "the Prom". However I avoid it in Jan. because it is so busy and over crowded with school holidays mobs it just turns into a kind suburbia of tents.Even the hike in only hiking campsite sites which offer a glimpse of the best the Prom has to offer is often overrun with litterbugs and bogans.

French Island is rather undeveloped and quiet compared to Phillip Island.The Gt. Ocean Road in Jan. is just school holidays hell.

[Stew63]

Waratah Bay from Shallow Inlet to Walkerville North is about 35km of beautiful, very quiet surf beach and plenty of hidden places to pitch a tent just above the beach. Not entirely sure if you're actually permitted to just bang up your small tent anywhere but in some places it's so hidden just above the high waterline no one would know. (The area I'm referring to is immediately WNW of Wilsons Prom but just outside WilsonProm NP) There are 3 camping/caravan parks with facilities in the area - SandyPoint, Waratah and Walkerville North. I know that at Walkerville North even in peak season you can often snag a small campsite for a couple of days. Most of the Walkerville North campground is just on the high waterline of the beach (although a bit rocky) and the campground is located in the CapeLiptrap National Park.