National Park and Bay of Islands Coastal Park Visitor Guide

Pounded by wild seas and fierce winds, the coast of Port Campbell National Park and Bay of Islands Coastal Park has been sculpted over thousands of years to become one of the most impressive natural sites in . Towering rock stacks, arches and islands have been carved out of the soft cliffs by rain, wind and ocean waves. Many ships have come to grief on the rocky coastline, earning it the title of the Shipwreck Coast. These two parks offer a variety of activities including walking, fishing, canoeing and photography.

Getting there The Arch Port Campbell National Park is located approximately 380km or 4.5 The Arch refers to the natural rock shape visible just off the coast. It hours away from via the . It is 230km shows the middle stage of an island transitioning from tunnel, to or 3 hours away via the inland route. Bay of Islands Coastal Park is arch, which will ultimately collapse to form two rock stacks. approximately 20km further west stretching from Peterborough to London Bridge . A lookout viewing a natural rock formation previously featuring a The direct route from Adelaide is approximately 670km or 7.5 hours. double arch. The inner arch collapsed in 1989 leaving two people Things to see and do stranded on the outer side. They were later rescued by helicopter. The Grotto Camping The Grotto is a cave and sinkhole located about halfway up the cliff, Camping and accommodation is available nearby towns. See map from sea level. The paved pathway leads to a decked staircase that There is no camping in these narrow coastal and national parks and descends into a viewing area. Enjoy the view of the rock pools sleeping overnight in the park and carparks is not permitted. carved out in the jagged edged limestone. Stay inside barriers.

Port Campbell National Park Bay of Islands Coastal Park (Princetown ‐ Peterborough) (Peterborough ‐ Warrnambool) Twelve Apostles A stunning collection of rock stacks and sheltered bays with clifftop These rock‐stacks and islands are formed the the combination of the walks, views and small beaches near Peterborough. Dogs on leads waves and winds from the Southern Ocean battering the coast, and are welcome. Please observe Hooded Plover signs on some beaches. seeping rainwater, eroding the softer limestone. Breathtaking and equally beautiful to the Twelve Apostles are the There are currently seven rock stacks that comprise the Twelve areas including the Bay of Martyrs, Bay of Islands, Sandy Cove* and Apostles ‐ six are on display in the classic view enjoyed by millions of Childers Cove. Note: *Sandy Cove is a dogs‐on‐lead friendly area. people each year. The seventh is located several metres away from This park has several dogs‐on‐lead friendly areas and stretches 32km the corner of the main viewing platform. Story boards briefly explain to Warrnambool. The park’s small beaches are not patrolled. Parks their formation and history. does not recommend them for swimming. Obey signs. Car and bus parking visitor facilities for this busy site are on the northern (inland) side of the Great Ocean Road. Walking access for Walking tracks all abilities is linked via a walking track leading from the carpark, Twelve Apostles to – 2.2km return, 1hr toilets and kiosk under the road to the lookouts. A gentle unsealed gravel walk across to the lookout above the beach. Gibson Steps and Gibson Steps Beach Starts from the Twelve Apostles Kiosk back door (ocean side). Park at the Twelve Apostles kiosk. A gentle 1.1km track takes you to Gorge has three easy, gentle walking tracks Gibson Steps Lookout and, when open, 89 steps lead down the cliff‐  face to a wild ocean beach. If the tide is low you can view the rock Geology Walk – 1km return, 40mins stacks ‘Gog and Magog’ up close. The beach is often closed and Discover the secrets of the forces that shape the coastline on this easy self‐guided walk. inaccessible due to high tides and large ocean swell. On‐site signs at the kiosk will advise if it is closed. No dogs are permitted in this park.  Shipwreck Walk – 1.4km return, 50mins Please note the beaches in these parks are not patrolled and Parks This easy walk follows the tragic story of the Loch Ard shipwreck Victoria does not recommend them for swimming. site to the cemetery. This amazing story of courage and survival is featured in Warrnambool’s Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village.  Living on the Edge – 3.2km return, 1.5hrs A spectacular beach inside an impressive gorge. Looking out towards Discover life on the edge of the sheer cliffs. This easy walk the site of the ‘Loch Ard’ shipwreck, this gorge was the place of an encompasses the Muttonbird Island viewing platform, Thunder amazing tale of survival. There are several easy walking tracks with Cave and Broken Head. storyboards in this area highlighting nature, history and geology.

