Princetown Wetlands Boardwalk
Princetown Wetlands Boardwalk
4.5
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
14 reviews
Excellent
7
Very good
6
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Sarah Jayne C
3 contributions
Sep 2022 • Couples
The natural environment is stunning. Boardwalk and in particular the bridge are needing safety repairs(the bridge 'wobbles' when walking across it). The gravel path, leading to the boardwalk needs some maintenance work and the long grass and bushland either side of the gravel path could do with being cut back, for safety.
Written 24 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Arkunsana K
Bangkok, Thailand13 contributions
Aug 2022 • Friends
ชอบ สวย สงบ เดินทางง่าย ถ่ายรูปออกมาสวย ชอบสะพานไม้ ชอบน้ำ เป็นอีกหนึ่งทางผ่านเส้น Great ocean road ใครชอบอะไรแบบนี้แนะนำให้แวะ
Written 17 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gregs3071
melbourne7,618 contributions
Jun 2021
I had no idea this wetland boardwalk existed until I stumbled upon it. I'd turned off at Princetown on the off chance that the General Store and Cafe was open and serving sausage rolls or something similar. It wasn't open, and neither was the tavern cum take away food establishment opposite, but there was a lookout and a public toilet nearby so, when opportunity knocked, I answered.
The Princetown Wetlands Boardwalk is relatively easy to find even if it's not well signposted. Princetown is a little village on the Great Ocean Road, between Gibson's Steps and, hmm, well, not much that has landmark status except for Melba Gully and Lavers Hill. (It's actually roughly between Moonlight Head and Gibson's Steps, but Moonlight Head, whose listing I'm still waiting for TA to accept, is, itself, tucked away from view.) Just follow Old Post Office road, which is one of the few roads intersecting The Great Ocean Road, and when you get to the turning bay and the General Store find a place to park and hop out. There's a viewing platform and information plaque just next to the public toilet block near the General Store. From there you can see the boardwalk and the wetlands below.
A gravel path winds from the lookout through a glade of trees down the boardwalk. I startled about half a dozen birds who took to the trees. I could hear some of them as I passed through but I couldn't see them and had no chance of identifying them. Just past the trees the path ends and the wetlands and the boardwalk starts.
There are more plaques at the beginning of the boardwalk. I read about the flora and fauna, and also about the history and pre-history of the area. I walked the boards, listening and watching, and smelling, but listening and watching more. I crossed the little bridge and read the plaque on the other side. The boardwalk continues on but I didn't. I wasn't in a rush, yet the clock was ticking. It was after midday, I hadn't had lunch yet and Gibson's Steps, the 12 Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge and those other world famous Great Ocean Road attractions still lay ahead of me. It had been the Winter Solstice only a couple of days before and I wanted to reach Port Campbell before it got dark.
On the way back across the bridge a took a few moments to examine the plaque mounted on the timber in the middle. The plaque was a ruler that one could use to measure fish, and it indicated the minimum legal length of fish taken, and how to measure them. I don't think all of those fish can be caught from the bridge and I expect the same plaques can be found all over Victoria at popular fishing spots.
I kept my eyes peeled on the way back, and my ears tuned but I didn't see any sign of the wetlands hawk nor hear any sound of frogs. I didn't see any swamp rats either, but I'd seen one the day before at the Aire River West campground and would see another a few days later at the Otway Fly. Right back when I first arrived I did see a bloke and his dog that I'd seen earlier that morning at Castle Cove. I think they were local to the region. He seemed to spend a lot of his time talking on the phone. (Well, to be fair, probably about 8 of the 10 minutes he'd been in my field of view he'd spent on the phone.)
The Princetown Wetlands Boardwalk is relatively easy to find even if it's not well signposted. Princetown is a little village on the Great Ocean Road, between Gibson's Steps and, hmm, well, not much that has landmark status except for Melba Gully and Lavers Hill. (It's actually roughly between Moonlight Head and Gibson's Steps, but Moonlight Head, whose listing I'm still waiting for TA to accept, is, itself, tucked away from view.) Just follow Old Post Office road, which is one of the few roads intersecting The Great Ocean Road, and when you get to the turning bay and the General Store find a place to park and hop out. There's a viewing platform and information plaque just next to the public toilet block near the General Store. From there you can see the boardwalk and the wetlands below.
A gravel path winds from the lookout through a glade of trees down the boardwalk. I startled about half a dozen birds who took to the trees. I could hear some of them as I passed through but I couldn't see them and had no chance of identifying them. Just past the trees the path ends and the wetlands and the boardwalk starts.
