Lake Elizabeth & Aire River 6th - 9th Dec 2024

3 days of paddling in the Otway Ranges, camping at Parks Vic campgrounds at Lake Elizabeth (near Forrest) and at Aire River EAST campground (sheltered) near the mouth of the Aire River.  

Friday 6th December:

Arrive at Lake Elizabeth - 2 campsites have been booked for this event, each can hold up to 6 persons, tents only, no campers or caravans.  Evening paddle/walk and early Saturday morning paddle/walk.  

All campsites are unpowered and are suitable for tents only. There is no direct vehicle access to the campsites. A 15-minute unloading bay is located close by and a separate carpark is located above and behind the campground just a two minute walk away.

Non flush toilets, shared fireplaces and picnic tables are provided. 

Lake Elizabeth is a 1km walk from the campground on a narrow track - suitable for inflatable kayaks. Flooded after a landslip created a natural dam, the lake is scattered with the still-upright trunks of dead trees, giving an eerie atmosphere to the valley. Platypus are sometimes seen early morning and at dusk in the still waters. A host of birds live in the area and Satin Bowerbirds (the male dark satin blue and the female is olive green) are often seen near the camping round. Wrens, robins and grey shrike thrush also visit regularly. You may see glowworms beside this track after dark.

Saturday 7th December:

Early (dawn) paddle or walk (5.5 km) at Lake Elizabeth before relocating to Aire River EAST campground (1.5 hrs travel) which is off the Great Ocean Road -  turn onto Horden Vale Road to reach Aire River East Campground.

Please make your own booking for this venue.  (Do not book at Aire River WEST which is an exposed campground).  Suggested sites are 10-15.  This campground contains 20 grassy campsites. Each campsite accommodates a maximum of six people. Campsites 01-04 are only suitable for smaller tents, while campsites 10-20 can cater to large caravans too. All campsites are unpowered.  There are non flush toilets only.

Afternoon paddle exploring Lake Craven and Lake Costin off the Aire River - subject to water levels.

Sunday  8th December:

All day paddle - explore the  Aire River with the option of Ford River and Lake Hordern (subject to water levels)

Monday 9th December:

Return home for those who have work commitments.   An option would be for participants to stop and paddle the Barwon and overnight in Geelong before returning home.

What to Bring = Tent for Lake Elizabeth, all paddling/walking equipment, first aid kit and PECMI form; All food and water required.

What to do once you have registered for this event - provide your car registration number to Avenel for the Lake Elizabeth campsite booking; and confirm your site number.

Enquiries : Avenel 0400744920 (after 7pm please)