Explore Australia

King Island Cultural Centre: local arts, community projects, resident artists and personal stories of King Island residents; Currie Harbour. King Island Historical Society Museum: memorabilia of the island; open 2–4pm daily in summer, closed in winter; Lighthouse St. The Boathouse Gallery: displays and sales of pottery, sculptures and paintings, plus barbecue facilities; Edward St. Observatory: tours when sky is clear; Rifle Range Rd. King Island Maritime Trail: track with interpretive signs takes in shipwreck sites; details from visitor centre. Tours: full- and half-day tours of the island run by King Island Coaches; bookings on (03) 6462 1138.

King Island Dairy Internationally recognised for its cheeses and beef, King Island Dairy has a Fromagerie Tasting Room with an excellent range of brie, camembert, cheddar, washed rind, triple cream and many others. The cows graze year-round, which makes their milk better for cheese production. Loorana; 9 km N.

Fishing: excellent salmon, flathead and whiting fishing from east-coast beaches; morwong, warehou, yellowtail kingfish and squid fishing at British Admiral Reef; 3 km S of Currie. Penguins: see them return to shore at dusk at Grassy in the south-east; 25 km SE. King Island Kelp Craft: specialising in the rare form of bull kelp handcrafts, with displays and sales; 6 Currie Rd, Grassy; 25 km SE. Naracoopa: seaside town with growing tourist industry; 25 km E. Seal Rocks State Reserve: covers 800 ha, with calcified forest and stunning cliffs at Seal Rocks; 30 km S. Lavinia Nature Reserve: 6400 ha of ocean beaches, heath, dunes, wetland bird habitats, lagoons and a rare suspended lake formation. Lavinia Point has a popular surfing beach; 40 km NE. Cape Wickham: lighthouse on rugged cliffs; north of Egg Lagoon; 45 km NE. Surfing: King Island is an ideal location for surfing.

Aire River 129 km

This area comprises estuary, surf and freshwater on the west side of Cape Otway. Aire River nestles in a valley along the foothills of the Otways. To get there, follow the Great Ocean Road past the Cape Otway turn-off,... Find out more

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Apollo Bay 132 km

Apollo Bay has a diversity of angling options, including river, estuary, surf and offshore. You can also fish from the rocks or in the sheltered harbour. Anglers who come here seek everything from brown trout and bream... Find out more

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Gellibrand River 149 km

A little further west from Aire River are Castle Cove and Johanna Beach; both produce fishing similar to the beach at Aire River. There is also good beach fishing at Princetown, at the mouth of the Gellibrand River. ... Find out more

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Lorne 155 km

On the way into Lorne is a popular ledge known as Jump Rock. It consistently produces salmon, silver trevally, barracouta, pinkies and mullet. The drive into Lorne will also take you across the Erskine River, a small... Find out more

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Anglesea 171 km

Beach fishing species here are the same as Torquay, with the best fishing east of the Anglesea River, although you need to be aware of the marine park that extends west from Point Addis. But most anglers go here to fish... Find out more

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Peterborough 172 km

Peterborough has beach and estuary fishing. The estuary system is Curdies River, a noted bream river with fish to 1.5 kg common. The best place to access the river is upstream at a place called Boggy Creek – a name... Find out more

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Torquay 182 km

The offshore waters of western Bass Strait, from Torquay to Cape Otway contain an abundance of species including Australian salmon, snapper, barracouta, King George whiting, yellowtail kingfish, silver trevally, gummy... Find out more

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Lake Purrumbete 191 km

The bulk of the serious trout-fishing action in Victoria is in the Western District crater lakes. Of these, Lake Purrumbete near Camperdown ranks in the top half a dozen trout lakes in the state in terms quality,... Find out more

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Barwon River Estuary 193 km

The Barwon River estuary enters Bass Strait about 10 km west of Port Phillip Heads and it divides the holiday towns of Barwon Heads  and Ocean Grove. This estuary  is one of the most productive  waterways... Find out more

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Portsea to Point Nepean 195 km

The annual salmon migration into the bay is part of a chain of fish migrations including snapper and baitfish species such as sandy sprats and pilchards, as well as krill. For the salmon, it isn’t so much the need... Find out more

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Diving and snorkelling, King Island 13 km

King Island is a renowned diving destination and you can dive through kelp forests or near the local seal colony with King Island Dive Charters.... Find out more

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Sea-kayaking in Marengo Marine Sanctuary 129 km

