OurTripDreaming: Aire River Campground to Johanna Beach Campground (GOW Trip)

22 February 2024 (Day 5) 18-37 degrees

Overnight was very windy, with lots of stars. When we arrived the hike-in camp seemed too sheltered, but we were grateful for this overnight.

The forecast for today was for very hot weather – and it did not disappoint. The air was hot even before sunrise with a strong hot wind from the west. I was grateful that today’s section was not through significant forest (like Day 6 will be) as the fire danger would be very high.

https://www.greatoceanwalk.info/aire-river-to-johanna-beach-hike/

There was a steady climb up from the campground to begin with. This then gave great views both southeast and northwest as we worked our way along the escarpment. There was also a section where we walked above the beach but below the escarpment for a period. Down at the edge of one of the rock platforms we could see a lone snorkeller diving for ??. They did not appear to have anyone with them; even though the sea was calm, I would not wish to go in alone. The Southern Ocean is too powerful for me.

https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/places-to-see/sites/castle-cove-lookout

As we got close to Castle Cove we could see traffic passing on the Great Ocean Road. As we continued past Castle Cove we could see down into Hidden Lagoon, very picturesque. The walk today provided continuing good views with a small area of shaded fern gully. At each end of the old quarry were fully operational boot cleaning stations complete with water and whatever agent they put in it. The walk through the moist eucalyptus and grass tree forest was magical- protected from the sun and listening to the wind roar through the trees above us in waves but pass us as a breeze.

The path then drops quickly down to Johanna Beach. We didn’t even notice Browns Creek as we “crossed” it. The walk northwest along Johanna Beach was tough - full sun, soft sand and a head wind strong enough to make me stumble as I tried to turn around to look back the way we had come. Sand in my teeth and even inside my socks. I could literally watch my footprints disappear. No photos along this stretch as I did not wish to risk my phone being sandblasted. The wind had obscured my footprints by the time Drew had started to enter the area that was protected from the wind and I could get my camera out. Then another climb up to a campground which is surprisingly protected from the wind and has incredible views over the ocean and Johanna Beach. We arrived overheated with minimal water left in our initially full water bladders - glad we opted to fill them all the way and leave camp early this morning, despite the relatively short distance.

Johanna River Crossing

https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/places-to-see/sites/great-ocean-walk---johanna-beach-hike-in-campsites

We took over the shelter shed when we arrived as we were the only ones here and decided we will set up the tent when we are a bit cooler. We put in lots of fluids and gave ourselves a cool wipe down. We spent some time watching a koala in the campground and the changing face of the Southern Ocean as the promised cool change moved through. Temperature today topped at 36.7 degrees Celcius and is expected to be down to 13 overnight. Oddly our clothes did not dry despite the temperature. In the late afternoon Drew saw a peregrine falcon over the cliff edge.

Good Telstra coverage at campsite