National Parks and Reserves

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. Peterborough is a secret summer destination for many Victorian visitors escaping the busier sections of the Great Ocean Road to the east.

Bay of Islands beach on Boat Bay Road is one the best spots along the coastline to easily launch a sea kayak and explore the park.
Dogs are welcome on lead at Sandy Cove near Murnanes Bay, but need to kept well away from the area between the high tide marks and edge of the dunes that are home to Hooded Plovers’s nests.
The park’s small beaches are not patrolled. Parks Victoria does not recommend them for swimming.

As beaches and coasts are natural environments, you may encounter hazards. Follow our water safety advice to make sure your day out at Bay of Islands Coastal Park is a safe and enjoyable one.

Conditions can change in parks for many reasons. Before your visit, please check the relevant park page on the Parks Victoria website for updated changes of conditions and familiarise yourself with important bushfire safety information to ensure your experience is safe and enjoyable. For information about fires, Fire Danger Ratings and Total Fire Bans visit www.emergency.vic.gov.au