Parks Victoria Phone 13 1963 www.parks.vic.gov.au Port Campbell National Park & Bay of Islands Coastal Park West

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B100 To Warrnambool H To G U 50km River O 17km M R GREAT A O B T R H E

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N N S R O Bay of Islands A OCEAN PORT CAMPBELL O RD Childers Cove R D B D F Coastal Park O M I

R T Dog Trap Bay D Boat Bay D OLD Y

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Murnanes Bay Sandy Cove R PETERBOROUGH D Boat Bay

Bay of Islands Peterborough Antares Rock B100 RD Peterborough Boat Bay Crofts Bay Coastal Reserve

Massacre Bay Bay of Islands Cove Bay of Islands Wild Dog Massacre Bay Bay of Islands Coastal Park

Peterborough 0 5 10 Kilometres Halladale Point Bay of Martyrs 1 C164 Port Campbell Halladale Point Wild Dog Town Scenic Lookout Cove Schomberg Reef GREAT Port Campbell Newfield RD PV Bay National Park Dog on lead area to Twelve Apostles, (Bay of Martyrs carpark to Wild Dog Cove carpark) , OCEAN 2 , Colac

Sturgess 1 Peterborough Walking Track GREAT The Grotto Point 2 Discovery Walk Point Hesse London Bridge The Arch Two Mile Bay

The Arches Bakers Southern Ocean Marine Sanctuary Oven

Visitor Walking track Parks Victoria office Caravan park Steps Sealed road Port Campbell National Park Information Centre Loch Ard Gorge Parking Picnic table Swimming Fuel Dog walking area Unsealed road Other park/reserve

Toilets Boat ramp Kiosk Patrolled beach Great Ocean Road Walking track Marine park

Disabled access Lookout Camping Dog on lead area Main road Wetland www.parks.vic.gov.au Disclaimer: Parks Victoria does not guarantee that this data is without flaw of any kind and therefore disclaims all 0 1 2 3 4 km liability which may arise from you relying on this information. Cartography by Parks Victoria November 2017. For mobile App search for Avenza PDF Maps Port Campbell National Park East To Melbourne 215km

Town Scenic Lookout C164 Twelve Apostles Port Campbell & Gibson Steps To Simpson Carpark and Kiosk 18 km

WALK PV DISCOVERY GREAT

Sturgess GREAT OCEAN RD River Point (from Gibson Steps) RD TWO WAY Point Hesse The Arches The Arch Two Mile Bay SherbrookPort Campbell OCEAN Marine Sanctuary B100 National Park B100 A G R EA Gibson T B100 PRINCETOWN

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GREAT OCEAN RD ONE WAY Loch Ard Gorge See Gibsons Steps FORDS RD Loch Ard Gorge inset map See Loch Ard Gorge inset map Twelve 0 300m Gibson Steps Beach Apostles B 1 Twelve Apostles Broken Carpark and Kiosk 2 C166 Head 3 (park here for Gibson Steps) OCEAN ONE WAY Princetown RD Muttonbird Wetland Island Gibson Steps GREAT GREAT Reserve 0 1km Clifton To Apollo Bay Twelve Apostles Beach 90 km Marine National Park OCEAN Princetown Lavers Hill, Twelve Apostles ONE WAY Cape Otway Marine National Park and Colac. 1 Living on the Edge Walk WALK 2 The Wreck of the Loch Ard Walk ONE WAY Great Otway 3 Geology Walk National Park

Visitor Information Lookout Camping Dog on lead area Great Ocean Road Walking track Information Centre Parking Walking track Parks Victoria office Caravan park Steps Main road Port Campbell National Park

Toilets Picnic table Swimming Fuel Great Ocean Walk Sealed road Other park/reserve

Disabled access Boat ramp Kiosk Patrolled beach Dog walking area Unsealed road Marine park

