Bay of Islands

Overview

Bay of Islands Coastal Park extends west from the township of Peterborough to an area just south of Warrnambool. The cliff line here is lower and interspersed with low dune systems and longer beaches than in Port Campbell National Park. Sheltered crags and bays offer still water options even in stronger winds and offshore stacks are numerous but generally smaller than in the east. Wide beaches are often strewn with seaweed and are largely deserted at most times of the year.

History

Halladale Point is named for the shipwreck of the ‘Falls of Halladale’, which ran onto the reef off the point in 1908. The captain of the Falls of Halladale, confused by sea mist, ran his ship onto a reef while on route from New York to Melbourne.

But Halladale Point has another name - Massacre Point. Rumour has it that Europeans killed a group of the Kirrae-Wurrong Aborigines here by driving them off the cliff. The story continues that the women and children of the group were then killed in the nearby swamp at Massacre Bay. The Aboriginal population of the area droppped from several hundreds in the 1840s to three or four by the 1880s.

Places of interest

Curdies Inlet and bridge
Wild Dog Cove
Halladale Point
Bay of Martyrs
Massacre Bay

Crofts Bay

Bay of Islands
Boat Bay
Antares Rock

3 mile beach
Sandy Cove

Murnanes Bay

Childers Cove

Accommodation

Nearby Peterborough offers a range of comfortable accommodation including a bed and breakfast, cottage and beach houses.

For further information please visit www.visit12apostles.com.au or call 1300 137 255.

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