Bay of Islands
Bay of Islands
5
About
A land and seascape sculpted by the elements over millennia. Arches, islands and rock stacks are dotted along a wild coastline of beach coves and spectacular lookouts. The wild Southern Ocean has carved a stunning collection of rock stacks and sheltered bays with clifftop walks, scenic lookouts and small beach coves near Peterborough along the Great Ocean Road. Perhaps overshadowed by the Port Campbell and the Twelve Apostles down the road, the Bay of Islands Coastal Park offers just equally spectacular experience without the crowds. Dogs are welcome on a lead at Sandy Cove near Murnanes Bay.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
696 reviews
Excellent
549
Very good
134
Average
11
Poor
2
Terrible
0
LynchyA
Melbourne, Australia170 contributions
Jan 2021 • Family
I love Bay of Islands! It so gorgeous and the huge rocks make you feel small. There’s two tiny viewing platforms but that’s ok if you go when it’s quiet. Don’t know when that might be. We went around 5pm.
Written January 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Xanerin
Alice Springs, Australia1,470 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
Wow! This is certainly worth seeing and is quite magical. I was lucky with my binoculars to see a whale as it was moving up the coast. There is plenty of bird life and the formations of the rocks are stunning. If it is sunny, the views are outstanding. I am told penguins visit this area and NZ fur seals but we did not see any.
Written May 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul L
Hallam, Australia997 contributions
Sep 2023 • Solo
Of course part of your experience in an area of interesting coastline will depend on the weather and given Victorian weather can often be described as 'changeable' be prepared to see these rock formations along the coast in driving rain, brilliant sunshine, blustery winds or overcast conditions.
Like much of the area along this part of the Victorian coast the geological factors at work here are obvious and interesting. There are a range of vantage points at which to stop - some with decent amounts of parking others with only a few spots - and it would be a pity to do The Arch, London Bridge, Loch Ard and the like and not pop in for a look at these rocky outcrops.
Like much of the area along this part of the Victorian coast the geological factors at work here are obvious and interesting. There are a range of vantage points at which to stop - some with decent amounts of parking others with only a few spots - and it would be a pity to do The Arch, London Bridge, Loch Ard and the like and not pop in for a look at these rocky outcrops.
Written September 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
guennie3
Cambridge, UK460 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
Another great part of the Great Ocean Road. Less visited than the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge etc as it is a bit off the beaten track towards the end of this stretch of coastline. Well worth a visit though. Amazing scenery.
Written October 24, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DebVictoria2016
Victoria, Australia74 contributions
Aug 2021
Another stop of point on the Great Ocean Road and another great view of the rock formations. So much birdlife at this point, including species we hadn't seen before (the Australian Shelduck was most unexpected). Access to the beach is available from the boat ramp access which is a little further up the road. Blowing a gale but worth being buffeted about for the view.
Written August 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sharlsandco
Melbourne, Australia164 contributions
Nov 2021
worth stopping for a look. Great rocky outcrops within the bay created over years of erosion. Pretty views and excellent photo opportunities. Well maintained walk paths.
Written November 29, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
monib
Narre Warren, Australia435 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
Short drive from Peterborough is the Bay of Islands. Watched a stunning sunset. Easy parking off the Great Ocean Rd and sevetal gentle walking tracks with different views. Wheel chair accessable but may be a little hard pushing. Coastline is beautiful
Written February 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dilemma13
Melbourne, Australia95 contributions
Sep 2020
Beautiful stone stacks and cliffs in a kind of similar vein to the twelve apostles. Much less crowded. There are a couple of very short easy walks to viewing platforms from the main car park. My advice is to head to the boat ramp car park a couple of hundred metres on either by foot or with the car and head down to the small beach via the steps there. Lovely little beach and not a soul around the day we were there. Kids loved it. Great photo opportunities too. Very beautiful spot.
Written September 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks so much for sharing your experience at Bay of Islands and for providing advice for future visitors.
We're so glad that you and the kids loved this beautiful spot!
Thanks again,
Parks Victoria
Written October 2, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
nilintentum_reliquit
Melbourne, Australia2,586 contributions
Jan 2014 • Family
The Bay of Martyrs and Bay of Islands finishes off the Great Ocean Road in fine form an worthy of a stop and the end of a long day.
If you have time Warrnambool is an interesting overnight stop with a beachfront promenade that hugs a long clean beach making it a very pleasant stroll. The town itself has lots of historic buildings so pick up a free guide as it is good to wander around for an hour.
However, pretty Port Fairy is the jewel filled with charm and all round good vibe. Again pick up a free guide to walk the wonderful historic buildings which have been and are key in telling Victoria's story. The river is a pleasant setting for a coffee or lunch stop before heading off to Griffin Island which is an easy walk. It has a nice lighthouse, an interesting coastline and some wildlife which will please the photographers out there.
Further on is Portland which again has a collection of historic monuments, but it is really the jumping off point for the stunning Cape Bridgewater. This is great place to stop for a while to enjoy the spectacular scenery and take the short walk to the petrified forest and blowholes.
THANKS for the vote if you found this useful. Happy travels.
If you have time Warrnambool is an interesting overnight stop with a beachfront promenade that hugs a long clean beach making it a very pleasant stroll. The town itself has lots of historic buildings so pick up a free guide as it is good to wander around for an hour.
However, pretty Port Fairy is the jewel filled with charm and all round good vibe. Again pick up a free guide to walk the wonderful historic buildings which have been and are key in telling Victoria's story. The river is a pleasant setting for a coffee or lunch stop before heading off to Griffin Island which is an easy walk. It has a nice lighthouse, an interesting coastline and some wildlife which will please the photographers out there.
Further on is Portland which again has a collection of historic monuments, but it is really the jumping off point for the stunning Cape Bridgewater. This is great place to stop for a while to enjoy the spectacular scenery and take the short walk to the petrified forest and blowholes.
THANKS for the vote if you found this useful. Happy travels.
Written January 2, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
aussietony_10
Canberra, Australia170 contributions
Oct 2013 • Couples
The car park is on the side of the road closest to the ocean, a few kilometres west of Peterborough. The Twelve Apostles are genuinely spectacular and get all the press, probably because they are closer to Melbourne and tourist buses on a day trip. We thought the Bay of Islands was just as spectacular with the advantage of the lookouts being less crowded, In addition, you can look down at a small inlet adjacent and see the waves doing their work, including a recent rockfall. The London Bridge car park further on has an excellent formation of an island with an arch underneath, along with some very good explanatory material posted by the Victorian Conservation department.
Written October 16, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, we will be travelling to GOR in early Nov. Will it be fine to reach Cape Otway around 7pm?
Written September 19, 2015
I went from Warrnambool to Anglesea between 8am to 2.30 pm without the extra 28 kilometre detour to Cape Ottoway. I stopped at the Bay of Islands, Twelve Apostles and Apollo Bay for lunch. I was in my accommodation on the Dukes Hwy at Beaufort Vic by 4.30 pm. Going east to west would be slower because of all the RVs in convoy from Melbourne. I was on a motorcycle and it was light rain.
Written September 20, 2015
Is early September a good time to visit this attraction?
Written January 4, 2015
I would pack a Rain Coat as early September , there is the usual spring rain, and it may be windy and chilly so a warm jacket would be needed
Written January 6, 2015
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