Port Campbell National Park & 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 loom out of the ocean just off shore from sheer limestone cliffs. Arches, islands and blowholes have also been carved out of the soft cliffs by the wind and sea. Many ships have come to grief on the rocky coastline, earning the title of the Shipwreck Coast.” Ranger In Charge, Alex Green. n o t e s A resident rarity Diving Keep a lookout When the sea is very calm there is excellent for a bird approximately the size of a blackbird. wreck and reef diving off Port Campbell National The rare Rufous Park. Diving opportunities are also available in Bristlebird is common in local Marine National Parks and Marine remnant heathlands Sanctuaries. protected in this and other coastal parks. Stray cats are a major threat to the survival Check with local divers or at the Visitor of this bird. Information Centre before setting out. Please Enjoying our parks remember that all wrecks and artefacts are protected by law. Visitors can enjoy walking, snorkelling, diving, scenic driving, birdwatching, beachcombing, as Fishing well as the spectacular coastal scenery. p a r k Both Curdies Inlet and Gellibrand River are The limestone formations and sheer cliffs of this suitable for fishing. There is good ocean fishing at sculpted coast are some of the best known Newfield Bay, Gibson Steps Beach, Clifton Beach landmarks in Australia. First reserved in 1964, and from the Port Campbell jetty. Be sure to Port Campbell National Park now covers 1830 obtain a Victorian Amateur Fishing Licence. hectares of the coastal strip between Princetown and Peterborough in south-western Victoria. Fishing is not permitted in Marine National Parks and Marine Sanctuaries. Check separate Adjoining this park, Bay of Islands Coastal Park parknotes for activity guidelines and boundaries. preserves and protects 950 hectares of fragile coastal vegetation, wildlife and rugged features of Canoeing an area rich with scenic beauty. The Gellibrand River is ideal for canoeing. Things to see and do Access is from the Gellibrand Inlet, at the picnic ground at Princetown. Explore the park by road. The fully sealed Great Ocean Road takes you to the Twelve Apostles, How to get there Loch Ard Gorge and other spectacular features. Port Campbell National Park and Bay of Islands Coastal Park lie between, Princetown Walking/sightseeing Peterborough and Warrnambool, just 285 km The park offers many short walks to lookouts with west of Melbourne via the Great Ocean Road spectacular views. See centre page map. (4-5 hours’ drive), and 240 km from Melbourne via Colac (3 hours drive). Camping There is no camping within the parks. Camping Visitor Information Centres and caravan accommodation is available in Port To fully enjoy your visit to the Parks be sure to Campbell, Peterborough and Princetown visit local Visitor Information Centres and plan townships. Sleeping overnight in the park or ahead. See the back page for Accredited Visitor carparks is not permitted. Information Centre locations. For more information call the Parks Victoria Information Centre on 13 1963 or visit our website at www.parkweb.vic.gov.au Walking: Be Safe, Be Prepared The Shipwreck Coast The growing colonies of Victoria and New l Strong shoes or walking boots with good tread, a hat, South Wales depended on ships from Europe a waterproof jacket, food, water and a map are for supplies and transport. Bass Strait became recommended. On longer walks, take a whistle and a major shipping route - and some ships basic first aid kit as well. inevitably came to grief in its notoriously wild l Be aware walking tracks may involve uneven and seas. slippery track surfaces. Hooded Plovers are small A number of ships were wrecked off the pigeon sized shorebirds that l Keep strictly to the tracks and lookouts, as sections coastline bordering these parks. The most S nest in very exposed beach of the cliffs may subside without warning! famous was the Loch Ard, wrecked in 1878, locations. Take care - please which only had two survivors. watch for nesting birds when Self-guided walks and displays within the park walking above the high tide interpret the tragic story of the Loch Ard and line. other shipwrecks along this coast. Port Campbell To National Park & Warrnambool Bay of Islands Curdies Coastal Park ALLANSFORD River Major sealed road B100 Sealed road Unsealed road PETERBOROUGH Vehicle track Boat Bay lll Great Ocean Walk To Timboon Walking track BAY OF ISLANDS Crofts Bay CUR Bay of Islands RD National Park Massacre Bay Curdies Inlet Coastal Park BAY OF MARTYRS Peterborough Bay of Martyrs Ê Ë Marine National Park / Port