In an exciting two-hour guided paddle, head out from Apollo Bay to Marengo Marine Sanctuary to get a close-up view of an Australian fur-seal colony. The seals often come out to swim around the kayaks.... Find out more

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Tarkine Forest Adventures at Dismal Swamp 148 km

This is a strange mix of natural history, art installations, public relations for Forestry Tasmania and a wild and riotous 110-metre slide. The experience is set in the only known sinkhole in the world with a thriving... Find out more

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Canoeing on Lake Elizabeth 153 km

For a fantastic dawn or dusk paddle in which you have a 95 per cent chance of seeing a platypus, join Otway Eco Tours on Lake Elizabeth. Half-day trips to this remote lake in the ranges depart from the small hamlet of... Find out more

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Diving and snorkelling - Port Campbell, Peterborough and Warrnambool 163 km

Best known in diving circles for its multitude of shipwrecks, most of which are reached by boat dives, this area also has some great snorkelling and shore dives. Recommended spots include the Port Campbell jetty, Wild... Find out more

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Swim with dolphins, Sorrento 193 km

In the warmer six months of the year, the eco-accredited Moonraker Charters will help you get in the water, swimming alongside Australian fur-seals and bottlenose dolphins. Of course, swimming is not compulsory on the... Find out more

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Marine Discovery Centre, Queenscliff 198 km

Primarily set up to educate school children about the marine environment, this government-run facility also has an interesting holiday program and an interactive aquarium and touch tanks. Holiday activities include... Find out more

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Wildlife-watching - Phillip Island 198 km

Phillip Island is best known for the little penguins that come ashore every night (bookings essential). But spend time exploring the area and you will find Seal Rocks, with Australia’s largest colony of fur-seals,... Find out more

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Kayaking on Phillip Island 203 km

For a great way to start the day, join a kayaking breakfast tour at Phillip Island Holiday Hire, which starts with a 45-minute paddle from Cowes and includes a civilised breakfast at a cafe. There is also a Devonshire... Find out more

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Picnicking at Lake Pertobe Reserve 209 km

Lake Pertobe Reserve on Warrnambool’s foreshore is known as one of the best adventure playgrounds around, with plenty for kids of all ages. There are paddleboats and canoes, a maze and flying fox, free barbecues... Find out more

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The Sands, Torquay 185 km

Sands by name . . . Sands by nature. It doesn’t take long to figure out the overwhelming feature of a round at Torquay. Standing on the 1st tee of this Stuart Applebydesigned layout, a blanket of white is... Find out more

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The National Golf Club (Old course) 186 km

Australia’s largest golf club, The National boasts three 18-hole courses – the Old, Ocean and Moonah layouts – all spread across exceptional ocean-side terrain on the Mornington Peninsula, at Cape... Find out more

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The National Golf Club (Ocean Course) 186 km

Nearly a decade after the celebrated opening of Robert Trent Jones Jnr’s Old course, the club’s board discovered that the adjoining property was to be put up for sale. It could be seen from the highest... Find out more

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RACV Cape Schanck Resort 186 km

Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula has boomed as a golfing destination during the past 15 years, with some of the finest course designers lining up for a crack at creating a masterpiece on this premium piece of... Find out more

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The National Golf Club (Moonah Course) 187 km

While Peter Thomson’s design team got to work on the Ocean course, The National hired Greg Norman and his chief architect Bob Harrison to create what would become known as the Moonah course. Both layouts opened... Find out more

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St Andrews Beach 188 km

When it comes to quality golf courses and how to design them, American Tom Doak is a learned man. His second and most recent Australian creation – St Andrews Beach, on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula... Find out more

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The Dunes Golf Links 190 km

If you are looking for true links golf in the tradition of the great courses of Scotland and Ireland, you can satisfy your desires here. The Dunes has become one of the most popular courses on the golf-rich Mornington... Find out more

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Moonah Links (Open course) 190 km

When Australian golf’s governing body decided in 1998 to shift its operations to a custom-built facility on some Mornington Peninsula farmland, many golfers reckoned it an ambitious move. But the Australian Golf... Find out more

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Moonah Links (Legends Course) 190 km

The Legends course might have been the second course built at Australian golf’s new home, but it was so well received by golfers that today it is regarded as the better of the two. The course officially opened... Find out more

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Thirteenth Beach Golf Links (Beach Course) 190 km

After all the accolades Tony Cashmore received for his design work at The Dunes, on the Mornington Peninsula, he must have felt some pressure to produce an equally fine layout when it came time for his next project:... Find out more

