Known as the gateway to some of the Great Ocean Road’s most significant natural landmarks, this laid-back seaside village features a calm swimming beach and dramatic cliffs.
Port Campbell is a scenic seaside village with a rugged coastline and a calm, sandy swimming beach. Visit Port Campbell during your visit to the Twelve Apostles, the Arch and a collection of other breathtaking rock formations and natural landscapes.
Tall cliffs and Norfolk pines surround this small coastal town, which has a peaceful main street filled with cafés, restaurants and bakeries that look out toward the ocean. Check out Port Campbell’s galleries and shops before stopping to sample regional cheeses, wines, ice creams or chocolates at one of the town’s specialty providores. Visit the calm waters of Port Campbell Bay. Surrounded by national park, this beach is perfect for swimming or casting a line at the jetty.
Take in pretty coastal views from a walking trail that leads up from the bay. The Discovery Walk begins at the steps that trail from the bay to the cliff top. Here, you can see views of the bay, over the town and along the coastline.
Don’t miss a trip to the stunning coastal rock formations around the Twelve Apostles, just a few minutes’ drive away. These off-shore limestone formations offer a magnificent scene and are a great spot for testing your photography skills. Check out the famous rock stacks from a different angle with boat and helicopter tours. Other landmarks in the Shipwreck Coast area include the Arch, the Loch Ard Gorge, the towering 70-metre (229.6-foot) cliffs of Gibson’s Steps or the tranquil vista of the Bay of Islands.
The region’s magnificent rock landscapes also make for exciting dive locations. Join a diving tour and check out canyons and gorges on the sea floor.
A wander through the trails in the Port Campbell National Park will take you past grassy heathlands, where you might see rare orchids as well as stunning birdlife, including honeyeaters and stunning fairy wrens.
If travelling on the Great Ocean Road, Port Campbell is 187 kilometres (116 miles) west of Torquay, which marks the beginning of the Great Ocean Road. The town is a wonderful summer seaside destination, however, its rugged ocean views and winter whale-spotting opportunities make it an exciting destination in the cooler months, too.
