Princetown: Coast, River and Wetlands

Princetown is defined by wetlands, a river and a distinctive coastal landscape. The Princetown Wetlands and the mouth of the Gellibrand River bring water and birdlife into focus; at Princetown Beach, dunes, rugged headlands and small coves shape the scenery. The Great Ocean Walk also passes through the area, following a long route between Apollo Bay and the Twelve Apostles. When choosing your accommodation, it’s worth first considering whether your trip will focus mainly on coastal exploration, river and wetland scenery, or a multi-day hike.

Wetlands and River Landscape

The lower areas of the Princetown Wetlands are nationally recognised in the Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia (EA 2002). These wetlands can support large numbers of waterbirds. The Gellibrand River flows past Princetown and reaches the sea below Point Ronald. At its mouth, it widens into a bird-rich wetland, connected to and accessible from the hilltop settlement of Princetown by a riverside boardwalk. The wetlands and the river’s transition into the sea are both part of the area’s natural landscape. The boardwalk links this landscape with a specific route along the water.

Coast and Waterside Experiences

Princetown Beach stretches 800 metres east of Point Ronald, where it gives way to dunes, rugged headlands and small coves. A 600-metre walking track along the banks of the Gellibrand River leads to the beach. It lies within the Twelve Apostles Marine National Park. Recreational fishing is permitted in an exclusion zone east of the headland at Princetown towards Rivernook Beach. Along the coast, beaches and coves take centre stage, while at the river, the estuary, wetlands and boardwalk shape the scenery. These different natural features give your trip two distinct focuses, without treating the beach and riverbanks as the same experience.

Great Ocean Walk: The Longer Hike

The Great Ocean Walk is more than 100 kilometres long and runs from Apollo Bay to the Twelve Apostles. Near Princetown, the route crosses the Gellibrand River on a truss bridge. The Princetown–Clifton Beach Loop is also designated as a Great Ocean Walk route. The full walk typically takes eight days. This requires a different level of planning from a stay focused on the wetlands or coast near Princetown. If you’re planning the full hike, also note the route’s overnight stay requirement: its campsites are small and must be booked before setting out. A quick look at this distinction can help you choose accommodation to suit your planned itinerary.

Planning Camping and Accommodation

Princetown Recreation Reserve offers powered and unpowered sites. Facilities listed include a camp kitchen, sheltered barbecue areas, hot showers, a playground, a tennis court and a laundry. So, as well as the small campsites along the Great Ocean Walk, Princetown offers specific camping options with different facilities to consider when planning where to stay. Check the latest information about facilities before your trip and confirm site availability. This will help you decide whether to plan for the campsites on the longer hiking route or opt for the sites and facilities at the Recreation Reserve. The landscapes around Princetown remain the starting point: the coast, river mouth and wetlands each offer different reasons to consider the area as a destination.

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See the main travel overview: Victoria.