Bay of Islands
A wider, quieter panorama of limestone sea stacks 20 km west of the Twelve Apostles — the same dramatic erosion, far smaller crowds, and a coastal park most travellers miss.
The Apostles' wider, quieter sibling
Bay of Islands is the Twelve Apostles for travellers who want the same dramatic limestone landscape without the crowds. Located 20 kilometres west of Port Campbell — the western limit of where most coach tours and day-trippers reach — the formation gets a fraction of the Twelve Apostles' visitor numbers despite producing arguably more impressive panoramic views.
The 'islands' are actually offshore limestone sea stacks formed by the same erosion process that created the Apostles. The bay's shape — a long, gently curving section of coast — means the stacks spread across a panoramic field rather than clustering tightly. From the main viewpoint, you can see roughly 12 substantial stacks plus dozens of smaller formations. The wider panorama produces different photography compositions: horizontal, sweeping, less iconic but more meditative than the Twelve Apostles' tight vertical feel.
Bay of Islands sits within the Bay of Islands Coastal Park, a smaller protected area than Port Campbell National Park. Multiple viewpoints connect via cliff-top walking trails, and a few hundred metres of clifftop walks separate the main lookouts from quieter alternative angles. Allow at least 30 minutes; longer if you want the full cliff-top circuit.
The viewpoints, the cliff trails, and Childers Cove
Park at the signposted free car park (about 40 spaces). From the car park, paved paths radiate to multiple viewpoints — the main panoramic lookout (most visitors stop only here), and several smaller platforms that show different angles of the stack field. The full cliff-top circuit takes 45–60 minutes if you do all the platforms.
Walking trails connect Bay of Islands to nearby Bay of Martyrs (3 km east, similar formation). The full Bay of Islands Coastal Park trail loop is about 5 km return, mostly along cliff-top heath with occasional descent into protected coves. For a quieter experience, Childers Cove (8 km west, separate small access) requires a walk down to a hidden cove that sees a fraction of the visitors of the main bay.
Combine Bay of Islands with London Arch (12 km east) and The Grotto (8 km east) for a single 90-minute western Shipwreck Coast circuit. Most travellers do this loop either as a morning circuit before sunset at the Twelve Apostles, or as a sunrise circuit before driving home via the inland Princes Highway.
Wide panoramic compositions
- Wide horizontal panorama — 24-35mm focal length captures the spread of stacks across a single frame. Use the leading curve of the cliff edge to draw the eye through.
- Telephoto compression — 70-100mm tightens onto specific stack groupings, removing the wider context for a more abstract composition.
- Late afternoon side light — same warm angle as the Twelve Apostles. The seaward face of the stacks lights up amber.
- Sunrise (east-facing lookouts) — direct light on the stacks, dramatically less crowded than the Apostles equivalent.
- Long exposure — 1–4 seconds smooths the surf around the stacks. ND filter for daylight long exposure.
- Cloudy weather — diffused light works for the broad panoramic compositions where strong directional light can flatten the scene.
The full Shipwreck Coast western circuit
Bay of Islands FAQs
- Where is Bay of Islands?
- Bay of Islands sits in Bay of Islands Coastal Park, about 20 kilometres west of Port Campbell town. It's signposted from the Great Ocean Road, with a free car park and paved paths leading to multiple cliff-top viewpoints. The 'islands' are actually offshore limestone sea stacks similar in formation to the Twelve Apostles.
- Is Bay of Islands worth visiting?
- Yes — and it's typically far quieter than the Twelve Apostles. Bay of Islands has a wider panorama (more stacks visible at once), smaller crowds, and the same dramatic limestone landscape. Most travellers spend 30 minutes here. Combine with London Arch, The Grotto, and Bay of Martyrs for a full western Shipwreck Coast loop.
- How is Bay of Islands different from the Twelve Apostles?
- Bay of Islands is wider but less concentrated. The Twelve Apostles cluster eight stacks within a small area (visually impactful, photographed millions of times). Bay of Islands spreads its stacks across a larger panorama (less iconic, more peaceful). Photography-wise, the Apostles produce vertical-feeling compositions; Bay of Islands produces panoramic, horizontal compositions.
- How many sea stacks are at Bay of Islands?
- About a dozen substantial offshore stacks plus numerous smaller formations. The exact count changes over time as the Southern Ocean continues to erode the cliffs. The viewpoint shows roughly 8–12 distinct stacks depending on tide and angle. The total formation field stretches several kilometres along the coast.
- Are there walking tracks at Bay of Islands?
- Yes — multiple short cliff-top walking trails connect different viewpoints within the coastal park. The full circuit takes 45–60 minutes. The trails are mostly step-free with railings at edge points. There's also Childers Cove, a hidden cove access about 8 km west, requiring a longer walk down to the beach.
- What's the best time to photograph Bay of Islands?
- Late afternoon for warm side light on the stacks. The formation faces roughly south-west, similar to the Twelve Apostles, so the same golden-hour timing applies. Bay of Islands also works well at sunrise — the lookouts face east, giving you direct sunrise light on the seaward face of the stacks. Both windows are far less crowded than the Apostles equivalents.
- Is Bay of Islands accessible?
- Most viewpoints are step-free and accessible from the car park via paved paths. Some of the lower platforms have steps. Childers Cove (a quieter cove access nearby) requires a substantial walk down and is not accessible. The main Bay of Islands viewpoint accommodates wheelchairs and prams.
- How long do you spend at Bay of Islands?
- Allow 30 minutes for the main viewpoints, 45–60 minutes if you walk the full cliff-top circuit. For photographers, 90 minutes lets you experience the colour change at golden hour or blue hour. The full Bay of Islands Coastal Park is large enough to fill a half-day if you have time and interest.