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Boomerang by the Sea

To combine perfectly cooked seafood with the world’s freshest sea air and a 270-degree panorama of wave-washed rocky headlands is about as good as it gets. Little wonder this restaurant set overlooking the golf... Find out more

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King Island Bakery

It’s the one and only bakery on the island, but what a winner! They open early for the local fishermen to stock up before heading out to sea and they export their gourmet pies and breads to Melbourne and Hobart, as... Find out more

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Parers King Island Hotel Bistro

Not intentionally retro but with plenty of 1970s touches, the bistro dining room at this hotel may not have the latest decor but it does have good, hearty pub-style meals, fantastically fresh seafood and a big open fire.... Find out more

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Kings Cuisine at the Bold Head Brasserie

The cuisine here is inspired by King Island’s magnificent bounty. Instead of a set menu, each day’s produce determines the dishes, many of which are unexpected combinations of flavours. Gummy shark might be... Find out more

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Otway Estate Brewery 167 km

Located 12 kilometres from Colac, Otway Estate Winery was established in 1983, specialising in cool-climate wines; a microbrewery was added in 2007. Head brewer Luke Scott oversees the production of up to 15 different... Find out more

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Purrumbete Brewing Company (Red Duck) 192 km

Scott and Vanessa Wilson-Browne are another couple of ‘ale changers’ who swapped busy Melbourne careers to move to the country, bring up their young family, and brew and market craft ales. Along the way, they... Find out more

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Red Hill Brewery 198 km

Becoming hop farmers wasn’t part of their business plan when David and Karen Golding first applied to develop a microbrewery and cafe from their Mornington Peninsula property. Ultimately, though, they were advised... Find out more

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Flying Horse Brewery 206 km

Whales and ales are now the twin attractions for the pretty seaside Victorian city of Warrnambool, following the development of the sprawling Flying Horse Bar & Brewery complex by joint owners Matt Monk, Matt Stewart... Find out more

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Matilda Bay Garage Brewery 240 km

Previously operating as the Stockade Brewery, this South Dandenong-based microbrewery was acquired by the Foster’s-owned Matilda Bay Brewing in 2004 and re-badged as their ‘garage’ brewery. Then head... Find out more

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2 Brothers Brewery 245 km

A microbrewery is not exactly what you might expect to find tucked away among panel-beaters and sheet-metal fabricators in the industrial estates of Moorabbin, 20 minutes south-east of Melbourne. While the location may... Find out more

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Parker Hill camping area 123 km

A small collection of campsites on Parker Hill look out over a sparkling inlet between Cape Otway and Point Franklin, where the Parker River empties into the ocean. From Cape Otway Lighthouse Rd, travel for 1 km east... Find out more

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Blanket Bay camping area 125 km

This is a very popular camping area with shaded sites near an ocean beach to the south-west of Apollo Bay. A little further around the coast is the historic Cape Otway Lightstation. About 20 km west of Apollo Bay, turn... Find out more

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Marengo Holiday Park 129 km

Off Marengo Cres on the headland at Marengo, a little south of Apollo Bay, this holiday park is freshened by sea breezes and affords fine views over the ocean. Just off Marengo Beach is a marine sanctuary containing a... Find out more

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Green Point camping area 129 km

Green Point is the end of the road heading west in Tasmania. This grassy camping ground faces onto wild ocean beaches where huge swells roll in uninterrupted from South Africa. Bring good shelter as this campground is... Find out more

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Aire River East camping area 129 km

This shady campground is about half the size of the camping area on the other side of the river, and so may afford a little more peace and quiet. It’s accessed via Horden Vale Rd, signposted south off the Great... Find out more

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Aire River West camping area 130 km

This camping area on the western side of the Aire River, near the mouth of the watercourse, is big, flat and open, making it ideal for large groups. You can reach it by travelling 5.3 km down Sand Rd (seasonal access);... Find out more

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Montagu Recreation Reserve Camping Ground 132 km

This very picturesque campground on the edge of remote Robbins Passage is only open Nov–Apr each year, so if you want to camp under the shade of these beautiful gums, it’s a good idea to book ahead. There are... Find out more

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Skenes Creek Beachfront Caravan Park 135 km

Skenes Creek is a small place on the Great Ocean Rd at the northern edge of Apollo Bay, only 6 km from the its much bigger neighbour and opposite the turn-off to Colac. Over half the campsites here run along the edge of... Find out more

