Johanna Beach

Johanna Beach is the wild, exposed surf beach in the Great Otway National Park west of Apollo Bay, reached off the Great Ocean Road near Glenaire. It is popular with experienced surfers and surf anglers, and schools of salmon are the reason for the latter. Mullet and gummy sharks are also on the cards, and the odd mulloway proves the beach can surprise. It is a long way from anywhere, which is precisely the point.

Camp behind the dunes and you can fish both ends of the day without a drive. The Johanna River mouth at the eastern end is the first place to look — its outflow cuts a gutter that salmon patrol on the rising tide. Bluebait or pilchard on a paternoster, or a metal slug cast across the outflow, find them; mullet take small baits right in the wash. After dark, swap to fresh salmon fillet on a heavier rig for gummies, which is about when the campfire debates start.

Australian salmon are the main target, with mullet, gummy sharks and the occasional mulloway. Victorian limits: Australian salmon 21 cm with 20 combined with Australian herring, mullet no minimum and 40 combined, gummy shark 45 cm partial length with 2 combined with school shark. Mulloway are currently 60 cm with a bag of 5, but changes have been proposed, so check VFA before keeping one. Gummy sharks must be kept whole until you leave the beach.

Hooded plovers nest above the high-tide line between August and February, so keep below it and walk around fenced or signed nesting areas. The beach is unpatrolled, so fish in pairs and tell someone your plans. There is no drinking water at the campground.

Turn off the Great Ocean Road near Glenaire and follow the gravel roads down to the beach. Johanna Beach Campground has 25 unpowered sites, non-flush toilets and an accessible toilet; bring your own drinking water, and solid-fuel fires are not permitted. Bookings are made online, and minimum stays apply over peak summer dates. The campground opens straight onto the beach, but the way down to the sand is not wheelchair-accessible.

Johanna faces the Southern Ocean and is more exposed than most of the coast. A moderate south-westerly swell builds good gutters, but a big swell makes it dangerous and unfishable. Northerly winds blow offshore and clean it up. Rising tides at dawn and dusk are best for salmon, and calm nights for gummies.

This beach is unpatrolled, exposed and has strong rips — do not wade out to cast, and never fish it alone. Big swell can surge high up the beach without warning. Mobile reception is patchy. If someone is in trouble in the water, throw something that floats and call 000.

Yes. Johanna is a popular surf-fishing beach, well outside the marine national parks.

Salmon are the main catch, with mullet, gummy sharks and the occasional mulloway.

No. Johanna Beach is unpatrolled and more exposed than most of the coast, so take extra care.

Yes. Johanna Beach Campground has 25 unpowered sites and non-flush toilets; bring drinking water and book online.