Getting to Know The Grotto on the Great Ocean Road

Peterborough, Victoria 3270

The Great Ocean Road is one of Australia’s top attractions, drawing in millions of visitors each year who are on the hunt for natural phenomena and incredible, wild views.

All along this stretch of coastline, there are tiny pockets of isolated beaches, amazing sights, and a collection of wonderful landmarks to stop off and marvel at along the way.

While the main attractions include the Twelve Apostles and the century-old shipwreck, there is an often overlooked attraction that sits at the end of the route. The Grotto is essentially a sinkhole, where the limestone cliffs fells away to meet the receding cliff line.

Walking down to the Grotto

Located 9km west of Port Campbell, this incredibly surreal sight is well worth a visit if you’re in the area. A lot of people find themselves waning when they reach the Grotto, having seen a huge collection of Australia’s natural landmarks in the lead up to it. But the Great Ocean Road might just have saved the best until last.

The Grotto is perhaps the most enchanting of all the rock formations in this part of Australia. Part-blowhole, part-archway, part-cave, it offers a peaceful place to enjoy the sea views and soak in the wonderful things nature is capable of.

Standing about halfway up the cliff from the sea level, the geological formation is reachable via a decked staircase that leads down from the viewing platform at the top. You can either view the wonder from above, or head down and explore it at eye-level.

Inside, the Grotto is filled with smooth boulders and serene rock pools that have been carved out of the limestone. For the best view, look into the Grotto from the lower viewing platform, where you can see the horizon, the pools, and the jutting rock formations in one go.

The Best Time to Visit The Grotto

Though the location is open all year round, there are some weather conditions that are better for viewing The Grotto in than others. The temperatures and weather in the area change constantly and, on some occasions, going down to explore The Grotto at eye-level can be dangerous, particularly if it’s windy and the tide is high.

For ideal conditions, head to The Grotto at sunset or sunrise, where you can catch a glimpse of the warm Australian sun through the archway of the rock formation, where it reflects gold and pink off the smooth rock pools inside. Summer is the best time to visit for prime weather conditions, but the landmark remains an incredible must-see throughout the year.