Otways & Great Ocean Road Dog friendly camping guide

Important Information

Always check up to date government safety information + dog-friendly status before visiting all destinations. Before travelling speak to your vet for advice on hazards such as snakes, baits & ticks. This website has ads + affiliate links.

There are some really nice places to go camping with your dog in the Otways Ranges and Great Ocean Road and hopefully more will come in the future!

The Otways and the Great Ocean Road overlap in many places so I have grouped them together in this guide. I will add more sites as I find them.

Read about more nearby dog friendly things to do

Dog friendly Bush Camping

Stevensons Falls

Stevensons Falls campground is on Foresty Managed Land and surrounded by a mix of plantation and native vetegetation.

The campground has a toilet and is free.

You can walk to Stevensons Falls from the campground or if you prefer a shorter walk jump in the car and drive to the picnic area to do the short walk to stevensons falls.

Lake Elizabeth

Lake Elizabeth is a tent only campground surrounded by towering gum trees, a short drive from the town of Forrest.

Its a great spot for a weekend away as there are dog friendly walks to Lake Elizabath as well as nearby Stevensons Falls. There is also dog dog friendly front tables at nearby chocolate factory and in the brewery beer garden if you fancy some food.

For those who need a bit more to do there are tens of kms of mountain bike tracks in the bush around the town.

There no car/van camping at Lake Elizabeth, only tent camping. You can camp with vans at Stevensons Falls as there are many pull in areas as well as grassy spots.

Dandos Campground

Dandos Campground is another dog friendly campground in the Otway Ranges that is located in the Otway Forest Park (You can find out more information in the vic gov ’more to explore’ app – dogs are allowed in most Forest Parks in Victoria with a few exceptions).

It’s a bit of a long windy drive on a gravel road in but this campground is very popular as it’s located on the Gellibrand River.


Dog friendly Beach Camping

Johanna Beach Campground 

Johanna Beach campground is a dog friendly (on lead) campground on the Great Ocean Road that is a short walk from Johanna Beach which, a beautiful rugged beach on the coastline that often has huge waves. At low tide, there are rock pools to explore along the beach.

The campground does not have much shade, it’s more like paddock grassland and there is little designation between campsites so this is not the spot to go for a private camping experience away from others. You may wish to avoid this campground on hot days in summer due to the lack of shade.


Dog friendly Caravan Parks

Dog friendly Camping Apollo Bay

Marengo Caravan Park

Located 2km from Apollo Bay township the Marengo Ocean front Caravan Park in Apollo Bay has dog friendly campsites, some with gorgeous ocean views.

If you can’t be bothered camping they also have dog friendly accommodation options.

Other Camping Options

Hi camps can be a great option to stay with your dog, they are particularly good for dogs that need a bit more space and don’t cope well camping next to other dogs or people. Hi Camps is like air bnb for private land, your renting a campsite on private property.

HANDY DOG FRIENDLY TRAVEL PRODUCTS

Sling Guard Car Seat Cover

Investing in a ‘Sling Guard’ car seat cover was one of the best purchases I have made for travelling with my dog in the car at home and on holidays (after my 33kg dog broke multiple cheap ones on the first car trip).

It has big strong zips and is double-sided, one fluffy and soft and the other a bit tougher, with a waterproof layer in between.

But it’s good for more than just the car – I have used it for Dusty and a foster dog to chill on next to the camp fire when camping, on her bed when she’s wet so it can be removed and she has somewhere dry to sleep later and to protect the furniture in dog friendly holiday cabin.

I have had this cover for over 4 years and it’s still going strong.

I accidentally jammed clips in the door over time when I wasn’t paying attention and have just replaced them with those Sea to Summit replacement buckles.

Australian Made Dog Food

Image opens on Pet Parlour

Prime 100 Air range is high quality single protein air dried food. They are an Australian Made alternative to brands like Ziwi and are high in protein (and are priced accordingly).

I use it to offset feeding lower protein PFIAA approved meat rolls or balls from the supermarket when camping and I can’t make homemade food.

There area also a good size for food toys.

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