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Johanna Beach camping area 136 km

This large campground is nestled behind the dunes at Johanna Beach, a popular surfing spot to the north-west of Cape Otway. There are two ways to reach it. The first is to turn off the Great Ocean Rd onto Red Johanna Rd,... Find out more

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Aire Crossing camping area 140 km

Just north of this riverside campground is the magnificent Triplet Falls, cascading down through untrammelled old-growth forest. Also in the vicinity is the walk to Little Aire Falls, which weaves through rainforest to... Find out more

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Marengo Holiday Park 129 km

This park is situated on an absolute beachfront property, 1.5 km south of the Apollo Bay township, off the Great Ocean Road. It is budget-priced, especially considering the location. Bookings are required in peak... Find out more

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Pisces Holiday Park 133 km

With a range of accommodation and a great outlook, this quality park is on a rise overlooking the sea. It is 1.5 km to the town centre and only a short stroll to the beach. Bookings are required in peak periods, with a... Find out more

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Kennett River Holiday Park 140 km

Located midway between Lorne and Apollo Bay, this park has good basic facilities. It is squeezed between the Otway Ranges and a safe surf beach. Bookings are required in peak periods, with a minimum-stay period at... Find out more

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BIG4 Wye River Tourist Park 144 km

This is a very neatly maintained beachside park on this fabulous and popular coastline. Bookings are required in peak periods, with a minimum-length stay at Christmas, Easter and long weekends.... Find out more

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Cumberland River Holiday Park 151 km

Cumberland River Holiday Park is set in a picturesque spot on the scenic coastal strip. It is close to the beach and a good base for exploring the Otways. Bookings are required in peak periods, with a minimum-stay period... Find out more

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Stanley Cabin and Tourist Park 154 km

This park, on the water’s edge, is a 200-metre stroll from the centre of town and a perfect base for exploring historic Stanley. The spectacular geological feature, The Nut, which is the remains of an old volcano,... Find out more

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Lorne Foreshore Caravan Park 155 km

This is actually a group of five parks all within Lorne, and all five are administered from the one office. Each is well positioned and within walking distance of the resort-style town centre. Lorne is one of... Find out more

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Port Campbell Holiday Park 163 km

This park is in a scenic location close to the centre of town and adjoining the beach. It is privately managed but forms part of the national park. Bookings are required in peak periods and a minimum-length stay applies... Find out more

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Crayfish Creek Van and Cabin Park and Spa TreeHouse 167 km

In a distinctive bushland setting, this park is tucked away on the banks of Crayfish Creek, a short way in from the coast. It is a popular park during holiday periods, when the weather is warmer for swimming and camping.... Find out more

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Great Ocean Road Tourist Park 169 km

Situated just off the Great Ocean Road at the mouth of the Curdies River, this park is popular with those keen on fishing. It is just a short walk from the centre of town and the beach and has good facilities. Bookings... Find out more

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Boomerang by the Sea

This comfortable seaside motel captures the essence of King Island, with its breathtaking views over the wild Southern Ocean, the array of fantastic local food served in its licensed restaurant and the friendly... Find out more

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Devil’s Gap Retreat

These two stone and timber self-contained cottages offer absolute solitude and privacy away from TVs and phones in a stunningly beautiful windswept coastal setting. Each one-bedroom cottage is decorated with the... Find out more

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Naracoopa Holiday Units

Tucked in among tall tea tree, this row of white cottages is in a picture-perfect site facing the beach at the southern end of Sea Elephant Bay, on the island’s more sheltered and sunny eastern side. Each cosy one-... Find out more

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Portside Links

This picturesque property was once the local golf course and is now home to two tastefully decorated modern units offering romantic B&B accommodation. Although connected by the carport, each self-contained unit is... Find out more

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Cape Otway Centre for Conservation Ecology 126 km

There are not many better-thought-out ecotourism ventures than this superb multi-award-winning facility on Cape Otway. It has its own 66-hectare wildlife refuge and doubles as a shelter for injured and orphaned wildlife,... Find out more

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Apollo Bay Youth Hostel 131 km

This relatively new hostel was built with an eco-friendly design, including thermal storage banks and other passive solar heating and cooling. It also has solar hot water, rainwater tanks, a worm farm, drought-tolerant... Find out more

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Mountain Valley, Loongana 244 km

