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Port Campbell National Park &

Bay of Islands Coastal Park

Visitor GuidePounded 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

it the title of the Shipwreck Coast.

Cormorant

First reserved in 1964, Port Campbell NationalPark now covers 1830 hectares of coastal landbetween Princetown and Peterborough in south-

west Victoria.

Adjoining this park, Bay of Islands Coastal Parkprotects a further 950 hectares of fragile coastalvegetation, unique wildlife, and off-shore islandsand rock stacks.

Things to see and do

Walking/sightseeing

The park offers many short walks to lookouts withspectacular coastal views. See centre page map.

CampingCamping and caravan accommodation is onlyavailable in the adjoining townships of PortCampbell, Peterborough and Princetown.

Sleeping overnight in the park or carparks isnot permitted.

Diving/swimming

When the sea is very calm there is excellentwreck and reef diving off Port Campbell NationalPark. Diving opportunities are also available inlocal Marine National Parks and MarineSanctuaries. See marine park visitor guides for

more information, visit www.parkweb.vic.gov.au orcall 131963.

Please remember that all wrecks and artefacts areprotected by law.

Many beaches are exposed to unseen dangerssuch as ocean currents, rips and reefs. ParksVictoria recommend swimming only on beachespatrolled by lifesavers.

Fishing

Both Curdies Inlet and Gellibrand River aresuitable for fishing. There is good ocean fishing atNewfield Bay, Clifton Beach and from the PortCampbell jetty. Be sure to obtain a VictorianAmateur Fishing Licence before you fish.

Fishing is not permitted in Marine National Parks

and Marine Sanctuaries. See marine park visitorguides for protected area boundaries and activityguidelines and boundaries.

Canoeing

The Gellibrand River is ideal for canoeing.Access is from the Gellibrand Inlet.

How to get therePort Campbell National Park and Bay of IslandsCoastal Park lie between Princetown,Peterborough and Warrnambool, 285 km west ofMelbourne via the Great Ocean Road (4-5 hoursdrive), and 240 km from Melbourne via Colac (3hours drive).

Be fire ready, stay safe

Be aware of the forecast Fire Danger Rating for thisarea when planning your trip. Plan to leave early onhot, dry and windy days, as these conditions maycause the closure of some park areas for public safety.

Before you visit a park check the latest conditions bycalling 13 1963 or visit www.parkweb.vic.gov.au.

For updated information on fires in Victoria or generalfire safety advice, please call the Victorian BushfireInformationLine on 1800 240 667 or listen to a local

ABC/ACE radio station or vis it www.CFA.vic.gov.au

November 2009Printed on Australian-made 100% recycled paper

Spectacular coastalscenery, the 12Apostles, uniquelimestone formationsand the sheer cliffsof this sculpted coastare some of the bestknown landmarks inAustralia.

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For further information

Parks VictoriaInformation Centre

Call 13 1963or visit the

Parks Victoria websitewww.parkweb.vic.gov.au

Visitor InformationCentres

Port CampbellPort Campbell Vic 3269

Tel: (03) 5598 6089 Email:pcvic@corangamite.vic.gov.au

WarrnamboolFlagstaff Hill, Merri St

Warrnambool Vic 3280Tel: (03) 5564 7837

Toll Free: 1800 640 082

Recreational FishingLicence enquiries:

Victoria - call 13 61 86

Caring for theenvironment

Help us look after your park byfollowing these guidelines:

Please take rubbish away withyou for recycling & disposal

Sleeping overnight in thepark or carparks is not

permitted

All native plants & animals areprotected by law. Please donot disturb them in any way

Dogsand other pets are not

permitted in the park, exceptincars on main tourist roads and

sign-posted areas. Dogs arepermitted on a leash from thePeterborough Golf Course tothe Bay of Martyrs Carpark.

No fires are permitted at anytime in these two parks.

Port Campbell National Parkand Bay of Islands Coastal

Park are in theSouth Western

Total Fire Ban District.It is your responsibility toknow if it is a day of Total

Fire Ban.If in doubt call the VictorianBushfire Information Line:

1800 240 667.

