Port Campbell 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 Australia. 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 Melbourne via the Great Ocean Road. 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 Warrnambool. 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. Victoria 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 Gibson Steps – 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 Loch Ard 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. Loch Ard Gorge 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 D B100 Curdies R B100 To Warrnambool H To Timboon G U 50km River O 17km M CURDIEVALE R GREAT A O B T R H E I T E E S P O 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 Stanhope Bay N ON Burtree Point R RD Burnies Beach D 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) Apollo Bay, OCEAN 2 Lavers Hill, 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 ORD Steps LATROBE CE WALK AN RD 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.