National park · Australia
Port Campbell National Park
Entry is free — no gate, no ticket. Drive the Great Ocean Road and stop at the Twelve Apostles before 9:00 or after 17:00 to dodge the coach crowds; Loch Ard Gorge and the Loch Ard shipwreck walk are the best short hikes.Entry is free — no gate, no ticket. Drive the Great Ocean Road and stop at the Twelve Apostles before 9:00 AM or after 5:00 PM to dodge the coach crowds; Loch Ard Gorge and the Loch Ard shipwreck walk are the best short hikes.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
18 km² (7 sq mi)7 sq mi (18 km²)
approximate
Established
1964
Best months
Oct–Mar
UNESCO
None
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.
At a glance
- Country
- Australia
- Area
- 18 km² (7 sq mi)7 sq mi (18 km²)
- About 1,750 hectares (17.5 km²) after the 1981 extension, from Curdies Inlet near Peterborough to Point Ronald at Princetown (check).
- Established
- 1964
- Best months
- Oct–Mar
- Permits
- For some areas
Port Campbell National Park protects a 30-odd km strip of limestone coast along the Great Ocean Road: sea stacks, gorges, arches and blowholes cut by Southern Ocean swell. The Twelve Apostles get the crowds; the rest of the park — Loch Ard Gorge, the Arch, London Arch, the Grotto — is quieter and, for many visitors, better. There is no entrance fee and no gate. The park is a day-use stop on the drive between Apollo Bay and Warrnambool, not a place you sleep in.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1964.
Size and age
18 km² (7 sq mi)7 sq mi (18 km²) · national park since 1964
About 1,750 hectares (17.5 km²) after the 1981 extension, from Curdies Inlet near Peterborough to Point Ronald at Princetown (check).
Why go
- The Twelve Apostles: seven remaining limestone stacks standing in the surf off a 70 m cliff.
- Loch Ard Gorge, where the clipper Loch Ard wrecked in 1878 — two survivors out of 54 aboard.
- A chain of stops you can do in one afternoon: Gibson Steps, the Arch, London Arch, the Grotto.
- Free entry and roadside car parks, so the cost of the day is fuel and food, not tickets.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprGo
- MayGo
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanWarmest month; long evenings, biggest crowds
- FebWarm and settled; still busy
- MarMild, fewer coaches after Easter
- AprCooler; rain returns
- MayQuiet; grey and windy
- JunCold, wet, short days
- JulColdest; squalls off the Southern Ocean
- AugWet and windy; whales offshore
- SepWild weather, dramatic seas, few people
- OctMild, changeable, shoulder-season crowds
- NovWarm spells; long daylight
- DecWarm; Australian school holidays start
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern right and humpback whales offshoreJun–Sep · Seen from the clifftop lookouts; no boat needed. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Little penguins coming ashore at duskNov–Feb · Along the shoreline near the Twelve Apostles; keep your distance and no torches. | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
| Hooded plovers nesting on beachesSep–Mar · Nests are scrapes in the sand — stay off the upper beach and keep dogs away. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Peregrine falcons, swamp harriers and honeyeatersAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Melbourne
M1 to Geelong, then the Great Ocean Road via Apollo Bay; or the inland route via Colac and the A1/C161 for the fastest run.
2.5–3.5 h
Open the page →
From Apollo Bay
Great Ocean Road west through the Otways to the Twelve Apostles car park.
1.5 h
From Warrnambool
Great Ocean Road east to Port Campbell, then on to the stacks.
1 h
From Port Campbell town
Short drive to the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge car parks.
