Thunder Cave — Attraction in Barwon South West

Thunder Cave is a beautiful and wild windswept section of the Port Campbell National Park. On the day we visited it was extremely cold and gusty. Pay attention to the weather forecasts and check the Parks Victoria website ahead of visiting. Because of the precarious cliffs, the conditions are always changing.

The cave itself is a hollowed out section of the limestone cliffs that makes an incredible echoed sound when the waves crash against its walls. The walking trails are good and clear. Some sections are paved bitumen and others are rougher.

Parking at the Thunder Caves carpark, we were able to walk an approximately 3 km circuit that also took in the Mutton Bird Island Lookout, and the Loch Ard Cemetery where 19th century shipwreck victims are memorialised.

The nearest toilets that we found were at the Twelve Apostles...

A beautiful site not to miss .. waking here and explore to other rock like Razor back, broken head nearby. It was formed after millions of years of erosion from the Southern Ocean.

About 20 million years ago, this entire area was a deep ocean. Sand from the rivers, fish and plant matter and other debris compacted at the bottom of the ocean and formed the Sandstone and Limestone coastline that is there today.

Originally, the erosion created an arch way before the cave. Eventually, the arch collapsed, now huge bits of Limestone and Sandstone sit just outside the cave at around 15 metres below the water surface. The water pushes over these huge chunks of stone and form waves that crash into the cave, contributing to the harrowing thunder that’s created a few times per minute on a wild day.

Quoted some explanation...

Thunder Cave is a hidden gem along the Great Ocean Road that leaves a lasting impression. The name is fitting, as you'll hear the thunderous roar of waves echoing through this spectacular cave. The combination of the rugged coastline and the mysterious atmosphere inside the cave creates a unique experience. Exploring the geological formations and taking in the ocean's power is awe-inspiring. It's a must-visit for anyone touring the Great Ocean Road, and I can't...