Showgrounds or good cheep camp sites along The Great Ocean Road
TraceyandKim said
09:34 AM Aug 26, 2011
Hi all
Can you recommend Showgrounds or good cheep camp sites along The Great Ocean Road.
And must see places
Thank you Tracey and Kim
Vic said
10:20 AM Aug 26, 2011
I haven't done the GOR myself (but hope to one day) but have seen a few posts saying that the towns located along there frown on free/cheap/showground camping, but other seasoned GOR travellers would best advise you.
Have you checked on Camps 6?
NeilandRaine said
11:35 AM Aug 26, 2011
We did the GOR earlier this year and believe me free spots are few and far between. I saw a few people pulled in just past port Cambell but other than that nothing. We stayed at the Warnambool showground for $20 a night, not flash but cheaper than c/ps
Esmeralda said
01:13 PM Aug 26, 2011
If you are not travelling in the summer there are a couple of foreshore parks still left and these are cheaper than private caravan parks. In summer they are allocated on a ballot system. Same down Mornington Peninsula.
jimbo said
01:47 PM Aug 26, 2011
Sorry Tracy and Kim Nothing cheap or free down that way....The councils and their Lap Lap boys are right onto anybody that even stops too look at the Ocean.....Such a shame too........
blaze said
02:34 PM Aug 26, 2011
seems to me the more touristy a place is the less free/cheap camping there is. I always find that the further inland and more isolated you get the more you are welcomed. I have done the great ocean road 3 times now and although bautiful I have been less than inpressed with the supply of goods and services. cheers blaze
Cupie said
03:41 PM Aug 26, 2011
We've traveled the GOR twice before & will be down there early Oct.
Last time we stayed on the lake at Colac (I hear that its full again). We did day trips from there.
This time we will stay at Port Fairy for a few days & drive the west half on day trips.
We'll then pull the van across the Princess highway to Queenscliffe (stayed there B4 .. very pricey) or Torquay or maybe Anglesea & day trip the eastern half from there.
We are then well placed to get an early ferry across to Sorento.
When choosing our stop overs our main consideration is the aspect/view. SWMBO prefers CPs even though we are self sufficient for 3 or 4 days.
We didn't like the coast CPs on the GOR ... maybe because they were chock a block & full of out of control kids at the time. Although Colac is a bit of a drive away I was great on the grass beside the lake.
Having said that I be watching this thread for other opinions.
jimsiron said
06:48 PM Aug 26, 2011
Check out Johanna beach camp ground, there is a fee but I think it is reasonable. We have just come back from doing the GOR with our new van but we didn't stay there as too wet. We based ourselves in warrnambool for 5 days and then worked our way east staying in Apollo Bay, Anglesea and Queenscliffe and also got one of the early ferrys which is cheaper. regards Jimsiron
jules47 said
07:02 PM Aug 26, 2011
Cupie - it is the Princes Highway - male road,not female. Great Ocean Road is pretty commercialised - so what you are doing sounds llike the way to go - when you get off the ferry and look around there - head towards the Westernport Bay side - can be a bit cheaper - and I think you can camp at the Berwick showgrounds.
Sandra K said
09:25 PM Aug 26, 2011
Can recommend the Gardens Caravan Park in Port Fairy (Council run), Hopkins River CP which is close to Warrnambool, Wye River CP (either the Council run or the Big 4), definatly the Riverside CP in Anglesea, St Leonards CP (privately run) and friends have stayed at the showgrounds in Geelong. Portarlington is a nice spot too. There is some free camping at Skenes Creek, is low lying so I would not be too sure of the condition going in and out at the moment.
gubby said
09:33 PM Aug 26, 2011
If you want to stay somewhere and do day trips we used to stay at Forrest CP was a very pretty area and reasonably priced, but that was many years ago, may be worth a look.
Also Gellibrand CP was another...
Ma said
09:48 PM Aug 26, 2011
We have stayed at the van park in Port Campbell a couple of times. Nice new amenities and quite a pleasant place for a couple of days. From memory the tarrif last time we were there, earlier this year, was $27pn, so not really a cheapie but then nothing is along the GOR
TraceyandKim said
07:29 AM Aug 27, 2011
Dear all
Thank you so much for your replies, we do appreciate it.
Let you know how we get on.
Plan to stay at Robe for the first night.
Kind Regards
Tracey and Kim
Vic said
01:01 PM Aug 27, 2011
Can someone tell me what this ferry ride is, I haven't heard of it before (where it leaves from, where it goes, prices etc)
Thanks Vic
Cupie said
01:10 PM Aug 27, 2011
Thanks from me too....
The plan is evolving ... maybe something like
.. a few days at Pt.Fairy Gardens
.. then on to Port Cambpbell (ran into a tree there once .. SWMBO's fault of course)
.. Princes Highway to Riverside Anglesea.
.. Early ferry (meet friends living at Mt Eliza)
Cupie said
01:24 PM Aug 27, 2011
Vic wrote:
Can someone tell me what this ferry ride is, I haven't heard of it before (where it leaves from, where it goes, prices etc)
Thanks Vic
Vic .. Just google Vehicle ferries Queenscliffe (searoad.com.au)
In general the ferry leaves on the hour from 7am.
