Widely considered one of the jewels of the Great Otway National Park, Blanket Bay Campground offers a truly idyllic camping experience where lush rainforest meets a tranquil, sheltered bay. This highly sought-after Parks Victoria campground is a paradise for families, kayakers, and nature lovers, providing an intimate and stunningly beautiful setting for a coastal getaway. The campground is nestled in a protected clearing just a short, flat walk from the calm, sandy beach of Blanket Bay. The well-defined, individual campsites are set amongst tall eucalypts and manna gums, creating a serene atmosphere where the resident koalas are often spotted dozing in the branches above. It’s a place of incredible natural beauty, where you can wake to a chorus of native birds and fall asleep to the gentle lapping of waves.
The main attraction is the bay itself. Unlike the wild surf beaches that characterise much of the coast, Blanket Bay offers a calm, protected inlet perfect for swimming, snorkelling, paddling, and fishing. At low tide, the rock pools at the northern end of the beach are a fantastic place for children and adults alike to explore. The campground also serves as a key access point for the world-renowned Great Ocean Walk, with trails leading directly from the site. Due to its immense popularity, especially during holiday periods, bookings are absolutely essential and often need to be made many months in advance. The facilities are clean and well-maintained, suiting the national park setting. For a magical camping holiday that combines the best of the Otways’ forest and coastline in one perfect package, Blanket Bay is an unforgettable and quintessentially Victorian destination.
Blanket Bay Campground – VIC Location Map
Blanket Bay Campground
Site Details
- Location: Sheltered coastal setting in the Great Otway National Park.
- Site Suitable For: Tents, Camper Trailers, and small Campervans. Not suitable for caravans or large motorhomes.
- Road Access: Unsealed gravel road (Blanket Bay Rd). Can be narrow and corrugated but is generally 2WD accessible with care.
- Site Surface: Dirt and gravel base.
- Camping Permitted: Yes, bookings and fees are mandatory via the Parks Victoria website.
- Maximum Overnight Stays: Check with Parks Victoria for booking limits.
- Facilities: Non-flush toilets, shared picnic tables, shared fire pits. No showers or power.
- Potable Water: Non-potable water is available from a rainwater tank. It must be treated before drinking.
- Mobile Phone Coverage: Very poor to non-existent.
- TV Reception: Unlikely.
- Onsite Public Toilets: Yes, non-flush (pit) toilets.
- Rubbish Bins: No. This is a strict carry-in, carry-out site.
- Open Fires: Permitted in designated communal fire pits only, subject to seasonal fire restrictions. BYO firewood.
- Generator Use: Not permitted.
- Number of Sites Available: 22 designated, bookable sites.
- Essentials to Bring: Drinking water or water treatment system, firewood, rubbish bags, toilet paper, insect repellent.
- Pet Friendly: No. Pets are not permitted in the Great Otway National Park.
Activities
- Fishing: Good for rock and beach fishing.
- Short Walks: Direct access to the Great Ocean Walk and short walks around the bay.
- Swimming & Kayaking: The sheltered bay is ideal for swimming and paddling.
Local Amenities
- Local Pubs:
- Apollo Bay Hotel (Apollo Bay) – Approx. 22 km
- Great Ocean Road Brewhouse (Apollo Bay) – Approx. 22 km
- Lavers Hill Roadhouse & Tavern (Lavers Hill) – Approx. 40 km
- Places to Eat:
- Lightstation Cafe (at Cape Otway Lightstation) – Approx. 15 km
- Extensive range of cafes and restaurants in Apollo Bay – Approx. 22 km
- Local Attractions:
- Cape Otway Lightstation – Approx. 15 km
- Great Ocean Walk – Onsite
- Maits Rest Rainforest Walk – Approx. 15 km
- The Otway Fly Treetop Adventures – Approx. 45 km
- Nearest Caravan Parks:
- Bimbi Park – Camping Under Koalas – Approx. 15 km
- Apollo Bay Holiday Parks – Approx. 22 km
- Next Free Camps:
- Aire Crossing Campground (inland) – Approx. 30 km
- Stevensons Falls Campground (inland) – Approx. 65 km
- Nearest Dump Points:
- Apollo Bay Public Dump Point – Approx. 22 km
- Nearest Petrol Station:
- Apollo Bay – Approx. 22 km
- Drinking Water Resupply:
- Available at the Visitor Information Centre in Apollo Bay.
- Public Toilets:
- Available onsite (non-flush).
Seasonal Weather Forecast
- Summer (Dec-Feb): Mild to warm, often with cool sea breezes, averaging 14-24°C.
- Autumn (Mar-May): Cool and calm, often with clear sunny days, averaging 10-20°C.
- Winter (Jun-Aug): Cold, wet, and windy, showcasing the coastline’s wild side. Averaging 7-14°C.
- Spring (Sep-Nov): Cool and brisk, with a mix of sun and showers, a great time for waterfalls. Averaging 9-18°C.