Marine Sanctuary Halladale Point Campbe Wild Dog Cove Discove Other Park Walk Newfield Bay Water body Schomberg GREAT See Map B Reef Recreational Rifle Facilities The Rang Grotto Canoeing The Arch Caravan Park London SOUTHERN Bridge Carpark Facilities for people No access to with disabilities beach at London Bridge Fishing Homestead Lookout Walking Ì Loch Ard Gorge Area Í Ê Bay of Martyrs Walk Three self-guided walks have been developed Sto Park information Follow the walking track from the eastern end of around the Loch Ard Gorge area. A separate Ce Picnic table the carpark. This short spectacular walk leads to parknote is available. the Self-guided walk the site where the Falls of Halladale ran aground Allow two to three hours to make the most of The sto Swimming in 1908. your visit here. dis Toilets l Ë Port Campbell Discovery Walk Shipwreck Walk - this walk tells the tragic Gre Tourist Information Start the walk near Port Campbell beach by story of the Loch Ard shipwreck from the exp crossing the mouth of Campbells Creek or by wreck site to the cemetery. following the signs from the Scenic Town Lookout l Geology - explains the geology of the Î 0 1 2 Carpark on the Great Ocean Road, west coastline and the forces that shape it. Mu KILOMETRES ã imp N Cartography by Spatial Vision 2007 (Warrnambool side) of Port Campbell township. l Living on the Edge - discover life on the M/1544 edge of these sheer cliffs. -tai mig Beach walking at Newfield Bay, Gibson Steps sum Beach, Crofts Bay and Bay of Martyrs. retu var MELBOURNE the l Ap H Feb © Warning - Keep to the tracks and lookouts as other sections o To GREAT Get Involved - hands on! Warrnambool BURKE RD Hanging out with Friends can be good 0 2 4 for your mind, body and soul. e Lake KILOMETRES Throughout the world there is growing Gillear ALLANSB100 recognition of the vital contribution OCEAN parks make to a healthy environment, CHILDERS to the health of individuals and to a FLAT ROAD Mepunga healthy society. Cliffs ROAD Restoring habitat diversity can have KILLEEN RD COVE healthy benefits to you and your SOUTHERN community and volunteering is a great way to get involved in your RD environment...anyone can do it! k Childers Cove You can become a Friend, join the Bay CHILDERS of Islands Coastal Park and Port Murnanes Bay Campbell National Park Friends groups Sandy Cove COVE ROAD in caring for these special places. Dog Trap Bay Stanhope Bay Call Parks Victoria on 13 1963 or visit Buttress Point www.parkweb.vic.gov.au Burnies Beach Three Mile Beach MATHIESON RD B100 BLAKE ROAD Flaxmans BALLEYS ROAD GREAT Hill l Curdies OCEAN OCEAN Antares Rock River RADFORD RD A LL AN ROAD S FO DYNON RD To Timboon, R Boat Bay D Camperdown P E and Colac (via T E R Scotts Creek) B To O Timboon Bay of Islands ROAD R Crofts Bay O Curdies To Timboon U G Inlet Bay of Martyrs Massacre Bay H Creek CURDIE Halladale Point To Port s Wild Dog Cove Campbell Peterborough Ë Campbell Port VALE Map B Campbell Discovery Walk RD Port Campbell GREAT Glenample Homestead Built in 1869 by pioneer pastoralist Rifle Range Hugh Gibson using locally quarried Sturgess sandstone the tranquil homestead The Two Mile Point OCEAN Bay is now home to the Loch Ard story Arch Port River Campbell and displays on early pastoral history Bay Rutledge Creek Sherbrook of the area. THE ARCHES MARINE Glenample Homestead is not open SANCTUARY e No access to beach to the public year round. Please Broken Cemetery at the Twelve Apostles Head contact the Parks Victoria ROAD Twelve Information Centre on 13 1963 for Í Twelve Apostles Walk Thunder Cave Î Apostles further details. The Blowhole Centre Stop and visit the Twelve Apostles Island Archway Centre before taking the walk to view Loch Ard Glenample the amazing Twelve Apostles coastline. Gorge Í Homestead The Twelve Apostles The Centre offers insightful cultural heritage Ì To Colac via Simpson stories, shelter and toilets. Walk the short l Gibson Steps l To Lavers Hill, l To Apollo Bay distance (500m) through the tunnel, under the l l l Great Ocean Road to various lookouts offering l l l expansive, breathtaking views. TWELVE l APOSTLES Clifton Beach l MARINE l NATIONAL l B100 PARK l Î Muttonbird Island l l Princetown l Muttonbird Island, near Loch Ard Gorge, is an l l l Lake l important nesting place for the Muttonbird (Short l Gellibrand Corangamite OCEAN l Mortlake l -tailed Shearwater). These remarkable birds l HWY l migrate about 30,000 km every year, spending l l Camperdown l PRINCES l l summer in the northern Pacific Ocean and l l Colac l returning the last week of September to nest in l Warrnambool Point Ronald various rookeries in Bass Strait.