Things to do in Port Campbell, Victoria
On Victoria‘s Great Ocean Road, concentrate on the coast rather than the village of Port Campbell. Things to do in Port Campbell include a scenic flight in a helicopter or a walk to the Gibson Steps.
The iconic image of the Great Ocean Road is the Twelve Apostles – a series of rock stacks being battered by the Southern Ocean. The limestone formations are found near Port Campbell, on the Apollo Bay to Warrnambool section after the coast switches from surf beaches to cliffs. It’s a four hour drive west of Melbourne using the coastal route, or three hours if going inland.
Don’t expect much to do in Port Campbell itself, though – it’s little more than a hamlet. Concentrate, instead, on the coastline.
Things to do in Port Campbell, Victoria: Twelve Apostles lookout
The lookout for the Twelve Apostles is a short stroll from the gigantic car park set up to serve tourists. Don’t be surprised if you can only see seven rock stacks – there were only ever eight of them, and the eighth collapsed in 2005.
Pick the right Great Ocean Road tour from Melbourne
- For wildlife and nature focus: One day tour with koalas and guided forest walk.
- To beat the crowds: Reverse direction Great Ocean Road day tour.
- For adventure: Two day camping and surfing trip.
- For backpackers: One day highlights tour aimed at younger travellers.
- For exclusivity and flexibility: Private tour where you can pick the sights you want to see.
- For an extended trip: Three day Melbourne to Adelaide tour.
Most visitors treat the Twelve Apostles as a photo opportunity. They arrive, take a few shots and move on. The same applies to the other big rock formations along the coastline, such as Loch Ard Gorge, the Arch, London Bridge and the Grotto.
There are lookouts and walking trails for all of these, and if you’ve got the time, why not? But the best way to see them and get an overarching picture of the coast is on a Port Campbell helicopter flight. A 15 minute scenic flight along the coast with 12 Apostles Helicopters costs $145.
Things to do in Port Campbell, Victoria: The Great Ocean Walk
If you’re feeling energetic, the other great Port Campbell activity is taking on a section of the Great Ocean Walk. The whole thing stretches 104km from seal-kayaking hotspot Apollo Bay to the Twelve Apostles, taking five to seven days to complete. The final section, from Devil’s Kitchen to the Twelve Apostles, is 16km long. But it’s possible to take on part of that from the main car park, then head back. It’ll take you via the Gibson Steps, one kilometre away. Here, 86 steep steps have been carved into the cliff-face, allowing access to the beach. Once there, there are two giant limestone stacks – Gog and Magog – to one side, and 70m cliffs to the other. Be warned, however – the water will be cold with dangerous currents.
7 fantastic Great Ocean Road experiences
1. Crowd-beating reverse direction tour. 2. Surfing lessons in Anglesea. 3. Split Point Lighthouse climb. 4. Shockwave Zip-Coaster. 5. Guided wildlife walk. 6. Budj Bim National Park tour. 7. Great Ocean Road by motorbike.
Port Campbell attractions: Great Ocean Road Wildlife Park
Another alternative is to head to the neighbouring hamlet of Princetown, where the Great Ocean Road Wildlife Park allows you to hand-feed kangaroos and wallabies. Close encounters with dingoes and wild birds are also available. By the standards of Australian wildlife parks, it’s fairly generic apart from the dingo emphasis, but kids should enjoy it.
Or, if you’re feeling hungry, a 29km detour inland to the quietly foodie town of Timboon might be just the ticket.
There are several Port Campbell accommodation options if you plan to stay nearby.
More on the Great Ocean Road
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Can I see kangaroos on the Great Ocean Road?
Can I go kayaking with seals in Australia?