There’s no better place to start your journey along the Shipwreck Coast than Wreck Beach at Moonlight Head. Two anchors rusted in the rocks stand as headstones to all ships lost along these savage shores.

The Otways flatten into the Gellibrand River estuary at Princetown. A boardwalk brings you up close and personal with river life.

The Twelve Apostles need no introduction, but while you’re counting them imagine surfers riding those giant waves bashing the limestone pinnacles. Sometimes you’ll see them way out on their boards and wonder how they survive. At nearby Glenample Homestead discover the story of other survivors, Tom Pierce and Eva Carmichael of the Loch Ard wreck.

Port Campbell National Park is the richest site along the coast for a diversity of native plants and ecosystems.

A short drive past Loch Ard and London Bridge brings you to Peterborough, a fishing town with sites to rival the Twelve Apostles at Bay of Martyrs and Bay of Islands. At Crofts Bay you’ll find boat shelters dug into limestone cliffs.

Warrnambool is the largest city on the south-west coast. It has all the facilities of a regional centre but retains its coastal qualities. Whales come to calve at Logans Beach during winter. February is the month for Wunta, the wine and food festival. In May Australia’s longest steeplechase is held in race week and in June the town hosts the Fun 4 Kids children’s festival. Warrnambool has a crowded calendar of events every month of the year.

Last stop is Port Fairy, perhaps the prettiest town in Victoria. Modern in feel and sophisticated in cuisine culture, the port still holds the best of its heritage history. In March Port Fairy hosts an annual international folk festival.