Costs seem to be
.. vehicle $48 +
.. Passengers $7.50 each, +
.. Van $9/M or $22 special at 7am & 8AM Thats why we'll go early.
No bookings .. get there 20m early.
Gerty Dancer said
03:44 PM Aug 27, 2011
Theres camping at the showground (or footy oval) in Princeton, on the Eastern end of the GOR. BUT, if the river is up because its blocked by a sandbar, or after heavy rain, you'd be paddling.
jules47 said
03:54 PM Aug 27, 2011
The ferry from Queenscliff to Sorrento crosses Port Philip Bay, near the Rip, which is where ships enter or leave the bay, it can be really rough through there - but worth the ferry ride to get up close.
Along the way, you will usually see heaps of other craft on the water, and on the Sorrento side you go past some of the huge houses at Portsea - including Lindsay Fox's place with his private helipad out front. People like Harold Holt (drowned PM) had a house there, and heaps of others - some of them are amazing, and this is the only way to see them - usually got big fences or hedges on the roadside. Sorrento is a nice village with good shopping, and lots of touristy things -good museum at the end of the main street, and you have access to the Back Beach, which is on Bass Strait, lots of rock pools, couple of good walks to lookouts etc.
You can also drive out to Portsea to the old quarantine station, there is a walk that takes you right to the rip, or bike ride if you like. The back beach at Portsea is where Harold Holt drowned (actually Cheviot Beach-which was on restricted land, don't know if it still is). When you land in Sorrento - take a look at the pier, the crossways bit at the end is where they landed a huge shark years ago - took up half the length of the pier - I walked on the sharks back - a lifesaver had been taken by a shark, and they caught this one, but there was no evidence it was the one who took the lifesaver. Just a bit of trivia for you.
Happywanderer said
06:40 PM Aug 27, 2011
Vic If you are wanting to get from the Bellarine Peninsula to the Mornington Peninsula, to save going all the way around through Melbourne, take the ferry from Queenscliffe to Sorrento. Takes about 40 minutes and a lot easier to get to places like Philip Island etc. It beats the long drive through the city of Melbourne anytime.
jimbo said
11:43 AM Aug 28, 2011
Yes blue Johanna beach is Okay if you can put up with the flies..Huge monsters There are a few Dairy farms there.....There are toilets and water and a fee it used to be free...But the councils love a Dollar.....think there may be something at lavers Hill
TraceyandKim said
08:34 AM Sep 6, 2011
Hi Guys
We are off to Melbourne tomorrow can you recommend a caravan park on the outskirts of the city so we do not have to drive in he city?
We are at Apollo Bay, what a fab spot.
Kind Regards Tracey and Kim
Ma said
10:23 AM Sep 6, 2011
We stay at Wantirna when we have to go to Melb. It was $25pn earlier in the year. You have to book though as there isn't usually any availble sites just off the cuff, although you could get lucky I suppose.
The other one we stayed at when we couldn't get into Wantirna was Doncaster. It was winter time then and it was rather damp but has probably dried out somewhat now. Same price as above.
TraceyandKim said
03:28 PM Sep 6, 2011
Thank u Tracey and kim
TraceyandKim said
06:26 AM Sep 8, 2011
Hi Ma
We are at the Wantirna Caravan park, great location, off to see Melbourne today.
Thank you for the recommendation.
Tracey and Kim
_wombat_ said
08:44 AM Sep 8, 2011
Happywanderer wrote:
Vic If you are wanting to get from the Bellarine Peninsula to the Mornington Peninsula, to save going all the way around through Melbourne, take the ferry from Queenscliffe to Sorrento. Takes about 40 minutes and a lot easier to get to places like Philip Island etc. It beats the long drive through the city of Melbourne anytime.
HW, we did that, at the time there was a special on for caravans if you got on the first two boats out of Sorrento, was a early start for the day
Ma said
01:56 PM Sep 8, 2011
TraceyandKim wrote:
Hi Ma
We are at the Wantirna Caravan park, great location, off to see Melbourne today.
Thank you for the recommendation.
Tracey and Kim
Glad you like the park T & K. Good base near to most things. don't forget to catch the bus to Knox City. One of the biggest shopping centres I have ever seen. Oh, there is a trash and treasure market just a few hundred yards up from the park every Saturday (well within walking distance) and they start at 7am I think and go till 1 and by 1.30 the old drive in theatre where it is held is vacant So be early if you are going to go.
TraceyandKim said
04:39 PM Sep 8, 2011
Ma
Had a great day in city, we are going on our way tomorrow, making our way to Newcastle, well not all in one day, will stop halfway, but thank u for the shopping mail tip will look that up next time we are this way.
Hi all
Can you recommend Showgrounds or good cheep camp sites along The Great Ocean Road.
And must see places
Thank you Tracey and Kim
Have you checked on Camps 6?
