Aire River to Johanna Beach Walk

Aire River to Johanna Beach is an 8.6-mile (13.8 km) one-way Great Ocean Walk stage, from the Aire River walk-in campground to Johanna Beach. The official stage figure is rounded to 14 km; allow about 5 hours 15 minutes of walking, plus stops. It rolls up and over headlands before a beach finish, so arrange your transport from Johanna before setting out. This is a substantial day walk, not a loop.

The track climbs inland around a headland through low spinifex, then opens to the coast. Expect a series of rises and dips rather than one steady climb. Castle Cove is the standout break: the curved beach sits beneath high, green cliffs. From the lookout, frame the surf below the cliff line to show the cove’s scale. Dinosaur fossils have been found in the cliffs here.

Past Castle Cove, the route follows the cliff tops through heath and forest, with occasional wide coastal views. Manna gums, grass trees, and spring wildflowers add detail between the open sections. Peregrine falcons are noted overhead, so look up when the canopy opens.

The final part includes about 2 km of beach walking at Johanna. Check tide and swell before you start: the beach can become impassable in high water or large swell. The Johanna River crossing is unbridged and may also become impassable after heavy rain, especially when high tide and swell coincide. Time this section for low tide and low swell, and be ready to wait or turn back if the crossing is unsafe.

The route begins at the Aire River Great Ocean Walk walk-in campground and finishes at Johanna Beach. The hike-in campsites have untreated rainwater tanks, but water supply is not guaranteed; don’t count on a tank as your only source. No food stop was found along the stage, so bring what you need. Dogs are not permitted on this national-park route.