Great Ocean Walk Accommodation at Johanna
Great Ocean Walk Accommodation at Johanna
Walk. Rest. Recharge.
Discover the Great Ocean Walk from the comfort of The Roost Johanna. Located approximately 1 km from the trail near Johanna Beach, our two private, self-contained cottages offer a peaceful place to rest, recharge and reconnect with nature.
Whether you’re tackling the full Great Ocean Walk, looking for a comfortable midway stop, or exploring individual sections on day walks, The Roost is an ideal base in the heart of the Otways.
With ocean and valley views, spa baths, cosy gas log fireplaces and laundry facilities, you’ll find everything you need to unwind after a day on the trail.
Great Ocean Walk Accommodation – The Perfect Midway Stop
The Great Ocean Walk stretches approximately 104 km from Apollo Bay to the Twelve Apostles, winding through spectacular coastline, forests and secluded beaches.
Johanna is situated around the middle of the route, making The Roost a convenient place to break your journey.
Swap your hiking pack for a comfortable bed, soak tired muscles in a spa bath, wash and dry your walking clothes, and enjoy a relaxing evening surrounded by nature.
Why Hikers Love The Roost
- Approximately 1 km from the Great Ocean Walk near Johanna Beach
- Two private, fully self-contained cottages
- Spa baths for relaxing after a long day’s walking
- Laundry facilities to refresh your hiking gear
- Fully equipped kitchens for preparing your own meals
- Comfortable beds, gas log fireplaces and beautiful rural views
- Opportunity to arrange grocery deliveries and restock supplies (enquire here)
Whether you stay for a night or take a longer break, The Roost offers a welcome change from camping along the trail.
Choose Cottage One for a peaceful couples retreat, or Cottage Two for families and friends exploring the Great Ocean Walk and Johanna coastline.
Restock and Recharge
A multi-day walk takes planning, and Johanna is a relatively remote part of the Great Ocean Road.
At The Roost, you can prepare meals in your own kitchen and organise supplies for the next leg of your journey.
Coles offers online grocery delivery, and guests may be able to arrange delivery to the property, subject to delivery availability for their dates and address.
We recommend organising your order in advance and confirming the delivery arrangements before setting off on the trail.
After a day of walking, there’s nothing quite like a hot soak, a home-cooked meal and a comfortable night’s sleep.
Explore the Great Ocean Walk at Your Own Pace
You don’t need to walk the entire 104 km to experience the Great Ocean Walk.
The Roost is also an excellent base for day walkers who want to explore different sections of the trail while returning to the comfort of their own cottage each evening.
Discover rugged coastal scenery, quiet beaches, towering forests and abundant wildlife, without the need to carry camping equipment or move accommodation every day.
Choose a different section of the walk each day, enjoy the journey at your own pace, and return to The Roost to relax.
Suggested day walks…
Cape Otway to Aire River
The walk from the lighthouse to Aire River winds its way through wind sculpted landscapes of sand dunes, coastal scrub-land and magnificent calcified cliffs. The next must see feature after the lighthouse is Rainbow Falls. At the right time of day, when the light is shining upon it, the colours in the Falls can be magical. They are spring-fed and trickle through algae to the rock platform below.
From Rainbow Falls, depending on the tides, there is the option to walk the inland route to the Aire River Lookout or a much better – but harder – walk along Station Beach. Station beach is a magnificent wild beach, with pounding waves and lots of ocean driftwood ( and detritus!) plus a great chance to see endangered Hooded Plovers which often race along the beach ahead of walkers. Be warned – keep away from the water’s edge and walk a line in-between the high water mark and the sand dunes where the plovers nest.
At the Aire River Lookout there are great views down to the estuary where the Aire River meets the Southern Ocean and Glenaire Beach. The wetlands look quite spectacular from this vantage point and it is a nice steady downhill walk from to the Aire River bridge which crosses the river to the picnic and campsite areas. Aire River is a serene and beautiful spot which has a campground and shelter. more info…
Aire River to Johanna Beach
From Aire River the track heads inland for a while, climbing up and around the next headland through spinifex forests, and then continues along the coastal path with sweeping views of the rugged coastline. Expect some ups and downs with a little climbing before you get to Castle Cove. Located on a spectacular bend of the Great Ocean Road at Glenaire, Castle Cove is a beautiful beach surrounded by towering cliffs which have high archaeological significance, as dinosaur fossils have been found here.
From Castle Cove the track winds its way along the cliff tops, through heath-lands and forests, occasionally emerging to give breathtaking and extensive views along the coast. The forest here is an interesting mixture of manna gums, spring wildflowers and magnificent expanses of grass trees. Make sure you keep an eye out above for Peregrine Falcons.
Eventually you will emerge onto the broad expanse of Johanna Beach. This beautiful beach is one of the best in Australia with superb views and enormous crashing surf. more info…
Johanna Beach to Ryan's Den
The walk from Johanna Beach to Ryans Den cuts through alternates between farmland and the isolated beach and sea cliffs of Milanesia, then roller coasters up and down the coast to reach Ryan’s Den. From Johanna Beach the track rises through rolling hills and farmland as it cuts inland before returning to the coast and one of the walk’s highlights: Milanesia Beach. Expect to see Eastern Grey Kangaroo in the grassy valleys out from Johanna Beach.
Isolated, rugged and hidden, Milanesia Beach receives few visitors and is all the more special for it. Look for the “beachcomber’s cottage” when you reach the beach.
From here the trail continues along the high sea cliffs to Ryans Den with breathtaking views all the way back to Cape Otway, and west to Cape Volley. more info…
Distances depend on the trailhead and route used; walkers should check current conditions and shuttle arrangements. Visit Great Ocean Walk for more information
Walking Transfers and Local Support
Planning a point-to-point walk? Local walking and shuttle operators can assist with transport and logistics, allowing you to explore sections of the Great Ocean Walk without needing to retrace your steps.
For walking support and shuttle enquiries, visit
We recommend contacting the operator directly to confirm current services, availability and collection points.
Your Great Ocean Walk Retreat
Whether you’re celebrating the halfway point of a multi-day adventure, taking a well-earned rest day or planning a series of spectacular coastal walks, The Roost offers a welcoming place to stay.
Leave the trail behind for a little while. Soak, rest and recharge at The Roost Johanna.