We stayed at the Warnambool showground for $20 a night, not flash but cheaper than c/ps
If you are not travelling in the summer there are a couple of foreshore parks still left and these are cheaper than private caravan parks. In summer they are allocated on a ballot system. Same down Mornington Peninsula.
Sorry Tracy and Kim Nothing cheap or free down that way....The councils and their Lap Lap boys are right onto anybody that even stops too look at the Ocean.....Such a shame too........
cheers
blaze
We've traveled the GOR twice before & will be down there early Oct.
Last time we stayed on the lake at Colac (I hear that its full again). We did day trips from there.
This time we will stay at Port Fairy for a few days & drive the west half on day trips.
We'll then pull the van across the Princess highway to Queenscliffe (stayed there B4 .. very pricey) or Torquay or maybe Anglesea & day trip the eastern half from there.
We are then well placed to get an early ferry across to Sorento.
When choosing our stop overs our main consideration is the aspect/view. SWMBO prefers CPs even though we are self sufficient for 3 or 4 days.
We didn't like the coast CPs on the GOR ... maybe because they were chock a block & full of out of control kids at the time. Although Colac is a bit of a drive away I was great on the grass beside the lake.
Having said that I be watching this thread for other opinions.
regards
Jimsiron
If you want to stay somewhere and do day trips we used to stay at Forrest CP was a very pretty area and reasonably priced, but that was many years ago, may be worth a look.
Also Gellibrand CP was another...
We have stayed at the van park in Port Campbell a couple of times. Nice new amenities and quite a pleasant place for a couple of days. From memory the tarrif last time we were there, earlier this year, was $27pn, so not really a cheapie but then nothing is along the GOR
Thank you so much for your replies, we do appreciate it.
Let you know how we get on.
Plan to stay at Robe for the first night.
Kind Regards
Tracey and Kim
Thanks
Vic
Thanks from me too....
The plan is evolving ... maybe something like
.. a few days at Pt.Fairy Gardens
.. then on to Port Cambpbell (ran into a tree there once .. SWMBO's fault of course)
.. Princes Highway to Riverside Anglesea.
.. Early ferry (meet friends living at Mt Eliza)
Vic .. Just google Vehicle ferries Queenscliffe (searoad.com.au)
In general the ferry leaves on the hour from 7am.
Costs seem to be
.. vehicle $48 +
.. Passengers $7.50 each, +
.. Van $9/M or $22 special at 7am & 8AM Thats why we'll go early.
No bookings .. get there 20m early.
Along the way, you will usually see heaps of other craft on the water, and on the Sorrento side you go past some of the huge houses at Portsea - including Lindsay Fox's place with his private helipad out front. People like Harold Holt (drowned PM) had a house there, and heaps of others - some of them are amazing, and this is the only way to see them - usually got big fences or hedges on the roadside. Sorrento is a nice village with good shopping, and lots of touristy things -good museum at the end of the main street, and you have access to the Back Beach, which is on Bass Strait, lots of rock pools, couple of good walks to lookouts etc.
You can also drive out to Portsea to the old quarantine station, there is a walk that takes you right to the rip, or bike ride if you like. The back beach at Portsea is where Harold Holt drowned (actually Cheviot Beach-which was on restricted land, don't know if it still is). When you land in Sorrento - take a look at the pier, the crossways bit at the end is where they landed a huge shark years ago - took up half the length of the pier - I walked on the sharks back - a lifesaver had been taken by a shark, and they caught this one, but there was no evidence it was the one who took the lifesaver.
Just a bit of trivia for you.
It beats the long drive through the city of Melbourne anytime.
Yes blue Johanna beach is Okay if you can put up with the flies..Huge monsters There are a few Dairy farms there.....There are toilets and water and a fee it used to be free...But the councils love a Dollar.....think there may be something at lavers Hill
Hi Guys
We are off to Melbourne tomorrow can you recommend a caravan park on the outskirts of the city so we do not have to drive in he city?
We are at Apollo Bay, what a fab spot.
Kind Regards
Tracey and Kim
We stay at Wantirna when we have to go to Melb. It was $25pn earlier in the year. You have to book though as there isn't usually any availble sites just off the cuff, although you could get lucky I suppose.
The other one we stayed at when we couldn't get into Wantirna was Doncaster. It was winter time then and it was rather damp but has probably dried out somewhat now. Same price as above.
Thank u Tracey and kim
Hi Ma
We are at the Wantirna Caravan park, great location, off to see Melbourne today.
Thank you for the recommendation.
Tracey and Kim
HW, we did that, at the time there was a special on for caravans if you got on the first two boats out of Sorrento, was a early start for the day
Glad you like the park T & K. Good base near to most things. don't forget to catch the bus to Knox City. One of the biggest shopping centres I have ever seen. Oh, there is a trash and treasure market just a few hundred yards up from the park every Saturday (well within walking distance) and they start at 7am I think and go till 1 and by 1.30 the old drive in theatre where it is held is vacant So be early if you are going to go.
Ma
Had a great day in city, we are going on our way tomorrow, making our way to Newcastle, well not all in one day, will stop halfway, but thank u for the shopping mail tip will look that up next time we are this way.
kind regards
Tracey and Kim