Nestled in the heart of one of Victoria’s most iconic coastal towns, the Apollo Bay Recreation Reserve offers an affordable and convenient camping experience right on the Great Ocean Road. While not a free camp, this council-managed reserve provides excellent value for money with its spacious sites and comprehensive facilities, making it a perfect base for exploring the Otway Ranges and the stunning Shipwreck Coast. The campground is ideally situated beside the Barham River, providing a serene atmosphere just a short, flat walk from the main street’s charming cafes, shops, and the beautiful Apollo Bay foreshore. Its central location means you can park your caravan or set up your tent and enjoy all the town has to offer on foot.
The reserve caters to a wide range of travellers, from those in large motorhomes and caravans to campers with tents. It features a mix of powered and unpowered sites spread across grassy, well-maintained grounds. One of its most celebrated features is being genuinely pet-friendly, allowing you to bring your furry companions along for the adventure. The facilities are clean and practical, including toilet and shower blocks, a camp kitchen, laundry services, and a dedicated dump point for RVs. This combination of location, amenities, and value makes it a highly popular choice, especially during peak seasons and long weekends, so booking ahead is strongly recommended to secure your spot. Whether you’re planning to go fishing in the river, hiking in the nearby national park, or simply relaxing by the sea, the Apollo Bay Recreation Reserve serves as an outstanding and accessible hub for your coastal Victorian journey.
Apollo Bay Recreation Reserve Camping – VIC Location Map
Apollo Bay Recreation Reserve & Camping
- Address: 70 Great Ocean Road, Apollo Bay, VIC 3233
- GPS Coordinates: -38.76282640127, 143.66667925001653
- Website: Great Ocean Road Authority
- Location: In the town of Apollo Bay, adjacent to the Barham River and a short walk to the main street and beach.
- Site suitable for: Tents, camper trailers, caravans, motorhomes, and big rigs.
- Road access: Sealed road (Great Ocean Road).
- Site surface: Grass.
- Camping permitted: Yes, paid camping. Bookings are highly recommended.
- Maximum overnight stays: Varies by season, check with management. Typically up to 28 days.
- Facilities: Powered and unpowered sites, amenities block with toilets and hot showers, camp kitchen, laundry facilities.
- Potable water: Yes, drinking water is available.
- Mobile phone coverage: Good coverage for Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone.
- TV reception: Good digital TV signal.
- Onsite public toilets: Yes, within the amenities blocks for paying guests.
- Rubbish bins: Yes, rubbish and recycling bins are provided.
- Open fires: Not permitted.
- Generator use: Generally restricted, check with camp management for specific rules.
- Number of sites available: Over 100 sites, including powered and unpowered.
- Essentials to bring: Levelling blocks may be useful as some sites have a slight slope.
- Pet friendly: Yes, pets are permitted on leads. Conditions apply.
- Fishing: Yes, popular in the adjacent Barham River and from the nearby beach.
- Short walks: Yes, Barham River Walk, walk to Marriner’s Lookout, and beach walks are all accessible from the site.
- Local pubs: Great Ocean Road Brewhouse (~1.1 km), Apollo Bay Hotel (~1.6 km), The Brewhouse Bar & Restaurant (~1.1 km).
- Places to eat: Numerous cafes, bakeries, and restaurants along the Great Ocean Road in town (~1-2 km).
- Local attractions: Apollo Bay Foreshore (~1.5 km), Marriner’s Lookout (~3 km), Great Otway National Park (entry points start ~10 km away).
- Nearest caravan parks: Apollo Bay Holiday Park (~2 km), BIG4 Apollo Bay Pisces Holiday Park (~2.5 km).
- Next Free Camps: Aire Crossing Campground (~30 km), Stevensons Falls Campground (~35 km) – both inland in the Otways.
- Nearest dump points: Onsite at the Recreation Reserve.
- Nearest petrol station: Several options in Apollo Bay (~1-2 km).
- Drinking water resupply: Available onsite.
- Public toilets: Onsite for guests; multiple public toilets along the Apollo Bay foreshore (~1.5 km).Seasonal weather forecast:
- Summer (Dec-Feb): Warm and generally dry, average temps 15-25°C.
- Autumn (Mar-May): Mild days and cooler nights, average temps 10-20°C.
- Winter (Jun-Aug): Cool and wet with occasional strong winds, average temps 7-15°C.
- Spring (Sep-Nov): Mild and becoming drier, average temps 10-18°C.
