Great Ocean Road with Kids: Camping, Paddle Boarding & waterfalls

A relaxed family Great Ocean Road itinerary featuring Johanna Beach camping, paddle boarding on the Aire River, easy waterfall walks and surf lessons in Apollo Bay. Ideal for families and slow travellers who don’t want the summer holiday crowds!

After the Christmas rush, tight deadlines and the end-of-year scramble, we pack up the car and go on our annual camping trip, somewhere different every time. It’s how we reset before the year starts again.

This summer we chose beach camping. Melbourne’s warm weather window is short, so when it arrives, we follow it — usually with a fully packed car and simple plans, i like to let the area do the heavy lifting.

We based ourselves at Johanna Beach Campground on the Great Ocean Road, just under an hour from Apollo Bay, and let the days go from from there. Surf lessons to try something new, rivers when the ocean felt too wild, forest walks when everyone needed shade. It ended up being an easy summer camping trip that I would do again and again.

Johanna Beach - 5 minutes from our campsite

Camping at Johanna Beach Campground (Great Ocean Road)

Johanna Beach Campground is one of the quieter camping spots along the Great Ocean Road and works especially well for families wanting space and fewer crowds. Set between coastal scrub and sand dunes, it feels removed without being hard to reach.

Good to know:

Camp type: Parks Victoria campground
Cost: Paid site , but not expensive (bookings required)
Power: Non-powered sites only
Facilities: Toilets, no showers - very basic amenities
Dogs: Allowed, on lead only
Beach access: Around a 5-minute walk
Distance from Apollo Bay: ~45 minutes

The beach itself is open and wild, with powerful surf and big skies. It’s a popular spot for experienced surfers but unpatrolled, so it’s better suited to beach walks and watching the waves roll in.

Most mornings started with a beach walk, followed by coffee back at camp. The days filled themselves in around that — meals cooked over the fire, books half read, sandy feet, Shoes were optional and car games with the kids.

Johanna Beach is an important nesting area for the threatened Hooded Plover. Please stick to paths and keep dogs on lead and always leave the site how your found it take your rubbish home.

Paddle Boarding on the Aire River & Barham River (Apollo Bay)

Paddle boarding on the Great Ocean Road is surprisingly easy if you know where to look. We kept the boards inflated and strapped to the car, which made spontaneous stops simple.

Aire River

Location: Around 20 minutes from Johanna Beach ( our base camp)
Conditions: Wide, calm, slow-moving water
Kid-friendly: Yes!
Dogs: No, due to its close location to the National Park

The Aire River quickly became our favourite. Open, still water made it ideal for paddle boarding, kayaking and drifting around longer than planned. Super relaxing and well worth packing boards for! We spent a few hours here drifting and pushing each other off the boards.

If you want to stay closer, Aire River East and West Campgrounds are popular options, especially with families who want easy river access, fishing spots and quiet afternoons on the water.

Barham River (Apollo Bay)

Location: Opposite Apollo Bay Recreation Reserve
Conditions: Calm and sheltered
Bonus: Beach access just across the road

The Barham River is a great option if you’re staying in Apollo Bay or passing through. Paddle on one side, ocean on the other. Once we packed up the boards, we wandered straight across to Mounts Bay and swapped river water for sand between our toes.

Family-Friendly Waterfalls on the Great Ocean Road

The Great Ocean Road is home to some of Victoria’s most accessible waterfalls, many of them ideal if you’re travelling with kids or don’t want long, strenuous hikes.

Triplet Falls Walk

Distance: 2km loop
Time: Around 45 minutes
Track: Shaded, well-maintained rainforest trail
Dogs: Not permitted

An easy and rewarding walk through cool rainforest. The loop track makes it straightforward, and it’s a good option if you’re short on time but still want a proper forest walk.

The Redwoods Forest Walk

Location: Near Beech Forest & close to Hopetoun Falls ( do them both in the same timeframe)
Distance: Short, flat wander
Dogs: Not permitted

Despite being popular, there’s plenty of space to explore here. Kids ran ahead, we followed behind, and nobody asked how much further it was, just a really peaceful walk amongst these beautiful redwoods.

Hopetoun Falls Walk

Distance: ~1km return
Difficulty: Short but steep (lots of stairs)
Parking: Limited, especially during peak periods
Dogs: Not permitted

The walk down is quick, but the climb back up is a workout. Pack water and allow time, especially on warmer days. Parking can be tight during holidays and peak season, keep that in mind when visiting.

Surf Lessons in Apollo Bay (Beginner-Friendly)

There are plenty of rugged beaches along the Great Ocean Road suited to experienced surfers. For us, booking surf lessons in Apollo Bay made much more sense.

The bay is sheltered and beginner-friendly, making it a good place for families to give surfing a go. There were plenty of wipeouts, a few solid stand-ups, and a lot of laughing in wetsuits. Everyone came out cold, salty and very ready for food. With hungry bellies we headed into main street where we all devaoured a burger from Pit Stop Bros, Apollo Bay.

A Great Ocean Road Trip That’s Easy to Make Your Own

Camp at Johanna Beach Campground for space and quiet
Paddle board the Aire River and Barham River
Book a surf lesson in Apollo Bay
Add short forest walks at Triplet Falls, the Redwoods and Hopetoun Falls
Restock supplies, snacks and coffee in Apollo Bay

You don’t need a packed itinerary for this stretch of the coast. A good base, flexible days and a willingness to follow the weather go a long way.

For us, this Great Ocean Road trip worked because it stayed simple. A quiet campground, a few easy adventures close by, and enough downtime to actually enjoy where we were. It was the perfect reset, where no one’s checking the time and plans change with the weather. If its hot head to to the beach, if its cold head to the forest for fall spotting!

FAQs: Great Ocean Road with Kids

Is Johanna Beach Campground free?
No. Johanna Beach Campground is a paid Parks Victoria campground and bookings are required, especially during school holidays and summer.

How far is Johanna Beach Campground from Apollo Bay?
Johanna Beach Campground is around a 45-minute drive from Apollo Bay via sealed and gravel roads.

Is Johanna Beach safe for swimming?
No, I would not recommend swimming, Johanna Beach is unpatrolled and known for strong waves and rips. It’s better suited to walking, experienced surfers, and enjoying the coastline rather than casual swimming.

Are there calm paddle boarding spots on the Great Ocean Road?
Yes. The Aire River and Barham River near Apollo Bay are both calm, sheltered and well suited to paddle boarding and kayaking, including with kids.

Are the waterfalls on the Great Ocean Road suitable for kids?
Many are. Triplet Falls is an easy 2km loop, while Hopetoun Falls is short but steep. Always allow extra time and bring water.

Are dogs allowed on the Great Ocean Road walks mentioned?
Dogs are allowed at Johanna Beach Campground (on lead), but they are not permitted on the Triplet Falls, Redwoods or Hopetoun Falls walks.

What’s the best time of year to do the Great Ocean Road with kids?
Late spring and summer are ideal for camping, rivers and