Mobile PhonesCAUTION: You may not be in

etwork range in some areas ofthe park. If not in range you

can connect to Police,mbulance or CFA - key in 112

then press the YESkey

Caring for CountryWinds and wild seas shaped not only thecoastline of Port Campbell and Bay of Islands, butalso its history.

The area provided a wealth of resources for KirraeWhurrong people. Layers of blackened shells(shell middens), tools and other artefacts remainas a legacy of a culture surviving over thousands

of years.

The Kirrae Whurrong still live in this area,continuing a long physical and spiritual connectionwith this unique landscape, and welcome you totheir country.

Parks Victoria acknowledges the TraditionalOwners and Aboriginal communities of Victoriaand recognises the connection IndigenousAustralians have to Country. Together, allAustralians have a responsibility to care forcountry.

Middensand other indigenous artefacts are anessential part of Australias history and areprotected by law. Please do not disturb or removeany part of them.

Port Campbell

Port Campbell was named after CaptainAlexander Campbell who was known as 'the lastof the buccaneers'. In charge of the whalingstation at Port Fairy, he traded between Victoriaand Tasmania using Port Campbell Bay as shelterin the 1840s.

As the English colony grew, Bass Strait became amajor shipping route and pastoralists moved intothe area. However, it wasn't until the 1870s thatthe town of Port Campbell was established.

Wild seas and rock stacks

Formation of this coastline began around 10-20million years ago. Countless millions of tinymarine animal skeletons built up beneath the seato form limestone. As the ocean retreated, thesoft limestone was exposed to the wild seas andwinds of the Southern Ocean. The sculpting ofrock stacks, gorges, islands, arches andblowholes had begun.

Toilets

Toilets are located on the map page. Please referto this when planning your visit.

Please respect this park and help us maintain thehealth of our natural environment for all visitors.

Wildlife watching

Port Campbell National Park and Bay of IslandsCoastal Park provide important habitat for a widerange of wildlife. The range and number of birdsthat are found here make it an excellent locationfor birdwatching.

Look skyward to see Peregrine Falcons swooping

above the cliff tops, or walk along the beach tosee penguins, terns and dotterels sheltering inlocations protected from the wind. AustralasianGannets, Wandering Albatrosses and Muttonbirds(Short-tailed Shearwaters) fly huge distances outto sea hunting for food and can be seen returningto nest in the parks. Pelicans, ducks, egrets andswans are common inhabitants of the estuariesand wetlands of the parks.

The Bay of Islands rock stacks are a uniquefeature of these parks and provide a colony ofSilver Gulls safe nesting sites from foxes and cats.Other stacks are home to Victorias only marinecormorant, the rare Black-faced Cormorant.

A residentrarity

Keep a lookout for abird approximately thesize of a blackbird. TheRufous Bristlebird can befound in remnantheathlands protectedin this and other coastal parks.

Exploring other parks

While you are in the area, be sure to visit other

national parks and protected areas, including:

Great Otway National Park: Maits Rest self-guided rainforest walk, lightstation, waterfallwalks, beaches, wildlife, camping and muchmore

Melba Gully: magnificent rainforest with giantMyrtle Beech trees, glow worms and a self-guided trail

Tower Hill Reserve: hidden inside a volcaniccrater is the Worn Gundidj Natural HistoryCentre, wetland boardwalk, birdhide andseveral short walks

Mt Eccles National Park: centred on a volcano,

a park of national significance offeringcamping, picnicking and several self-guidedwalks, including the Lake Surprise and CraterRim walks

Great Ocean Walk - Apollo Bay to GlenampleHomestead. This walk features rockyplatforms, sheltered beaches, pristine rivers,huge forests, heathland and coastalwoodlands.

Visitor Information CentresTo fully enjoy your visit to the area, be sure to visit

the Port Campbell or Warrnambool VisitorInformation Centre for a great range of informationand advice.