Visit the Shipwreck Coast, Australia

Blowholes roar with spouting water and the ocean seems to boil around towering rock stacks on this majestic coastline.

At the cavernous Loch Ard Gorge, the stunning vista of towering cliffs, sparkling sea and a tiny sandy beach make it hard to imagine the dramas that have unfolded in the treacherous waters.

Highlights

The beautiful Twelve Apostles, set off by a backdrop of dramatic, imposing cliffs are part of a procession of natural features that string the coast: Pudding Basin Rock, Island Arch, the Blowhole and London Bridge.

This coast is best seen when the winds are fierce, whipping the ocean into a frenzy, playing out the natural force that has battered and crafted the landscape into shape. Boardwalks and viewing platforms ensure easy access to the sweeping, awe-inspiring vistas, with blazing hues at sunrise and sunset.

There are plenty of day tours leaving from Melbourne, but these often prove to involve too much driving: our recommendation would be to take your time and spend a night or two in Port Fairy and Apollo Bay.