Princetown

Princetown is a sleepy coastal hamlet at the mouth of the Gellibrand River on Victoria’s Shipwreck Coast, offering wild beaches, dramatic dune systems, and a genuine sense of isolation. It’s the closest settlement to the iconic Twelve Apostles and a perfect quiet base for exploring the Great Ocean Road.

Highlights & What to See

• Princetown Beach: A vast, windswept stretch of sand backed by towering dunes – ideal for long walks, beach fishing, and watching the Southern Ocean swell roll in.
• Gellibrand River Mouth: The river meets the sea here, creating a calm lagoon popular for kayaking and birdwatching. Spot black swans, pelicans and egrets.
• Twelve Apostles: Just a 10-minute drive west, these limestone stacks rising from the ocean are the region’s star attraction. Visit at sunrise or sunset for fewer crowds and spectacular light.
• Loch Ard Gorge: A short drive away, this dramatic gorge with a sandy beach tells the story of the 1878 shipwreck Loch Ard. Walk the clifftop trails and peer into the bluest water.
• Port Campbell National Park: Encompassing the Apostles, Gorge and other rock formations like the Razorback and Island Archway, this park offers short walks and epic coastal views.

Suggested Time to Spend

Most visitors use Princetown as a stopover for one or two nights, allowing a full day to explore the Twelve Apostles and Port Campbell National Park. If you’re driving the Great Ocean Road from Torquay, a night here breaks the journey perfectly. Spend your first afternoon on the beach or kayaking the river, then dedicate the next morning to the Apostles and gorge before continuing west.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Port Campbell: A lively fishing village 10 km west, with cafés, the Port Campbell Discovery Centre, and access to London Bridge and The Grotto.
• Peterborough: A quieter coastal town 15 km west, known for its surf beach and the Bay of Islands Coastal Park.
• Warrnambool: A larger regional city 40 km west, with Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, whale-watching at Logans Beach (June–September), and the Warrnambool Botanic Gardens.
• Great Otway National Park: Heading east, this lush rainforest park features waterfalls (Triplet Falls, Hopetoun Falls), the Otway Fly treetop walk, and Cape Otway Lighthouse.
• Twelve Apostles Helicopter Flights: Scenic helicopter tours depart from the Apostles visitor centre, offering a breathtaking aerial perspective of the coastline.

Please check official sources for current details.