In years gone, mention of the Shipwreck Coast struck chills into the hearts of seafaring men who had heard of the ships and sailors lost while trying to navigate past this perilous stretch of the Australian mainland. These days the magnificent limestone formations of the Shipwreck Coast strike chills into the hearts of the many visitors to the area, who come to be stunned by its impressive geographical beauty. And its hard not to be amazed by the towering structures that the crashing waves of the Southern Ocean have carved out of the malleable limestone of the coastal cliffs.
Taking its name from the 700 or so ships said to have sunk along its length, the Shipwreck Coast stretches for 180 kilometres between Cape Otway and Port Fairy. It's easily reached from Melbourne by travelling along the scenic Great Ocean Road, which continues its winding way up the spectacular length of this coast to Port Fairy. The drive along the Shipwreck Coast is an adventure in itself. Awe inspiring views greet you at each corner or rise as you meander your way along the cliffs, and there are a host of attractions that you cannot drive past without exploring a bit further.
The most well known of the limestone formations is the Twelve Apostles. These huge pillars of rock rise majestically out of the ocean like the crooked fingers of an ancient shaman, cursing any ships foolish enough to travel near this coast. While five of the original pillars have succumbed to the waves eroding away their base, seven still remain standing, and more will be formed over time as the cliff face is eroded back. Its international reputation has meant this area, and the nearby town of Port Campbell, heaves with tourists the whole year round. Boardwalks and viewing points have been built near the Apostles to protect the environment and provide you with the best viewing positions, and kodak moments abound in this special place.
Continue west from the Twelve Apostles and you reach Loch Ard Gorge, where two vertical, towering walls stretch away from a quiet and secluded beach that is perfect for a picnic or a swim. Do not be fooled into thinking that this gorge is always peaceful and relaxing- when the weather gets up the waves and the wind pour through its narrow mouth and crash against its steep sides. In fact it takes its name from the Loch Ard clipper, which in 1878 ventured too close to land and smashed into the rocks, leaving its remains to be washed up in the gorge. It is well worth stopping off here to enjoy the natural beauty and the historical heritage of this impressive gorge.
Too often people limit their experience of the Shipwreck Coast to whatever is east of Port Campbell. But carry on west of this town and there are still many inspiring limestone structures to be seen. Just past Port Campbell you will find the Grotto, which is where multiple sinkholes have worn away the rock until they met, creating an arch between them. Stairways take you down to this natural arch and the ocean pools around it.
The next structure that greets you as you drive along is London Bridge, which bears a startling resemblance to its namesake in the British capitol, even though part of it collapsed a few years ago. London Bridge Beach is next to this formation, and is a tantalising stretch of sand bordered by high cliffs where members of a local penguin colony can often be spotted.
The town of Peterborough is your gateway to two spectacular bays that come one after the other as you drive up the coast, first the Bay of Martyrs and then the Bay of Islands. There is a carpark at the Bay of Martyrs from where you can explore its long and quiet beach, and you can also see the Bay of Islands from here. Its limestone stacks are similar to the towers of the Apostles, except they sit lower in the ocean, and there are more of them. The rock debris and boulders littering the coast and the limestone islands in this bay are a magnificent testimony to the force of nature that batters this coastline. They provide viewers with spectacular scenery, that is especially appealing when viewed with the sun slowly sinking in the sky behind it. This is a poignant way to end your holiday on the Shipwreck Coast, watching the sunset over the Bay of Islands, which is the last point of interest on this treacherous coastline. The good news is that you can turn around and see it all again on your drive back!
The accommodation options up the Shipwreck coast are many and varied, catering to all budgets and all group sizes. If the task of choosing somewhere to stay seems a bit daunting, it shouldnt be. Just log onto www.shipwreckcoastaccommodation.com.au and you will find all the places to stay categorised according to location and accommodation type, with contact details and other important information provided. Tourism operator details and travel information for the Shipwreck Coast is also listed, so be sure to give this site a look if you are planning a holiday here.
Gavin Wyatt is a journalist with a passion for travel. originally from Zambia he has traveled around the world to end up on the sunny shores of Australia. For more of his articles visit Melbourne Car Hire.
