Peterborough is situated on Victoria’s Shipwreck Coast, a stone’s throw from Port Campbell and heading towards Warrnambool. It’s a tiny little fishing village where the Curdies River meets the Southern Ocean in a small cove — nestled neatly between the big-name attractions of Port Campbell National Park and the quieter coastline of Bay of Islands.
The thing is, Peterborough is a lot better with a bit of time to get off the Great Ocean Road and take a stroll along the cliffs — if you just want to stop at the viewpoints, you can pretty much zip in and out.
Give The Coast Enough Time
How long you should stick around Peterborough really depends on whether you want to take to the coast on foot. The best of this stretch sits between the lookouts, where the road drops out of sight, and the Shipwreck Coast starts to feel properly wild.
| Time available | What fits | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| About 1 hour | Foreshore, Curdies River estuary and a short coastal stop | A break during a longer Great Ocean Road drive |
| 2–3 hours | Foreshore plus the 4 km return walk towards Bay of Martyrs | Travellers who want to experience the coast on foot |
| Half day | Coastal trail, Bay of Martyrs and Bay of Islands | A slower Shipwreck Coast visit without rushing the lookouts |
| Overnight | Walking, fishing, sunset and the western coast | Travellers continuing towards Warrnambool or Port Fairy |
Just remember, visitor information reckons 2 hours is a good chunk of time to see everything; locals know you can get there in an hour if you’re pushing to get on with it, but trust us, you’ll miss out on most of the fun.
Start At The Foreshore And Estuary
Peterborough feels more like a settlement beside the water than a town built around passing traffic. The Curdies River estuary sits beside an exposed Southern Ocean beach, and that distinction matters if you intend to swim.
Official guidance identifies the estuary as the more suitable option. At the ocean beach, surging waves and a permanent rip at the eastern end demand considerably more caution. Nearby beaches are unpatrolled, while rock shelves exposed at low tide can disappear beneath rising water or unexpected waves.
The practical takeaway is simple: calm-looking water around the river mouth should not be taken as an indicator of conditions along the ocean frontage.
Leave The Car Behind
The Peterborough–Bay of Martyrs Trail is the reason I think Peterborough deserves more than a quick roadside stop. Over 4 km return, it follows the coast past Halladale Point and the Falls of Halladale shipwreck area towards Bay of Martyrs, with Wild Dog Cove and Worm Bay tucked below the cliffs along the way.
It is short enough to fit comfortably into a Great Ocean Road day, but it is not an entirely smooth promenade. As sections narrow, the surface becomes uneven, and reaching some beaches means taking steps and rougher paths.
The appeal is less about covering 4 km than changing the way you see this part of the Shipwreck Coast. From the road, the formations arrive as separate lookouts. On foot, the headlands, coves and offshore stacks finally belong to the same coastline.
Walk Or Drive
You do not need to walk to see Bay of Martyrs. It lies only about 2 km west of Peterborough, and once parked, the main lookout is roughly 15 m away. The official suggestion of about 20 minutes for a straightforward visit is realistic.
The short crushed-rock approach is also wheelchair-suitable, with designated accessible parking. Drive if time or mobility is limited; walk from Peterborough when the stretch between the viewpoints matters as much as the view itself.
The Coastal Sequence
Another 10 minutes in the car brings you to Bay of Islands, where the coast opens into a broader spread of offshore stacks. The main viewing route takes only about 280 m return, so it slots easily into the day even after the Peterborough walk. Accessible parking is provided, although the narrower western trails are unsuitable for wheelchairs or prams.
There is little reason to choose between Bay of Martyrs and Bay of Islands when they sit this close together. They also provide a useful counterpoint to the Twelve Apostles corridor: current park information indicates that Bay of Islands Coastal Park is less heavily visited than the Port Campbell coastline.
That difference matters. The scenery is still unmistakably Great Ocean Road, but the rhythm changes once the larger crowds of visitors begin to thin.
Know What Lies East Of Town
Peterborough makes more sense when you see where it falls in the sequence of the coast. From Port Campbell, London Arch — historically known as London Bridge — sits about 7 km west, followed by The Grotto at around 8 km. Peterborough comes roughly 11 km from town, with Bay of Martyrs at 13 km and Bay of Islands at 16 km.
To the east are the heavily visited Port Campbell National Park landmarks, with Loch Ard Gorge and the Twelve Apostles farther along. West of Peterborough, the Bay of Islands coast becomes more dispersed and the stops less concentrated.
After several Port Campbell lookouts, I prefer to change the pace here rather than keep pulling into car parks for another five-minute photograph. Peterborough gives you a sensible place to get out, walk and let this section of coast take longer.
Fishing Can Change The Plan
Fishing gives Peterborough another reason to linger. The Curdies River and estuary are recognised recreational fishing waters, while Boat Bay, 4.3 km west of town, provides the only boat ramp between Port Campbell and Warrnambool according to regional visitor information.
If you need a Victorian Recreational Fishing Licence, A$10 buys a three-day licence as of September 2026, with exemptions including people under 18 and those aged 70 or older.
For sightseeing, Peterborough may take a couple of hours. Adding fishing and an overnight stop becomes much easier to justify.
Choose The Right Base
Peterborough suits travellers who want quieter evenings, fishing, and coastal walking, particularly if the next day continues on to Warrnambool or Port Fairy. Great Ocean Road Tourist Park, beside the Curdies River, is one local accommodation option, while food and grocery supplies cover the basics.
Port Campbell is the stronger base when convenience is more important. Its larger concentration of cafes, restaurants, accommodation and visitor services also puts you closer to the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge.
Neither is universally the better stop. Peterborough suits the slower western stretch; Port Campbell makes more sense when the itinerary is driven by major attractions and broader services.
Plan Around Coastal Conditions
There’s no set schedule here — the weather has the final say on whether you can visit Peterborough. Big waves, strong currents, and slippery ground on the coastal walk can quickly turn it into a bad idea, which is when the drive between Bay of Martyrs and Bay of Islands is probably your best bet.
From around May to October, you might be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of Southern Right Whales cruising offshore, though don’t count on it. There are also hooded plovers nesting along the coast, which is why you can take your dog on a leash on some parts of the walk, but not on the Bay of Martyrs beach.
Make sure you check the weather forecast and park alerts before you head out – especially if there’s been some wild weather lately.
