Jon L.recommendsFebruary 10, 2024
Bells Beach Camping
Off grid living with a dog pool!
It’s really just a paddock and dam with properties either side. So no walks on the property as such as you will soon cross the boundary. However there was no one near us at all and our Labrador absolutely LOVED the dam, must have jumped in 50 times and swam around in circles! So nice to be able to leave her off lead. Would have been nice to light a fire but too risky in summer. Def recommend it if this is what you are looking for - so much better than a caravan park!!
Bells Beach Camping
Less then ideal
This campsite offered an excellent location, especially for those seeking proximity to Torquay or the Great Ocean Road. However, notable flaws marred our experience:
1. I booked the site for a 2-night stay a week in advance, necessitating a change in the start date. Despite multiple attempts to communicate and seek approval from the owner, the lack of response was frustrating. After following up three times, I had to adjust my plans to meet the original start date.
2. Advertised as a private site, we were puzzled to find a large tent already set up in the camping area upon arrival. Despite attempts to contact the host through calls, messages, and texts, there was no response initially. When the host eventually replied, they casually explained it belonged to friends and was a regular occurrence, asking us not to worry.
3. Although the campsite was marketed as dog-friendly, our unsocial and nervous dog faced challenges as the neighbors' dog repeatedly entered our campsite. The neighbors walked past twice, allowing their dog to follow into our site.
4. On the second day, another couple arrived, claiming to have booked the same site and were perplexed about where to camp. Like us, they were also unable to reach the host.
5. Additionally, there is a duplicate listing on Hipcamp with a different owner, creating confusion about the campsite's status and ownership.
In summary, while the location was ideal, the issues with communication, privacy, and the presenc