What's the best place to stay in Princetown?

Macka's Farm Holiday Park for self-contained cabin stays (the most polished option in town). Princetown Recreation Reserve for budget camping. Small B&Bs and cottage rentals on Old Coach Road. Total accommodation across all options is roughly 50-80 rooms — book ahead in summer.

How much does Princetown accommodation cost?

Camping at the Recreation Reserve: AU$15-30/night. Caravan park sites: AU$45-80/night. Cabins from AU$170/night. B&Bs and cottages: AU$200-350/night. Typically cheaper than Port Campbell or Apollo Bay due to smaller pool and less competitive market.

When should I book Princetown accommodation?

Limited supply means peak season (December-January, Easter) books 6+ months ahead. Off-peak weekdays you can usually find something within 2-3 weeks. The Princetown Recreation Reserve fills quickly during summer school holidays.

Can you camp in Princetown?

Yes — Princetown Recreation Reserve offers free or low-cost camping with basic facilities (toilets, water, picnic areas). Macka's Farm Holiday Park has powered sites. The cheapest accommodation option for travellers wanting to be close to the Twelve Apostles.

Is Princetown or Port Campbell better for staying near the Twelve Apostles?

Princetown is closer (10 km vs 12 km), but Port Campbell has more accommodation, restaurants, and amenities. For sunrise photographers and Great Ocean Walk hikers, Princetown's slight proximity edge matters. For most travellers, Port Campbell is the better trade-off — closer in time once you factor in food, shops, and other services.

Are there pet-friendly stays in Princetown?

Yes — Macka's Farm Holiday Park has dog-friendly options. Princetown Recreation Reserve allows leashed dogs. Some private cottage rentals accept pets. The town's small size and farm-adjacent setting make pet travel relatively easy.

Is it worth driving from Apollo Bay rather than staying in Princetown?

For one-night stops focused on the Twelve Apostles — Princetown saves you 90 minutes of driving compared to Apollo Bay (each way). For multi-night Great Ocean Road trips, Apollo Bay's wider amenities make it the better base. Princetown is a strategic single-night choice, not a multi-night base.

Princetown village and Gellibrand River near the Twelve Apostles

Princetown accommodation

Where to stay in Princetown

The closest accommodation to the Twelve Apostles. Tiny pool, character-driven options — caravan park cabins, the recreation reserve campground, and a handful of B&Bs.

Twelve Apostles Princetown overview

The strategic answer

Closest to the Apostles, smallest accommodation pool

Princetown's accommodation pool is genuinely small — roughly 50-80 rooms across all options. The town has no resort hotel, no premium boutique stays, and no sprawling caravan park. What it has is the absolute closest accommodation to the Twelve Apostles (10 km / 10 minutes), making it the strategic stop for travellers prioritising proximity over amenities.

For most travellers, Port Campbell (12 km west of the Apostles) is the better trade-off — closer to restaurants, shops, and a wider accommodation pool. Princetown earns its niche for sunrise photographers, Great Ocean Walk hikers, and budget travellers who want the cheapest possible stay near the Apostles.

Where to stay

Best option

Macka's Farm Holiday Park

Cabins + powered sites

Caravan park with self-contained cabins ranging from basic to family-deluxe. Rural farm setting, on-site amenities, walking distance to the Princetown General Store. Best mid-range option in town.

Sites AU$50-90, cabins from AU$170.

Princetown Recreation Reserve

Free / low-cost camping

Free or near-free camping with basic facilities (toilets, water, picnic areas). Self-sufficient travellers only. Closest cheap accommodation to the Twelve Apostles.

Free / by donation.

Princetown B&Bs

Small cottages

A handful of B&Bs and small cottage rentals on Old Coach Road. Limited inventory; book well ahead. Suits couples wanting more privacy than the caravan park.

From AU$220/night.

Port Campbell backup

12 minutes west

Wider accommodation pool, proper restaurants, more amenities. Most travellers find Port Campbell the better trade-off. Port Campbell accommodation.

Frequently asked

Princetown accommodation FAQs

What's the best place to stay in Princetown?: Macka's Farm Holiday Park for self-contained cabin stays (the most polished option in town). Princetown Recreation Reserve for budget camping. Small B&Bs and cottage rentals on Old Coach Road. Total accommodation across all options is roughly 50-80 rooms — book ahead in summer.
How much does Princetown accommodation cost?: Camping at the Recreation Reserve: AU$15-30/night. Caravan park sites: AU$45-80/night. Cabins from AU$170/night. B&Bs and cottages: AU$200-350/night. Typically cheaper than Port Campbell or Apollo Bay due to smaller pool and less competitive market.
When should I book Princetown accommodation?: Limited supply means peak season (December-January, Easter) books 6+ months ahead. Off-peak weekdays you can usually find something within 2-3 weeks. The Princetown Recreation Reserve fills quickly during summer school holidays.
Can you camp in Princetown?: Yes — Princetown Recreation Reserve offers free or low-cost camping with basic facilities (toilets, water, picnic areas). Macka's Farm Holiday Park has powered sites. The cheapest accommodation option for travellers wanting to be close to the Twelve Apostles.
Is Princetown or Port Campbell better for staying near the Twelve Apostles?: Princetown is closer (10 km vs 12 km), but Port Campbell has more accommodation, restaurants, and amenities. For sunrise photographers and Great Ocean Walk hikers, Princetown's slight proximity edge matters. For most travellers, Port Campbell is the better trade-off — closer in time once you factor in food, shops, and other services.
Are there pet-friendly stays in Princetown?: Yes — Macka's Farm Holiday Park has dog-friendly options. Princetown Recreation Reserve allows leashed dogs. Some private cottage rentals accept pets. The town's small size and farm-adjacent setting make pet travel relatively easy.
Is it worth driving from Apollo Bay rather than staying in Princetown?: For one-night stops focused on the Twelve Apostles — Princetown saves you 90 minutes of driving compared to Apollo Bay (each way). For multi-night Great Ocean Road trips, Apollo Bay's wider amenities make it the better base. Princetown is a strategic single-night choice, not a multi-night base.

Sleep closer to the Apostles than Port Campbell

Twelve Apostles guide → Princetown overview