Port Campbell is a charming coastal village that perfectly complements a trip along the Great Ocean Road. After visiting the Twelve Apostles, I stopped here and immediately loved its calm, welcoming vibe. Nestled between dramatic cliffs and the Southern Ocean, this small town offers a perfect mix of natural beauty, local hospitality, and seaside relaxation.
The Port Campbell Foreshore is lovely — a peaceful bay surrounded by cliffs, where you can take a gentle walk along the beach or simply sit and enjoy the ocean breeze. The jetty area is great for watching the waves roll in or catching the vibrant colors of sunset reflecting off the water. I also found a few nice cafés and bakeries nearby, serving great coffee, local seafood, and homemade treats — a perfect stop for lunch or an afternoon break.
What I really appreciated about Port Campbell is its proximity to major attractions. It’s just minutes away from Loch Ard Gorge, Gibson Steps, London Arch, and the Twelve Apostles, making it an ideal base for exploring the region. The town itself feels peaceful and not overly crowded, even though it’s a major tourist area.
Visitor Tips: • Stay overnight if possible — watching the stars and waking up to the sound of waves is a special experience. • Visit Loch Ard Gorge at sunrise or sunset — it’s quieter and the lighting is spectacular. • Try local eateries like the Port Campbell Hotel or Forage on the Foreshore for fresh local food. • Carry a light jacket — even in summer, coastal winds can be cool. • Parking is easy, and most attractions are within a 10–15 minute drive.
Port Campbell truly feels like the heart of the Great Ocean Road — peaceful, scenic, and full of character. Whether you’re just stopping for a few hours or staying overnight, it’s the perfect place to relax, recharge, and connect with the beauty of...
Read morePort Campbell National Park, situated along the iconic Great Ocean Road in Australia, is a coastal gem that will take your breath away 🌊. While it might not be as well-known as the Twelve Apostles, this park boasts its own unique charm and stunning features.
The park is home to rugged cliffs, limestone formations, and hidden coves that make for an excellent exploration. The key attractions include the Loch Ard Gorge, London Arch, and The Grotto, each offering its own mesmerizing beauty and captivating stories.
The Loch Ard Gorge, in particular, is a place of historical significance, with its tragic shipwreck tale that's narrated through the park's information boards. The sheer power of the ocean against the rocks serves as a reminder of nature's raw strength.
Visitors will find excellent walking tracks and viewing platforms, providing opportunities to capture incredible photographs 📸. The park's surroundings, with lush greenery and vibrant wildflowers, create a harmonious contrast to the rugged coastal landscape.
Unlike some of the more crowded sites, Port Campbell National Park offers a more tranquil experience, allowing you to connect with nature in a serene setting.
In summary, Port Campbell National Park is a hidden treasure along the Great Ocean Road that's well worth exploring. It's a haven for nature enthusiasts, hikers, and anyone who appreciates the beauty of the Australian coastline 🇦🇺. With its striking coastal scenery and quieter atmosphere, it's a true escape into the wonders of...
Read moreWitness the rugged splendour of the famous 12 Apostles, magnificent rock stacks that rise up majestically from the Southern Ocean on Victoria's dramatic coastline.
Limestone cliffs
Created by constant erosion of the limestone cliffs of the mainland beginning 10–20 million years ago, the stormy Southern Ocean and blasting winds gradually eroded the softer limestone, forming caves in the cliffs.
The caves eventually became arches and when they collapsed rock stacks up to 45 metres high were left isolated from the shore. View the 12 Apostles at sunrise and sunset as they change colour from dark and foreboding in shadow to brilliant sandy yellow under a full sun. The iconic golden cliffs and crumbling pillars of the Twelve Apostles can be found seven kilometres east of Port Campbell. As well as the above water beauty, spectacular arches, canyons, fissures, gutters and deep sloping reefs make up the environment below the waves. Powerful waves of the Southern Ocean constantly pound the coastline which has shaped the area into what you see today.
The remarkable underwater structures provide a complex foundation for magnificent habitats including kelp forests and colourful sponge gardens. Many animals prosper here including seabirds, seals, lobsters, reef fish and sea spiders. The intertidal and shallow subtidal reefs are known to have the greatest diversity of invertebrates on limestone reef...
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