Johanna is a rural farming settlement stretching along the coast
between Glenaire and Lavers Hill. Rolling hills and lush rain
forest meet at the foot of the wild Southern Ocean.
Johanna is named after the schooner "Joanna" that was wrecked
at the mouth of the Johanna River on 22 September 1843.
The area is steeped in history, from the discovery of dinosaur
fossils in the Glenaire Valley to the Cape Otway Lightstation, the
oldest of its type on mainland Australia.
This region is home to spectacular sections of the Great Ocean
Walk which can be done independently or with the assistance of
guides or tour operators, depending on your requirements.
There are also many diverse choices of accommodation along the way
from camping at designated sites to luxury homes and villas.
The surf beach at Johanna is a stretch of beach breaks, or
beach and reef, noted for its power and reputation for rapid jumps
in size. The Bells Beach Surf Classic competition has
been moved from Bells Beach to Johanna on occasions as the
westerly facing of Johanna Beach picks up swell that misses Bells
and the Surf Coast. Johanna beach is also a very popular
fishing spot particularly for school salmon.
For more information on the Great Ocean Walk, visit:
www.greatoceanwalk.com.au
For up to date conditions in the Great Otway National Park
visit:
www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/explore/parks/great-otway-national-park#changeOfConditions