10–15 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Twelve Apostles and Gibson Steps | The main car park, kiosk, clifftop boardwalks and the 86-step staircase to the beach. | Open day and night; free. |
| Loch Ard Gorge area | Gorge, beach, cemetery and the Tom and Eva lookouts. | Open; short walks from the car park. |
| The Arch, London Arch and the Grotto | The western stops along the clifftop between Port Campbell and Peterborough. | Open; roadside parking. |
| The Twelve Apostles Marine National Park | The protected water and seabed off the stacks. | No landing or fishing inside the marine park boundaries (check). |
Sketch map
- 1Twelve Apostles car park · Gate≈-38.665, 143.104Kiosk, toilets and the main lookouts.Map ↗
- 2Twelve Apostles stacks · Viewpoint≈-38.641, 143.049Map ↗
- 3Gibson Steps · Beach≈-38.669, 143.111Map ↗
- 4Loch Ard Gorge · Cave≈-38.647, 143.070Map ↗
- 5The Arch · Viewpoint≈-38.624, 142.943Map ↗
- 6London Arch · Viewpoint≈-38.622, 142.933Map ↗
- 7The Grotto · Cave≈-38.605, 142.913Map ↗
- 8Port Campbell town · Town≈-38.619, 142.996Map ↗
Take the points offline
8 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions along the Great Ocean Road, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | person | No entrance fee and no gate; parking at the signed stops is free. |
| Twelve Apostles kiosk parking | Free | vehicle | Free, but fills by mid-morning in summer. |
| V/Line coach, Melbourne to Port Campbell | AUD 30–60 (≈ US$20–40) | person one way | 2026 estimate; limited weekly services, book ahead (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
Camping no permit
Drone flight permit or guide
Park rules
- Stay behind the fences
- Cliff edges are undercut and crumble without warning; the signed lookouts are the safe viewpoints.
- No camping or sleeping in car parks
- Prohibited throughout the park; the nearest beds are in Port Campbell and Warrnambool.
- No drones
- Recreational drone use needs a Parks Victoria permit and is banned at some sites (check).check
- Speed limit
- 80 km/h (50 mph) on the Great Ocean Road through the park; slow for wildlife and pedestrians.50 mph (80 km/h) on the Great Ocean Road through the park; slow for wildlife and pedestrians.
- Leave no trace
- Take all rubbish out; there are no bins at most stops.
Where to stay
Near the park
Port Campbell
Motels, holiday units and a hostel 10–15 min from the Twelve Apostles; the closest base.
Near the park
Warrnambool
Larger town with more rooms and services, about 1 h west.
Near the park
Apollo Bay and the Otways
East along the Great Ocean Road; pairs this park with Great Otway National Park.
Safety
Cliff edges and undercut rock high
Cold water and strong swell high
Wind and rain medium
Wildlife on the road medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge lookouts have paved, wheelchair-accessible paths from the car parks.
- Gibson Steps and the gorge beach are reached by stairs only.
- Accessible parking and toilets are at the Twelve Apostles car park.
Visiting lightly
- Carry out everything you bring; bins are scarce and wildlife raids them.
- Give hooded plovers and penguins space — nests and burrows are on the beaches and dunes.
- Take a commercial tour or the V/Line coach instead of a second car where you can.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Port Campbell National Park?
Nothing. There is no entrance fee, no gate and no ticket — parking at the signed stops is free. You pay only for transport, food and any tour you book.
What are the best hikes in Port Campbell National Park?
The Loch Ard Gorge and shipwreck walk (1–1.5 h) is the best short hike, with steps into the gorge and a clifftop path to the cemetery and the Tom and Eva lookouts. Gibson Steps is a 30-minute descent to the beach, and the Twelve Apostles boardwalk loop takes 30–45 minutes.
When is the best time to visit Port Campbell National Park?
December to March for the warmest weather, or October–November and March–April for mild days with fewer coaches. Winter (June–August) is cold, wet and windy but quiet, and it is the season for whales offshore.
How do I avoid the crowds at the Twelve Apostles?
Arrive before 9:00 or after 17:00. Coach groups peak between about 10:00 and 16:00, and the car park fills by mid-morning in summer. Loch Ard Gorge and the western stops are quieter at any hour.
Can I camp or stay overnight in the park?
No. Camping and sleeping in car parks are prohibited. The nearest accommodation is in Port Campbell, 10–15 minutes away, or Warrnambool about an hour west.
Can I swim at Gibson Steps or Loch Ard Gorge?
No. The water is cold year-round, the swell is strong and there are no lifeguards. Treat every beach in the park as a viewpoint, not a swimming spot.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
- officialParks Victoria — Port Campbell National Park
- officialParks Victoria — Twelve Apostles
- officialParks Victoria — London Bridge
- officialParks Victoria — The Arch day visitor area
- officialV/Line — timetables and bookings
- secondaryWikivoyage: Port Campbell National Park, revision 4894488 (CC BY-SA 4.0)