www.parks.vic.gov.au Disclaimer: Parks Victoria does not guarantee that this data is without flaw of any kind and therefore disclaims all 0 1 2 3 4 Kilometres liability which may arise from you relying on this information. Cartography by Parks Victoria November 2017. For mobile App search for Avenza PDF Maps Port Campbell Discovery Walk – 4.4km return, 1.5hrs Photography A spectacular undulating, one‐way return walk passing through Excellent photography opportunities from lookouts and clifftop heathland with storyboards. Start from Port Campbell Beach walking tracks across these two parks offer spectacular by crossing the mouth of Campbell’s Creek or drive up to the Town views. For your safety and to preserve the plants and animals living Scenic Lookout and start from there. Views above the small harbour. here stay on tracks. Use of drones is not permitted in these parks. Peterborough Walking Track – 4km return, 1hr Facilities This spectacular clifftop heathland walk goes from Peterborough Twelve Apostles kiosk and visitor area township near the Golf Course through to Bay of Martyrs. Numerous coastal lookouts. Dogs on leash are permitted along this track. Kiosk is open 09.30am to 5.00pm daily. (Kiosk hours may extend up to 8pm during holiday periods). The kiosk sells a range of items Great Ocean Walk – 104km one way, 7 days. Long distance. including tea, coffee, cold drinks, confectionery and a small range of Starting from Apollo Bay and ending at the Twelve Apostles, sections hot/cold food. Sunscreen, hats and insect repellent are also sold. of the walk can be done to suit your schedule. Plan properly to stay Wheelchairs are available for short term loan to use on site. safe. For information visit www.greatoceanwalk.com.au Toilets and parking are available here at this location. Wildlife watching Accessibility These two coastal parks provide important habitat for a wide range Many of the viewing platforms, pathways and car parks are of wildlife; some rare, threatened or endangered. Snakes and other accessible to people with limited mobility. Accessible toilets can also wildlife live here in their home. Enjoy your park visit and respect the be found in Twelve Apostles and nearby towns including nature of the parks. Do not climb over barriers ‐ stay on tracks. Princetown, Port Campbell and Peterborough. Many small beaches are nesting grounds for the endangered For further information about access here please visit Hooded Plovers. These, shy beach nesting birds are vulnerable to www.parks.vic.gov.au or Port Campbell Visitor Information Centre. disturbance and need your care to survive. Please observe signs. The range of birds found here ensure excellent birdwatching. Caring for the park A resident rarity in the park’s heathland is the , Help us look after your park by following these guidelines: often seen dashing across walking tracks and carparks.  Please take rubbish with you for recycling or disposal Fairy Penguins come to shore in the evenings just after sunset.  Sleeping overnight in the park or carparks is not permitted Viewing platforms at the Twelve Apostles and London Bridge.  Dogs and other pets are not permitted in the national park, Do not climb over barriers – for your safety, stay on tracks. except in cars on main tourist roads and sign‐posted areas. Hundreds of Muttonbirds (short‐tailed shearwaters) can be seen  Dogs are permitted on a leash in sections of the Bay of Islands returning to their burrows on Muttonbird Island (Loch Ard Gorge). Coastal Park ‐ from the Peterborough Golf Course to the Bay of Evenings from September to April ‐ peak viewing January‐February. Martyrs Carpark and at Sandy Cove.

Swimming and diving Be prepared and stay safe When the sea is very calm there is excellent wreck and reef diving off Port Campbell National Park. Diving opportunities are also Crumbling cliffs: Stay away from cliff edges and the bottom of cliffs ‐ available in local marine national parks and marine sanctuaries. they can collapse at any time without warning. Keep to designated Marine park visitor guides provide more information. Please walking tracks and lookouts. remember that all wrecks and artefacts are protected by law. Mobile phone reception: you may not be in network range in some Visit www.parks.vic.gov.au for further information. areas of the park. Many beaches are exposed to unseen dangers such as ocean Fire Awareness: Port Campbell National Park and Bay of Islands currents, rips and reefs. Parks Victoria recommends swimming only Coastal Park are in the South West fire district. Bushfire safety is a on beaches patrolled by lifesavers. Obey safety warning signs. personal responsibility. Anyone entering parks and forests during Fishing the bushfire season needs to stay aware of forecast weather conditions. Check the Fire Danger Rating and for days of Curdies Inlet and Gellibrand River are suitable for fishing. Ocean Total Fire Ban online at www.emergency.vic.gov.au or call fishing at Newfield Bay, Clifton Beach and the Port Campbell jetty. VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226. Fishing is not permitted in marine national parks and marine sanctuaries. See marine park visitor guides for protected area No fires may be lit on Total Fire Ban days, however gas cookers can boundaries and activity guidelines and boundaries. be used for preparing food. On Code Red Fire Danger Rating days this park will be closed for public safety. Closure signs will be Obtain a Victorian Amateur Fishing Licence before you fish. erected but do not expect an official warning. Check the latest park Canoeing conditions at www.parks.vic.gov.au or by calling 13 1963. The Gellibrand River and are great for canoeing. For emergency assistance call Triple Zero (000). If a green Access points are located at the inlets. emergency marker sign near you, read the information on the marker to the operator. February 2018

Visitor Information Centres Port Campbell Visitor Information Centre Port Campbell, Victoria 3269 For further information Tel: (03) 5598 2500

Parks Victoria Warrnambool Visitor Information Centre Call 13 1963 Flagstaff Hill, Merri St Visit www.parks.vic.gov.au Warrnambool Vic 3280 Tel: (03) 5564 7837 2