Mountain Valley is off the beaten tourist track, situated around 64 kilometres south-west of Devonport (due south of Burnie). Visitors here stay in rustic cabins with open fireplaces on a private and remote 60-hectare... Find out more

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Green Point Camp Area 129 km

1 km NW of Marrawah via Green Point Road and Beach Road Very small camping area on the foreshore. NOTE: Access road part unsealed. GPS: S40 54.596 E144 40.783 ... Find out more

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Aire River West Camp Area 129 km

T/O 24 km W of Apollo Bay (L) or 71 km E of Port Campbell (R) Open area located over the bridge 1 kilometre past Aire River East campground in Otway National Park. GPS: S38 48.06 E143 28.39 ... Find out more

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Aire River East Camp Area 130 km

T/O 24 km W of Apollo Bay (L) or 71 km E of Port Campbell (R) Large area among trees 5.5 kilometres south of the highway via Hordern Vale Road in Otway National Park. Limited shade. GPS: S38 47.59 E143 28.56 ... Find out more

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Apollo Bay Park Area 131 km

Adjacent the information centre Small town park on the foreshore. Good facilities. GPS: S38 45.19 E143 40.10  ... Find out more

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Johanna Beach Camp Area 136 km

T/O 38 km W of Apollo Bay (L) or 57 km E of Port Campbell (R) Large open grassed area near the beach 5 kilometres south of the highway via Red Johanna Road in Otway National Park. GPS: S38 45.43 E143 22.45  ... Find out more

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Peppermint Camp Area 142 km

17 km S of Marrawah at Arthur River Open camp area just off the road into town on the north side of Arthur River township. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S41 02.923 E144 40.063  ... Find out more

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Prickly Wattles Camp Area 144 km

19 km S of Marrawah Large camp area just off the road in a natural bush setting 2 kilometres south of Arthur River township. NOTE: Access road part unsealed. GPS: S41 03.572 E144 40.758  ... Find out more

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Twelve Apostles Park Area 155 km

86 km W of Apollo Bay (R) or 10 km E of Port Campbell (L) Large parking area just off the highway area at the interpretive centre near the lookout. GPS: S38 39.41 E143 06.19... Find out more

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Lorne Park Area 156 km

East side of town Small town park on the foreshore off the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S38 31.51 E143 58.48 ... Find out more

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Black River Camp Area 160 km

T/O 44 km W of Wynyard (R) or 23 km E of Smithton (L) Very large area with numerous secluded campsites located 1 to 5 kilometres off the highway in the scrub near the river. Limited facilities and shade. NOTE: Access... Find out more

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Pegs Beach Camp Area 163 km

42 km W of Wynyard (R) or 25 km E of Smithton (L) Large open grassy campground adjacent to the highway on the foreshore. Limited shade. GPS: S40 51.111 E145 21.153... Find out more

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Brickmakers Beach 164 km

40 km W of Wynyard (R) or 27 km E of Smithton (L) Large grassed area adjacent to the highway on the foreshore. Limited shade. GPS: S40 51.121 E145 21.905... Find out more

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Urquharts Beach Park Area 168 km

6 km SW of Anglesea (L) or 23 km NE Lorne (R) Small area located 500 metres off the highway on the foreshore. NOTE: Access road unsealed. GPS: S38 26.10 E144 07.49 ... Find out more

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Peterborough Park Area 169 km

Middle of town Parking area on the foreshore just off the highway. Good facilities. GPS: S38 36.25 E142 52.45   ... Find out more

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Anglesea Park Area 171 km

West side of town Large area adjacent to the road on the west side of town. Good facilities. GPS: S38 24.33 E144 11.19 ... Find out more

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Colac Park Area 178 km

Middle of town Small parking area just off the highway. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S38 20.16 E143 35.41 ... Find out more

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Sisters Beach Rest Area 182 km

T/O 13 km NW of Wynyard (R) or 54 km SE of Smithton (L) Small shady area on the foreshore 8 kilometres north of the highway. Very good facilities and shade. GPS: S40 55.007 E145 33.714... Find out more

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Torquay Park Area 182 km

Middle of town via Gilbert Street Small town park on the Esplanade. GPS: S38 19.51 E144 19.38 ... Find out more

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Winchelsea Park Area 188 km

On the riverbank Large grassed area just off the highway. Very good shade and facilities. GPS: S38 14.19 E143 49.18 ... Find out more

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Wynyard Park Area 199 km

East side of town Small parking area on the foreshore. Good facilities. GPS: S40 59.408 E145 44.545... Find out more

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