There are more plaques at the beginning of the boardwalk. I read about the flora and fauna, and also about the history and pre-history of the area. I walked the boards, listening and watching, and smelling, but listening and watching more. I crossed the little bridge and read the plaque on the other side. The boardwalk continues on but I didn't. I wasn't in a rush, yet the clock was ticking. It was after midday, I hadn't had lunch yet and Gibson's Steps, the 12 Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge and those other world famous Great Ocean Road attractions still lay ahead of me. It had been the Winter Solstice only a couple of days before and I wanted to reach Port Campbell before it got dark.
On the way back across the bridge a took a few moments to examine the plaque mounted on the timber in the middle. The plaque was a ruler that one could use to measure fish, and it indicated the minimum legal length of fish taken, and how to measure them. I don't think all of those fish can be caught from the bridge and I expect the same plaques can be found all over Victoria at popular fishing spots.
I kept my eyes peeled on the way back, and my ears tuned but I didn't see any sign of the wetlands hawk nor hear any sound of frogs. I didn't see any swamp rats either, but I'd seen one the day before at the Aire River West campground and would see another a few days later at the Otway Fly. Right back when I first arrived I did see a bloke and his dog that I'd seen earlier that morning at Castle Cove. I think they were local to the region. He seemed to spend a lot of his time talking on the phone. (Well, to be fair, probably about 8 of the 10 minutes he'd been in my field of view he'd spent on the phone.)
Written 6 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JTr
Highlands Ranch, CO1,128 contributions
Sep 2019
Great place to break up the long drive to the Apostles.
We thought we would see some kangaroos - we didn't, but it is a beautiful natural place to take a short walk.
But, the Tavern in Princetown was not a good place for lunch.
We thought we would see some kangaroos - we didn't, but it is a beautiful natural place to take a short walk.
But, the Tavern in Princetown was not a good place for lunch.
Written 7 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steven W
Sacramento, CA1,329 contributions
Oct 2019
This is an easy and fairly short well-maintained boardwalk through some wetlands. You can sometimes spot wild kangaroos in the distance. We didn't see any, but did see lots of birds. A couple of signs provide information about the area. Worth a short visit to check it out.
Written 1 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KodoDrummer
Buenos Aires, Argentina64,824 contributions
Jul 2019 • Friends
Nice place for a peaceful walk to enjoy the nature, and sounds of wildlife and the wind through the grass, of the wetlands.
Written 6 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ratsaran
Bangkok, Thailand147 contributions
Apr 2019 • Couples
Great place to picnic and camping. I love walking on boardwalks.
Unique and worthwhile to spend time there!!
Unique and worthwhile to spend time there!!
Written 16 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Erik B
Victoria, Canada315 contributions
Feb 2019 • Couples
This is a hidden gem if you are camping or RVing--very understated but the location backs on the Wetlands--follow the road along the river and you will eventually come to the river mouth that is carved through the cliffs--another place worthy of the Great Ocean Road sites--just very few people other than locals.
Written 25 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David N
Brisbane, Australia1,697 contributions
Jan 2019 • Couples
The boardwalk added to our experience of this beautiful part of the australian coastline. Was very windy when we were there but still enjoyable
Written 31 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike B
Cheltenham, UK201 contributions
Oct 2018 • Couples
Well maintained boardwalk from princetown to link with Great Ocean Walk. Views of kangaroos over the other side of the wetland and v atmospheric with mist in early spring morning. Recommend you pack some lunch and continue to 12 apostles on foot is a well maintained path of around 6km to beach steps and 7km to visitor centre.
Written 7 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Claim your listingPRINCETOWN WETLANDS BOARDWALK: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Princetown Wetlands Boardwalk
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Princetown Wetlands Boardwalk:
- Private Great Ocean Road Full Day Tour - 1 Day Tour (From S$508.46)
- LGBTQ+ Friendly 12-Hour Great Ocean Road Private Tour (From S$476.24)
- Private Three Day Great Ocean Road Tour (From S$1,167.83)
- Great Ocean Road Highlights Tour - 2 Days, 1 Night (From S$636.02)
- Great Ocean Road & Phillip Island - 2 Days, 1 Night (From S$1,010.63)
- Hotels near Princetown Wetlands Boardwalk:
- (0.06 km) Princetown Recreation Reserve and Camping Ground
- (0.59 km) Apostles Camping Park & Cabins
- (0.65 km) The 13th Apostle Backpackers
- (0.65 km) 12 Apostles Inn
- (1.20 km) Pebble Point
- Attractions near Princetown Wetlands Boardwalk:
- (6.26 km) 12 Apostles Helicopters
- (6.15 km) Twelve Apostles
- (9.58 km) Loch Ard Gorge
- (15.37 km) Port Campbell National Park
- (12.52 km) London Bridge