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Port Campbell National Park

Location

PORT CAMPBELL VIC 3269 - Property No L10153

File Number

L10153

Level

National

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L10153 Port Campbell National
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L10153 London Bridge
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L10153 Peterborough Coastline
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L10153 Peterborough Coastline
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L10153 Great Ocean Road
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L10153 Great Ocean Road

Statement of Significance

The significance of the Port Campbell National Park and the Bay of Islands Coastal Park is as follows:

1. Aesthetic Value

The coastline between Childers Cove and Glenample is said to be amongst the most spectacular cliffed coasts in the world. Its aesthetic value derives from the contrasts of the sheer eroding cliffs up to 70 metres high, the undulating to flat remnant heathland atop the cliffs and the distant and near views of the ocean with a strong sense of the sea's continuous energy impacting on the cliffs.

2. Historical Value

The historical interest of this section of the Victorian coastline derives from the significance which it had for the aboriginal population (including as a marine food source), its role in the early white settlement of western Victoria, and the shipwrecks which have occurred along it (giving rise to its title of The Shipwreck Coast).

3. Geological and Geomorphological Value

Port Campbell Limestone is dominated by stratified yellow calcareous sandstones with intervening shales. Geomorphological features of the coast include: eroded cliffs, caves, stacks and arches and the heathland plateau.

4. Flora and Fauna

The vegetation is predominantly windswept heathland interspersed with clumps of Casuarina stricta and stunted Eucalyptus obliqua.

The vegetation includes some interesting and endangered species.

Some of the plants are already on the verge of extinction; others will undoubtedly become rarer as their habitats are affected by closer settlement.

5. Social Value

The Port Campbell Coastline has great educational value for the study of coastal geomorphic processes as well as wildlife and history.

LOCATION:

The Port Campbell National Park and the Bay of Islands Coastal Park comprise approximately 50 kilometres of coastline from Childers Cove in the west to Glenample in the east. The Parks lie between about 240 and 300 kilometres by road from Melbourne.

Port Campbell National Park and the Bay of Islands Coastal Park are bounded by freehold land to the north.

The Twelve Apostles: 2007 National Trust Victorian Heritage Icon Award

Group