Major city · Australia
Port Campbell
Stay one night in Port Campbell to see the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge at sunset and sunrise; two nights if you want the full coast without rushing.
Port Campbell is a small coastal town of about 478 people sitting right inside Port Campbell National Park, the stretch of limestone stacks, gorges and arches that includes the Twelve Apostles. The town itself is compact and walkable, but the sights are spread along the coast road, so you need a car to see them properly. Most travellers pass through on the Great Ocean Road; staying the night lets you catch the stacks at golden hour when the tour buses have gone.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- AUD
- Best months
- Nov–Apr
- avoid Jun–Aug (cold, wet, windy)
- Airports
- MEL · AVV
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 7
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
- Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
- Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
- Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Port Campbell000 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Port Campbell, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Australian dollar (AUD, A$).Australia-wide
- SIM or eSIMTelstra has the widest outback coverage; Optus and Vodafone (TPG) are cheaper and fine in cities and along highways.Australia-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in cities and towns; in remote places use signed drinking taps.Australia-wide
- TippingRestaurants: Not expected; 10% for very good service in a nice restaurant if you wish.Australia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets I. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Australia-wide
- SafetyA quiet, low-crime town; the real risks are the coastline (unstable cliffs, strong surf) and wildlife on the road at dusk.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets in parks, beaches, shopping centres and petrol stations (servos); the National Public Toilet Map app lists them.Australia-wide
- Emergency numbers000 police, fire, ambulance · 112 From mobiles
- Sundays & holidaysChristmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day morning close most shops; many cafés close by 15:00; country towns close early on Saturday and all Sunday.Christmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day morning close most shops; many cafés close by 3:00 PM; country towns close early on Saturday and all Sunday.Australia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportMEL Melbourne Airport (About 3 h 15 min by car via the Princes Highway; allow 4 h 30 min via the Great Ocean Road).
- Getting aroundThe town is small enough to walk or cycle; the beach and jetty are a couple of minutes from Lord Street.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeA$4–6 (≈ US$3–4)
- Beerschooner at the pub / can at the bottle shopA$8–12 (≈ US$6–8)A$5–8 (≈ US$4–6)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekA$20–40 (≈ US$14–30)
- Budget bedHostel or shared bed, a night, per personA$45 (≈ US$30)
- Mid-range bedMotel or apartment double room, a night, per roomA$220 (≈ US$150)
- High-end bedMotel or apartment double room, a night, per roomA$380 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget A$120 (≈ US$80) · Mid A$200 (≈ US$140) · High A$350 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MEL Melbourne Airport (About 3 h 15 min by car via the Princes Highway; allow 4 h 30 min via the Great Ocean Road) · AVV Avalon Airport (Closer to the Geelong end of the coast road; check car hire before booking)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Feb
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Mar
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Apr
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
May
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Jun
Avoid
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Jul
Avoid
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Aug
Avoid
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Sep
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Oct
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Nov
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Dec
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Best: Nov–Apr. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)), coolest Jul (6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C) low), wettest Jul (17 rain days), driest Feb (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Port Campbell: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
7 rd
Feb
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
6 rd
Mar
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
9 rd
Apr
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
11 rd
May
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
14 rd
Jun
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
15 rd
Jul
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
17 rd
Aug
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
17 rd
Sep
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
15 rd
Oct
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
13 rd
Nov
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
10 rd
Dec
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
8 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The town is small enough to walk or cycle; the beach and jetty are a couple of minutes from Lord Street. For the national park you need a car: no walking trail links the town to the Twelve Apostles or Loch Ard Gorge. A V/Line coach connects Port Campbell with Melbourne, Apollo Bay and Warrnambool a few times a week, and a local bus runs to Warrnambool weekly; the nearest train stations are Camperdown (about 53 km) and Warrnambool (about 67 km).
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge
goDoor to door: About 20 min
Drive west on the Great Ocean Road, about 10–15 min
Go early or late: the car park and viewing platforms are busiest in the middle of the day.
London Bridge, the Arch and the Grotto
goDoor to door: About 30–40 min
Drive west past Port Campbell, short stops along the coast road
Chain these into one loop with the Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge.
Apollo Bay
goDoor to door: About 1 h 15 min
Drive east on the Great Ocean Road
A scenic coastal drive; good for a half-day out.
Warrnambool
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Drive west on the Princes Highway
Larger town with supermarkets, fuel and more eating options.
Melbourne
skipDoor to door: About 3 h 15 min
Drive via the Princes Highway
Too far for a day return; treat it as the start or end of the trip.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Lord Street and the town centre
Motels, apartments and the pub within a few minutes' walk of the beach and jetty.
Beachfront and bay side
Water views and the shortest walk to the sand; book early for summer weekends.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- A$120–180 (≈ US$80–120) excl. bed
- Mid
- A$180–300 (≈ US$120–200) excl. bed
- High
- A$300 (≈ US$200)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel or apartment double room1 × 1 night × A$220 | A$220 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × A$200 | A$400 |
| Car hire, one day1 × A$80 · check | A$80 |
| Fuel, Great Ocean Road loop1 × A$60 · check | A$60 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × A$30 | A$60 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | A$82 |
| Trip total≈ A$451 per person per day, bed included | A$902≈ US$600 |
2026 estimate in Australian dollars; flights and car hire excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | A$4–6 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Pub meal (parma, steak, fish) | A$25–40 (≈ US$17–30) |
| Takeaway fish and chips | A$15–25 (≈ US$10–17) |
| Beer: schooner at the pub / can at the bottle shop | A$8–12 (≈ US$6–8) / A$5–8 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Supermarket groceries, one person, one day | A$20–35 (≈ US$14–25) |
| Fuel, per litre | A$1.80–2.20 (≈ US$2) (check) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | A$20–40 (≈ US$14–30) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No trail connects the town to the Twelve Apostles or Loch Ard Gorge: drive, or book a tour.
- Coastline is unstable in places: stay behind the barriers and on marked paths.
- Summer weekends and holidays fill the town's small room stock: book ahead.
- Fuel and food options are limited after dark; fill up and eat before the kitchens close.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 000
- From mobiles
- 112
Pocket card
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Port CampbellPort Campbell
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance000
- From mobiles112
Embassy
No embassies in town; consulates-general are in Melbourne.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- V/Line coach, Melbourne → Port Campbell: check current timetable and fare; runs a few times a week
- Car hire, one day: about A$80 (≈ US$55) plus fuel (check)
- Twelve Apostles car park: free; no entry fee for the viewing platforms
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Where is the beach? — Where is the beach?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- How far is the Twelve Apostles? — How far is the Twelve Apostles?
Small town: many places close early and card is accepted almost everywhere.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Port Campbell. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Apr · avoid Jun–Aug (cold, wet, windy) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for MEL: driving times and car-hire fallbacks field-checked.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: Lord Street, the beach and jetty, the Discovery Walk.
- Place pages with verified access notes (Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, London Bridge, the Grotto, Gibson Steps) and eat pages with last orders.
- Sunset and hostile-weather fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
Ask about Port Campbell
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