4K The Grotto & The Arch Great Ocean Road AUSTRALIA Part 8 オーストラリア
The Grotto is a sinkhole geological formation and tourist attraction, found on the Great Ocean Road outside Port Campbell in Victoria, Australia. Wooden steps wind down the cliff face to the bottom, providing visibility of the sea beyond a pool at low tide.
The Arch should not be confused with the London Arch, which was named after one of its spans fell into the sea in 1990.
The original Arch is an astounding rock formation drilled out of limestone rock by wave action from the Ocean.
It is the first of the major attractions to the west of Port Campbell.
All pictures, sounds, music by: © shiso2012 思想会社 Shiso Productions
The grotto, Port Campbell, Australia
The Grotto, Australia
The Grotto is a sinkhole geological formation and tourist attraction, found on the Great Ocean Road outside Port Campbell in Victoria, Australia.
The Grotto is a sinkhole geological formation. I would say this is the hidden gem of the Great Ocean Road, for it is relatively less well-known compared to other attractions and many people are not even aware of its existence.
Coordinates:
38°37'06.5S 142°54'51.7E
Grotto - Port Campbell/Australia
Grotto - Port Campbell/Australia
Port Campbell - Loch Ard Gorge, Grotto, London Bridge
Port Campbell - Loch Ard Gorge, Grotto, London Bridge
Port Campbell - Great Ocean Road - Australia
Port Campbell - Great Ocean Road - Australia
4K Port Campbell National Park Great Ocean Road AUSTRALIA Part 6 オーストラリア
The Port Campbell National Park was dedicated on 5 May 1964, in order to protect the limestone formations on and near the coastline adjacent to the Great Ocean Road.
The Port Campbell National Park is a national park in the south-western district of Victoria, Australia. The park is located adjacent to the Great Otway National Park and the Bay of Islands Coastal Park.
The Port Campbell National Park features an array of sheer cliffs overlooking offshore islets, rock stacks, gorges, arches, and blow-holes, The Twelve Apostles, the London Arch (formerly London Bridge), Loch Ard Gorge, the Razorback, the Gibson Steps, and many more.
All pictures, sounds, music by: © shiso2012 思想会社 Shiso Productions
The Grotto, Great Ocean Road, Australia
After a long day of driving, most people have run out of steam by the time they reach the Grotto. If there was ever a situation where the statement of saving the best for last was true, this would be it. Among all the rock formations, the Grotto is perhaps the most enchanting. It it not quite a blowhole, not quite an arch, and not quite a cave – but it’s a bit of everything.
The Grotto is a naturally carved out cave which stands up about halfway from sea level up the cliff. The paved pathway leads to a decked staircase that descends into a viewing area that is blocked off by a wall, preventing access further into the Grotto. What lies beyond is an area covered with smooth boulders that leads to rock pools carved out in the worn but jagged edged limestone. The best view of the Grotto is from beyond the wall and looking in.
The Grotto
Now this is the part that is important to know. The barrier that has been built at the viewing area at the Grotto is the area that is considered safe. Now while I know of several people and myself who have jumped the wall to get closer to the edge, be aware that there are some severe risks involved. Before getting anywhere close the the rock pools, one has to cross a layer of very smooth rocks which are very each to slip on. While these can be negotiated with care, there is a risk of falling and hurting yourself pretty badly.
Once you get beyond the rocks, the rock pools pose another challenge. The rocks are jagged and sharp, and are also coated with a very slippery layer of soil. This is especially so when it is wet (which is most of the time). While negotiating the sharp and slippery rock surface, be careful not to fall into the rock pools. They are filled with very sharp rocks, and a wrong step can lead to disaster. Last, but not least, I recommend not going further beyond the wall without someone accompanying you.
Best times to visit
The location is open all year round. The weather in the area constantly changes. Hence, while the best time to shoot here may be at sunset or sunrise, the reality is that one will probably make the best of the conditions that present themselves at this location. Partially cloudy days offer some of the best conditions to shoot, as do days when the ocean is not too rough. Summer is perhaps the best time to visit this particular spot.
Prework
With the weather in this area being as changeable as it is, check the forecast, and allow yourself some extra time in case you get caught in a passing shower (most of which last about 15 to 30 minutes).
Gear Required
The effect of sea spray in this location is far less than some of the other more exposed areas. Nonetheless, I recommend that you carry a towel and some microfiber cloth to keep your lenses clean. It is probably desirable to have a tripod with you here, especially if you are planning on jumping the wall.
The winds in the area get very rough.
