Van Life Along The Great Ocean Road

Road-tripping is the perfect way to travel the Great Ocean Road. The great thing about this stretch of land is that it’s very accommodating for van life. There are campsites, outdoor facilities, and well-maintained roads throughout this region of Victoria. So pack your van and let’s explore The Great Ocean Road together!

Road Trip The Great Ocean Road

While private tours or weekend trips away are amazing experiences, they don’t quite compare to living the van life. A huge element is the freedom camping provides. You can just pull up your van in any one of the amazing sites along the coast, and be right amongst nature.

Accommodation can be pricey along the Victorian coastline, so having a warm bed inside your van will certainly save you hundreds of dollars. Many of the campsites in this region are equipped with fresh water, toilets, and cooking spots so you can still enjoy the necessities.

Van life also offers the benefit of bringing your belongings with you. You can pack your surfboard and hiking gear without having to lug it around from hotel to hotel. If you’re sleeping at the beach all you have to do is grab your board and jump in the ocean!

How To Prepare For A Van Life Adventure

Make sure to book your campsites in advance so you don’t miss out on the best spots. Remember that camping in your van on the side of the road, at beaches, or in carparks is not permitted and you may be fined.

Before you take off, you want to make sure you’ve packed all the right things for your van dwelling. You’ll be driving around in a small space, and you need to make sure that everything has its place so that nothing gets lost or damaged.

Make sure that your van is fully prepared for your trip: check all the lights, fuses and fluids; make sure there are no leaks anywhere; clean out any leftover food and drinks; give it a good vacuum so it smells nice. Then pack! Here’s what we recommend putting into your van:

Sleeping bag & pillow (or mattress) — You’re going to want something soft to sleep on if possible. Inflatable mattresses are great options. Make sure you pack warm sleeping gear, there’s a lot of cool wind in this region.
Tent — Camping means freedom! It’s always good to have a spare tent, you never know when it’ll come in handy. You might go for a hike or simply want to sleep outside.
Kitchen items: pots, pans, plates/bowls/mugs, a cutlery set (knife included), salt & pepper shakers, cooking utensils, tea towel, and washing-up equipment.

Best Hidden Beaches Along The Great Ocean Road

Now that you’re packed, you’ll want to know what the best destinations are. Beaches are everything along The Great Ocean Road so bring your snorkel and surfboard! Here are some great beaches to visit and camp at.

Bells Beach
Torquay Front Beach
Lorne Main Beach
Fairhaven Beach
Johanna Beach
Gibson Steps
Loch Ard Gorge Beach
Port Campbell Beach
Childers Cove Beach
Logans Beach
Plus many more!

Camping Locations

There are countless camping sites along the coastline, which is amazing for van life but can make it a headache to choose which ones are worthwhile and which are not. Here are some of the top camping locations.

Port Campbell Recreation Reserve
Princetown Recreation Reserve
Johanna Beach Campground
Aire River East and West
Bimbi Park
Blanket Bay Campground
Marengo Holiday Park
Jamieson Creek Campground
Big Hill Campground
Hammonds Road Campground