Peterborough Beach
Expect salt spray, breezy fun, lots of swims and lazy beach strolls to distant limestone cliffs. It feels like a world away, yet you’re within easy reach of the creature comforts of Peterborough. This true ocean beach has surging waves and a permanent rip at the eastern end – plus some seriously good fishing, in the lagoon or off the beach or rocks. Nearby parking and picnic areas mean you can stay and play all day without a care in the world.
Bay of Islands Beach
Scenic and good for the soul, this windswept coastline offers up unexpected treats like sea swimming far from the madding crowd. There’s deep water offshore, particularly at high tide, but the reefs filter out most waves. In the bay’s eastern corner at a bend in the Great Ocean Road, the rugged, bluff-fringed shore gives way to a narrow 70m long beach that’s usually remarkably calm. Bring your camera and capture some stunning visual keepsakes.
Childers Cove
A secluded, get-away ocean beach where Nature rules time and tide. Take the narrow 7km road detour from the Great Ocean Road and let a day of perfect solitude unfold. This small cove is low and flat, but beware, a permanent rip lurks so swimming is not recommended. Instead, chillax in the secluded locale, amble between the shallows and the sandy tracts, and ogle some of the largest sea stacks this side of the 12 Apostles.
East Beach
The jewel of Port Fairy! East Beach’s 5.8km shoreline curves in a broad arc from Reef Point to the harbour entrance wall. Paddle or swim safely in the shelter of the bay. Dig your toes into the fine, white sand. Read the afternoon away in utter relaxation. Surf any of many breaks in the shallow surf zone – try Oigles, a local favourite that breaks over an old shipwreck. Swim between the flags and say hello to the local lifeguards.
Pea Soup / South Beach
Safe, small and super-fun. On the south side of Port Fairy, Pea Soup and South Beach are adjoining reef-protected, family-friendly beaches. Reach the sand with ease via any of three car parks with direct shore access. You could spend hours discovering curious creatures in the rock pools, building sandcastles and paddling in the shallows. Both beaches are relatively safe for swimmers, but keep an eye out for submerged rocks and holes, especially at high tide.
South Mole
Got stand up paddle or swimming on your mind? Head to South Mole, known for its low waves and continuous shallow sand bar. The 200m long beach faces north-east and is relatively safe for swimmers and boarders. Pack a picnic, your board and your shade tent and reach it on foot from Martins Point car park via the footbridge onto Griffiths Island. The island protects the beach, so waves average 0.5m and rips are rare.
Fun on our waterways
The Moyne region’s waterways flow with fishing, fun and watersports. Take the kids angling for bream, salmon or mullet in protected estuaries at Port Fairy, Peterborough or Yambuk, where fishing platforms and secret spots abound. Dive in for gentle swimming away from the ocean waves, canoe glide across a lake against a scenic backdrop, or stand-up paddleboard along a river with local birdlife as your guides. Wind surfers love cruising the waters at Belfast Lough, South Beach and Killarney.
Killarney Beach
A beach for the ages! This hidden gem boasts Victoria’s best whiting fishing, safe snorkelling and paddling in a natural lagoon, amazing birdlife, a boat ramp and endless beach walking. And don’t forget your surfboard. Lovely clear water and wide open spaces set the scene for endless ambling. Let the kids run free at the playground then splash into the sea back at the 1km long swimming beach. Relax: the waves are usually low to calm and without rips.
Sign up to get the latest deals, tours & events along the Great Ocean Road
Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Great Ocean Road region the Wadawurrung, Eastern Maar & Gunditjmara. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging. We recognise and respect their unique cultural heritage and the connection to their traditional lands. We commit to building genuine and lasting partnerships that recognise, embrace and support the spirit of reconciliation, working towards self-determination, equity of outcomes and an equal voice for Australia’s first people.
