Anglesea and Aireys Inlet

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Anglesea and Aireys Inlet

Great Otway National Park

Anglesea and Aireys Inlet are framed by the natural splendor of the Great Otway National Park. Experience stunning coastal vistas, lush valleys, wild oceans, breathtaking coastal cliffs, waterfalls and tall eucalypt forest. Surf the iconic swells of Bells Beach, discover the delicate kaleidoscope of wildflowers in the heathlands of Anglesea, or snorkel and dive off Point Addis.

Spring wildflowers are spectacular in the heathlands around Anglesea which are the richest and most diverse vegetation community in Victoria. Discover them for yourself as the heathland erupts in springtime in vibrant colour.

Moggs Creek is one of the many beautiful places in the park. Picnic, bushwalk, and explore the surrounds on Ocean View Track and its magnificent vista over the Great Ocean Road, Fairhaven and the ocean. Distillery Creek Picnic Area is another great picnic area with wood barbecues, tables, flushing toilets and linked nature walks and cycle trail. Shared pathways provide many opportunities for walking and cycling in this section of Great Otway National Park.

Try the more challenging walk or cycle offered on the 12km shared trail, Currawong Falls Circuit which starts from the Distillery Creek Picnic Area. The small and delicate Currawong Falls do not flow often and are at their best after heavy rain.

The Ironbark Basin to Anglesea section of the Surf Coast Walk is your chance to immerse yourself in nature. Pass by spectacular cliff tops, wind-swept heathlands and views of Anglesea and learn about the Traditional Owners and their ongoing and active connection to Country as you explore the Yirripa Yan (Wadawurrung Cultural Walk) and Ironbark Basin Circuit.

Surfers frequent a variety of beaches along this coastline including the world-famous Bells Beach and Addiscot Beach.

Point Addis Marine National Park is located in a spectacularly scenic area with wide sandy beaches. A staggering diversity of marine life live in the park’s coast and outer reefs. In calm weather and at low tide visitors can explore rock pools, dive and snorkel to explore the magnificent underwater world. Snorkelling is good at Jarosite and Ingoldsby Reef. Addiscot Beach is a great location for rock pooling at low tide.

Hammonds Campground is located 12km inland from Aireys Inlet and is the ideal location for wildlife viewing and relaxation.

As beaches and coasts are natural environments, you may encounter hazards. Follow our water safety advice to make sure your day out at Anglesea and Aireys Inlet is a safe and enjoyable one.

Please Note:

The Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority has been appointed as manager for part of the Great Otway National Park, from 1 July 2025.

The Authority will take over the responsibilities of Parks Victoria and ensure the Great Otway National Park continues to thrive and be enjoyed by locals and visitors for generations to come.

Parks Victoria continue to manage the majority of the Great Otway National Park, locations which are primarily accessed from the Princess Highway including Lake Elizabeth, Triplet Falls, Hopetoun Falls, Beachamp Falls, Stevenson Falls, Distillery Creek and many well-known mountain bike and walking trails, as well as Big Hill and Hammonds campgrounds and the Anglesea Heath, accessed via the Great Ocean Road. 

Parks Victoria staff will continue to be visible in the area, as they will maintain their role in monitoring and caring for the land during the transition period. For more information visit Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority.

Things to do

 
A path leads through tents at Hammond Road Campground Great Otway National Park

Hammonds Campground

Hammonds Campground is located 12km inland from Aireys Inlet in a natural bush setting. Relax at camp and enjoy the company of kangaroos and other native wildlife or explore one of the many walking and bike riding trails in the area.
A view of the beach from the lookout on Moggs Creek Circuit Track.

Moggs Creek

Moggs Creek is one of the many beautiful places in the park to picnic. After enjoying a picnic, stretch your legs on the Moggs Creek Circuit (distance: 1.8km, 30 mins), an interesting walk that follows the creek down through the valley and then climbs to a vantage point over the creeks fern-lined banks before returning to the picnic area.
A family walks up a set of wooden stairs on the Surf Coast Walk.

Surf Coast Walk

The 44km Surf Coast Walk is an adventure that boasts total immersion in nature and the sanctuary of coastal villages within easy reach along the way.

How to get there

Anglesea and Aireys Inlet

Nestled approximately 1.5 hours from Melbourne, Anglesea and Aireys Inlet sit on the eastern edges of Great Otway National Park. If you are travelling from Melbourne, follow the Princes Freeway towards Geelong. At Waurn Ponds, take Anglesea Road which merges into the iconic Great Ocean Road.

A bus service runs between Geelong, Lorne and Apollo Bay, connecting with regional train services train services to Melbourne. Visit the PTV website for more information on buses and trains that connect to this part of Great Otway National Park.

When to go

Surf, explore rockpools or snorkel at one of the many popular beaches in this Point Addis area of the Great Ocean Road.

Need to know

Anglesea and Aireys Inlet

Change of Conditions

Nature being nature, sometimes conditions can change at short notice. It’s a good idea to check this page ahead of your visit for any updates.

  • Notices Affecting Multiple Sites

    Great Otway National park sites closed due to major flood damage

    Severe thunderstorms and flash flooding on 16 January 2026 has caused significant damage across parts of the eastern Great Otway National Park. 
     
    For public safety, the following areas are closed until further notice while assessments and clean-up works are undertaken:
     
    Closures included but are not limited to :

    Erskine falls is limited to the top viewing platform.  Access to the base of the falls and along the river track is closed.


    Roads & Tracks 
    Wye Rd
    Wye Track
    Curtis Track
    Godfrey Track
    Jamieson Track

    Walking tracks

    St George
    Phantom falls
    Lemonade ck
    Kalimna
    Henderson
    Sheoak Falls 
    Sheoak picnic ground walking Nature Loop
    Cumberland
    Cumberland Garvey Link
    Kalimna Garvey Link
    Cora Lynn
    Erskine Falls Walking Track 
    Won Wondah
     
    Many roads, tracks and visitor facilities are impacted by debris, flooding and unstable conditions.  
    The Great Ocean Road has been impacted,
     
     
    Always follow safety signage and directions from response crews, and do not enter any closed areas.
    Thank you for your patience and understanding as works are undertaken to make these popular areas safe to visit again.

    Great Ocean Walk destination car parking at the Twelve Apostles visitor center during summer & Peak Visitation periods

    During the busy peak visitation period at the Twelve Apostles precinct (from summer through to early autumn including school holidays, public holidays, long weekends & busy peak visitation weekends concluding after Chinese New Year / Easter), due to the sheer volume of visitors onsite, a traffic management program is in place to maximize public safety & ensure visitor experience. If you are planning to park your vehicle at the Twelve Apostles before walking the Great Ocean Walk (or sections of it including section 8) during this period, please communicate this information to onsite traffic control staff at the entrance & they will do their best to accommodate your vehicle in the main carpark. This will avoid your car remaining in the overflow carpark area which needs to be cleared and locked each night. Similarly, if you arrive at the Twelve Apostles to park your car at a time when traffic control are not onsite, or setting up, please park your vehicle in the main carpark area. Your assistance is greatly appreciated! 

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