You definitely need a wide angle lens here – something under 20mm, or even better yet, a fish-eye lens.
Because this location is so closed in, the best time to visit is in the early mornings or late evenings. In either case, be sure to carry a flashlight with you.
While the paved pathway remains a good surface in all conditions, the wooden staircase can become slippery when wet. Always dress in layers. The weather and temperature here constantly changes, and its very easy to suffer from exposure to the elements. In the summer, it is imperative that you have sunscreen on you. Your choice of footwear is important. I recommend comfortable walking shoes (not runners).
Vehicular Access: Sealed highway access to the parking lot.
Pedestrian Access: Firm gravel pathway leading to a wooden decked staircase.
Fitness levels required: Suitable for any reasonably fit individual. Not suitable for individuals with mobility restrictions.
Walk Difficulty: Easy
Amount of time required at the site: About half an hour.
Price of Admission: Free
Access hours: 24 hours a day
Notes of caution: The deck is slippery when wet. There are snakes in the area. Proceed with caution. The cliffs in the area are unstable. It is highly recommended that one stays on the marked paths only.
Recommendations: The volume of tourists in this area peaks around 3p.m. when the tour buses from Melbourne arrive.
The grotto along the great ocean road in Melbourne
Port Campbell National Park Great Ocean Road Vic Australia
The Grotto - Port Campbell National Park - Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia - Check out the view down the bottom 5 minutes into the video. What a spot! Put it on your must see list next time you visit.
4K Port Campbell National Park II, Great Ocean Road AUSTRALIA Part 10 オーストラリア
The Port Campbell National Park is a national park in the south-western district of Victoria, Australia. The park is located adjacent to the Great Otway National Park and the Bay of Islands Coastal Park.
The Port Campbell National Park features an array of sheer cliffs overlooking offshore islets, rock stacks, gorges, arches, The Twelve Apostles and many more.
All pictures, sounds, music by: © shiso2012 思想会社 Shiso Productions
The Grotto-Great Ocean Road, Victoria Australia
The Grotto is one of the breathtaking scenery of the Great Ocean Road Trip.
The Grotto- Great Ocean Road, Victoria Australia
Let me take you down stairs and show you the close up look of The Grotto- one of the breathtaking views of the Great Ocean Road trip.
The Arch at Port Campbell, Great Ocean Road, Australia
Aerial footage of the Arch near the 12 Apostles, along the Great Ocean Road, southern Australia
The Arch, Great Ocean Road, Port Campbell National Park
See this natural rock formation formed through erosion, at its best during rough seas when the waves crash in and around the arch. Take in an excellent view back towards the 12 Apostles.
6 kilometres west of Port Campbell
The Arch should not be confused with the London Arch, which was named after one of its spans fell into the sea in 1990.
The original Arch is an astounding rock formation drilled out of limestone rock by wave action from the Great Southern Ocean.
It is the first of the major attractions to the west of Port Campbell.
It only takes a couple of minutes to walk down the sealed path to the viewing platforms and you'll be glad you did.
The first 50m of the path is level but the last 100m descends steeply.
The main viewing platform is okay for wheelchair manouevrability, but the lower, smaller one isn't.
- Richard Moore
Great Ocean Road Tour
A wonderful coastal scenery from Lorne, Apollo Bay and Port Campbell. Breathtaking view of rock formations such as Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge and Razorback.
Parkview Motel / The Arch / London Arch / The Grotto / Karoa Restaurant (Great Ocean Road)
Day 3, Part 4 of our trip to Melbourne.
Date: 15 Dec 2015.
Starring: Clement, Jenna & family.
Video by: Clement Liew.
Watch Day 3 Part 2 (Maits Rest Rainforest Walk & Alpacas at Lavers Hill) -
Watch Day 3 Part 1 (Wild Koala Bear Encounter, Stacking rocks at Carisbrook Creek & Scenic Great Ocean Road Drive) -
Watch Day 3 Part 3 (Gibson Steps//12 Apostles//Thunder Cave//Razorback//Loch Ard Gorge) -
The Grotto just outside Melbourne Australia
Grotto near Port Campbell
via YouTube Capture
Great Ocean Road & 12 Apostles, Vicitoria, Australia
The 12 Apostles consists of a group of limestone stacks off shore of Port Campbell National Park, by the Great Ocean Road in Victoria, Australia. The Grotto, Razorback, Gibson Steps to name a few. A 243 km stretch of road between Torquay & Allansford Vic. the GOR is Aust. National Heritage listed.