Not so long ago Johanna was off the beaten track, hardly anyone knew the place existed apart from locals and the odd surfer and fisherman. Now, it’s a different story. The word is out that Johanna is one of the most beautiful locations along the entire Great Ocean Road. Johanna is 35 kilometres west of Apollo Bay which is approximately at the half way mark of both the Great Ocean Road and the Great Ocean Walk. It is quickly becoming one of the must stay locations on the Great Ocean Road. Why? Johanna is simply sensational. State forests merge with lovingly cut green paddocks where cows, kangaroos and wild deer sometimes enjoy a feed together. Undulating green hills slowly meander down towards the beach and what a beach it is. Johanna Beach is not to be missed. Easily one of the best beaches in the country, it stretches for a few kilometres and is great to stroll along. If you can’t leave your pooch at home you can bring it with you. Johanna is the only beach in Australia which is inside a national park where you can bring your dog. Most of the accommodation in the area is pet friendly. Make sure you keep your dog on a lead at all times. Keep your eyes open for feeding seals and during the winter months you could see whales as they make their way down the coast to calve at Warrnambool. This is also a very good surf fishing beach with Australian Salmon often on the bite and at night gummy shark. The surf is also world class with the world championships sometimes being held here at Easter if Bells Beach is too small.