Aire River Day Visitor Area

Aire River Day Visitor Area is a riverside picnic spot on the western bank of the Aire, beside Aire River West Campground in Great Otway National Park. It suits a simple sit-down break and a look over the river valley more than a dedicated sightseeing detour.

The day-use area is on the western side; Aire River East Campground is a separate overnight site across the river. The managing authority describes level compacted-gravel parking near the picnic area, with an accessible toilet and standard cubicles in the day visitor area. Food service and potable water weren't confirmed for this day-use stop, so don't count on it as a resupply point.

The Aire runs through a broad floodplain where the Aire, Calder and Ford river systems join before reaching the Southern Ocean through an estuarine lake complex west of Cape Otway. Forest, wetland, river and coast come together across this wider landscape, giving the picnic area a more open river-valley feel than the Otways' waterfall stops.

The wider Aire River area is known for birdlife as well as river views. Take a little time to scan the wetland edge while you sit; this is a place for noticing the broad landscape rather than chasing one guaranteed wildlife sighting.