- FREE Duration: 1–3 Hours (approx.)
- Location: Great Ocean Rd, Peterborough, VIC
- Travel Time: 3-hour drive from Melbourne
- Activity Level: Easy / Leisure
Why This Stretch Of Coast Keeps Pulling Me Back
Most people whizz through this bit on their way to Port Campbell or the Twelve Apostles, but it’s the people who actually get out & follow one of the Peterborough Walks or do a short Heritage Walk past the old cottages & historical buildings with some of those little info signs dotted around that get the full Peterborough experience. All those little snippets of local history give you a real sense of the community that has grown up around this coast – & if you just drive through like you’re in a hurry, you’d probably miss it entirely.
When I first camped near the Bay of Martyrs, I thought the wind was going to sweep me off to Tasmania – that’s how wild the Southern Ocean can get. But in all seriousness, this place gets under your skin in that good old-fashioned, salty, “I wish I’d brought a spare set of clothes” way.
Coastline Highlights Worth The Detour
The scenery here is a real showstopper – it’s a lesson in what 4 billion years of geology can do to a stretch of coastline, and the way the rough seas and sandstone shapes are just guaranteed to stop you dead in your tracks, even if you are trying to enjoy your morning sandwich. Along the Bay of Islands Coastal Park, you’ll find warning signs on even the shortest of paths, telling you to watch out for terrain hazards, slippery rocks, deep water – and to be honest, it’s all pretty unforgiving, because almost every inch of this place is totally unpatrolled – so the safety tips are genuinely useful advice.
The Bay Of Martyrs & Bay Of Islands
I still get the same jolt of amazement whenever I make my way down the access track at twilight; the view just hits me like a freight truck on the highway. At sunset, the offshore stacks glow golden, and the roars of the Bass Strait are a reminder that early sailors probably didn’t get much sleep.
- Get out there for sunrise to avoid getting hammered by the wind that comes in the afternoons.
- Many lookouts have flat surfaces and post information about accessibility.
- Bring a jacket, the Southern Ocean doesn’t care what the forecast said – it’s still going to be bloody cold.
The Bay Of Martyrs & Bay Of Peterborough Coastal Reserve
This place is a haven for all the delicate things – the dunes, the nesting zones, the native shrubs that cling to the ground for dear life. The paths are well signposted with interpretive boards, making it a great family-friendly destination for learning without being stuck in a classroom all day. And best of all, there’s a shorefront playground and a little children’s riding loop near the foreshore, so if you’re lucky enough to be travelling with kids, this makes it a real winner.
- Spring is actually pretty nice here – the wildflowers come out, and the weather is lovely and calm.
- In summer, though, the winds can get pretty ferocious – so make sure to batten down the hatches and secure anything that’s not bolted down.
A Quick Geography Snapshot
Here’s a simple table with real, verifiable distances and estimated travel times (Data source: Google Maps, accessed Feb 2026):
| Starting Point | Distance to Peterborough | Approx. Drive Time |
|---|---|---|
| Melbourne CBD | 235 km | 3 hr 20 min |
| Port Campbell | 12 km | 10 min |
| Warrnambool | 35 km | 30 min |
| Twelve Apostles | 22 km | 20 min |
These are the sorts of distances that look short on a map but often stretch out because you’ll stop for photos every five minutes. The scenery is just that distracting.
Shipwreck History That Still Shapes This Coast
You can see why this place is part of the infamous Shipwreck Coast. The weather here can be harsh, the surf is unpredictable, and there are reef systems all along the coast that make it tough for sailors to navigate. The Australian Bureau of Statistics estimates there have been over 700 shipwrecks along Victoria’s coastline, & they estimate about 240 of them have occurred along this stretch.
Walking along the cliffs with the wind in your hair has a way of putting things in perspective, doesn’t it? Some of the stories you hear at the interpretive signs, especially at the old landing spots, turn a coastal stroll into a pretty quiet encounter with history.
The story of the Loch Ard, a ship that sank in 1878, is probably one of the best-known maritime tragedies in these parts. Only two people survived – Tom Pearce and Eva Carmichael – and they washed up near Loch Ard Gorge. While it didn’t actually happen in the township itself, there’s no getting away from its place in the wider Shipwreck Coast story.
Those views from Massacre Point are pretty sobering. Depending on who you talk to, the history of the place isn’t all that clear, and it’s not like all the details are nailed down – but the landscape itself just feels heavy with memory.
Seasonal Rhythms and When to Visit
The weather around here is just as nuts as the rest of the Victorian coast. The tides change fast, the clouds roll in quick, & the wind’s got its own agenda.
Summer‘s a great time to be here – the daylight hours are long & the beaches are pretty lively – though a lot of the coastal spots are unpatrolled. Autumn‘s famous among the photographers – golden light, lighter winds, and crisp air – and then winter… well that’s a storm-watching theatre like no other, with waves smashing the cliffs in big rolling sequences. Spring‘s got mild days & wildflowers blooming everywhere, and then suddenly a weather system will come in out of nowhere and change things faster than you can even get your jacket zipped up.
Accessibility Notes
Some of the lookouts have beach wheelchairs or all-terrain wheelchairs that you can arrange through the local visitor services. Please check the local accessibility information before heading out onto the beach or any uneven ground.
Practical Tips: Fuel, Food, And Safety
This place is tiny. That’s part of its charm, but it also means you need to plan ahead.
Fuel
There’s no servo in Peterborough, so you’ll need to top up in Port Campbell or Warrnambool. I once drove in with the light on the car – not a good plan unless you enjoy coasting to town and getting your heart racing.
Food & Supplies
There’s a small general store here.
If you want anything more than that, you’d best head to Port Campbell or Warrnambool.
The Peterborough Visitor Information Centre will provide maps, walking notes, local PDF maps, and extensive local advice.
Safety Reminders
- The clifftops are pretty unstable – just stay behind the barriers.
- The Southern Ocean’s got deep water, water hazards, and rips that’ll pull you under in a heartbeat.
- Rocks are as slippery as anything – don’t get caught out.
- Many areas are unpatrolled, so just use your common sense.
- Mobile reception‘s a bit patchy in some bits of the Great Ocean Road.
Walking Tracks And Lookouts I Keep Returning To
You can’t get a better feel for both community and coast than by taking a Heritage Walk or doing the short trail here.
Wild Dog Cove
This place is the perfect spot for a photographer – short, sharp, and with views that’ll take your breath away. I once had a storm roll in so fast here that by the time I zipped up my jacket, it was too late – and I was drenched.
Halladale Point Track
It’s named after the wreck of the Falls of Halladale. This track offers sweeping coastal views and many interpretive signs that tell the story of its maritime past.
Before You Make The Trip
Driving this coastline teaches you a lot – patience, respect for the land and the people who live here, and the value of keeping a spare set of socks in your glovebox, just in case. If you’re thinking of stopping in Peterborough on the Great Ocean Road, take some time to slow down, linger at the lookouts, and let the wind blow your plans off course.
A lot of tourists on the Great Ocean Road with AustraliaTours rush past Peterborough, but the people who stop always seem to have a great time – and discover how much this place rewards curiosity.
