Late Autumn, Winter and early Spring are times for big waves, book your front row seat for a glimpse of the age old battle that has shaped this spectacular coastline. With the weather we have been having lately you could be forgiven for thinking that summer had never left us and winter was never going to come. I love winter down here. Wild storms, invigorating beach walks and the comfort of a warm fire and a cheeky glass of red or dram of local whiskey.
There is something special about rugging up, braving the elements and then retreating with rosy cheeks to the comfort of your accommodation. Why not plug into the elements then slip into comfort with a short break in June, July, August or September? Winter is a time when the big heavyweight bouts play out between sea and stone, a time of rainbows, brilliant light and the rich tang of salt air to build up an appetite.
The Port Campbell coastline is exposed to the full might of the Southern Ocean during the winter months and our high coastal lookouts are a perfect vantage point to watch all the drama.
My favourite is Loch Ard Gorge where the roar of the ocean is amplified by the many bays, gorges, caves stacks and cliffs that repel the ocean at every angle in mighty plumes of backwash, spray and foam.
So check out the weather maps, know that nasty is nice and book your seats for a glimpse of the age old battle that has shaped this spectacular coastline.
My favourite viewing areas to view big wave hits:
1: Muttonbird Island Lookout - Loch Ard Gorge
2: Wreck of the Loch Ard Lookout - Loch Ard Gorge
3: London Bridge – 7km west of Port Campbell (particularly the lower viewing platform but take care it can get slippery.)
4: Thunder Cave – Loch Ard Gorge
5: Peterborough Headland – Peterborough (especially eating fish and chips in the car)
6: The Grotto – 8km east of Port Campbell – (Lower viewing platform can be closed and advise viewing from viewing platform above stairs when the swell is above 4m)
7: Bay of Islands – Bay of Islands Coastal Park, Peterborough
8: Saddle viewing area looking east to Gibson Steps - 12 Apostles
9: Port Campbell Jetty and headland lookouts – Port Campbell (Jetty is generally inaccessible when the swell gets above 5m and you may get wave spray in swells above 4m)
10: The Arch – Such an underrated viewing area with a viewing platform that will keep you high and dry with a view of wages surging through the sea level arch and exploding into Point Hesse to the west. Look for backwash bombs going off just to the west and below the platform.
Favourite post viewing fireplaces and comfort food stops:
1: Timboon Railway Shed Distillery – Timboon
2: Forage on the Foreshore – Port Campbell
3: Great Ocean Road Wildlife Park – Princetown
4: Port Campbell Hotel – Port Campbell
5: G.O.R.G.E chocolates – Princetown
Time to book?
Give us a call on 1300 137 255 or browse and book accommodation options here.
Would you like a helicopter flight, sky dive, gourmet picnic on a rail trail, close encounter with a dingo with that? This might help
Or perhaps you may want to retreat fireside with a selection of treats harvested on the 12 Apostles Food Artisan Trail.
Or if you have your own equipment and want to get wild in the outdoors this winter. This is for you!
Sign up to get the latest deals, tours & events along the Great Ocean Road
Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Great Ocean Road region the Wadawurrung, Eastern Maar & Gunditjmara. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging. We recognise and respect their unique cultural heritage and the connection to their traditional lands. We commit to building genuine and lasting partnerships that recognise, embrace and support the spirit of reconciliation, working towards self-determination, equity of outcomes and an equal voice for Australia’s first people.
