Australia is full of unique wildlife, and the coastal areas are no exception. Cape Bridgewater is home to the largest mainland seal colony in Australia, which you can see by hiking out along the coast or on a boat tour. There isn’t much information online about this spot, as lots of people don’t choose to detour off the Great Ocean Road between Mount Gambier in South Australia and Portland in Victoria. But this is a beautiful and relaxed place to visit on the coast – here’s my guide for this coastal hike!
Starting the Cape Bridgewater Hike
The best and most convenient starting point for this walk is from the car park at the top of the hill in Cape Bridgewater. It’s listed on GoogleMaps as Seal Colony Car Park, I recommend saving this pin for later! You can also start from any of the car parks on the beach – I did this, and it only added on an extra 10 minutes or so.
Hiking to the Seal Colony in Cape Bridgewater
The hike is approximately 7.3km, and will take 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on your pace – and how long you spend observing the seals, of course! There is an overall elevation gain of 269 meters (882ft) for this hike. Most of the path is in good condition, but there are several steep sections. I recommend sturdy footwear, and be sure to pack plenty of snacks, water, and sunscreen for the walk.
The coastal hike in Cape Bridgewater is an undulating path. You’re going up and down regularly, with a few steep sections to navigate. It’s an out-and-back trail, so you return the same way you came. After about 25 minutes of walking (from the beach car park), I reached the halfway bench. It took me 40 minutes from leaving the beach at the start to get to the first lookout over the seal colony.
I loved getting to see the seals here! There were so many of them, just chilling on the rocks and making loads of noise. I took so many photos! This was my favorite viewpoint of the two, so I spent a good amount of time observing the seals here.
The second viewpoint is about 5-6 minutes’ walk from the first viewpoint, with impressive views of the coastline. It was quite windy on the day I visited, so the waves crashing against the rocks felt extra dramatic!
The return follows the same trail back to whichever car park you parked at. You’ll have some spectacular views of Cape Bridgewater and the long stretch of beautiful sandy beach. All in all, I spent 1 hour and 40 minutes on the Cape Bridgewater seal walk. I hiked at a pretty quick pace, but also spent a bit of time relaxing and watching the seals.
If you’re interested in seeing the seals from a closer perspective, Seals By Sea Tours operate 45-minute cruises to see the colony. Prices are $50 for adults, and you’ll need to walk about 15 minutes along the coast to get to the jetty. Be sure to book in advance.
Where to Stay in Cape Bridgewater
I didn’t stay in Cape Bridgewater overnight, as I needed to drive a bit further for my Great Ocean Road itinerary. After having a wonderful free hot shower in Portland, I camped at Sawpit Free Campground. This was a fantastic free camp, with basic drop toilets. It did fill up as time went on, and most sites were full by the time it got dark.
Cape Bridgewater Coastal Camp has a variety of cabins and powered/unpowered campsites, but I’m unsure whether they’re open for the 2024 season yet. Other options nearby include:
St. Peter’s Accommodation Cape Bridgewater – a one-bedroom house, sleeping four, in a restored church full of character
Bushland Retreat – a quiet and cozy one-bedroom holiday home, with all the amenities you might need
Cape Nelson Cottage – a two-bedroom apartment close to Portland, with a stunning garden
NRMA Portland Bay Holiday Park – best for caravans and campers needing facilities, with an unbeatable location right on the beach in Portland
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I loved getting to see the seal colony in Cape Bridgewater. It was my first stop after crossing the border into Victoria, and the beauty of the coastline and beach blew me away! If you’re planning a road trip in southwest Victoria, or are traveling the Great Ocean Road, be sure to stop in Cape Bridgewater. I hope this guide helps planning your Cape Bridgewater seal colony hike!
Have you visited the seal colony at Cape Bridgewater? Share your experiences in the comments!
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