After gawking at the magnificent 12 Apostles, take the short walk along the coastline to the wonderful Gibson Steps.
Breathe in the fresh crisp air from atop the limestone cliffs before wandering your way down the 86 Gibson Steps to the beach and feel the spray of the sea on your face.
Be amazed at your incredible natural surroundings and feel ant-sized next to the magnificent Gog and Magog limestone stacks. The steps are carved directly into the landscape and lead directly to the beach. Today the steps feature modern safety equipment to ensure visitors remain safe.
The original steps were carved by the local Kirrae Whurrong people, who used them as a route to the beach. Following the invasion, however, a local settler, Hugh Gibson, maintained the steps and opened them for others to use. They were popularly used by seafarers and fishermen who needed to access the beach for work.
Though credited with maintaining the steps, Gibson has one other claim to fame in the Great Ocean Road’s history. He was kind enough to host the only survivors of the Loch Ard wreck, Eva Carmichael and Tom Pearce. His homestead was nearby to the steps and the two regained their strength in his home before moving on.
Though the beach is not good for swimming due to reefs and rocks, however, it does make for great fishing. If you’ve made your way here with some fishing gear get ready to bring hope a great haul of fish for dinner. Just be prepared to carry it all back up the stairs. The view won’t have a chance to steal your breath because the stairs already will have!
There are certain areas along the beach that are safe and legal to fish in so be sure to do your research and carefully watch the tide. The beach here is open to the full wrath of the Southern Ocean and tides can change in an instant.
If you’re not one for fishing, then spend the afternoon carefully strolling along this stunning beach. The blue turquoise waters crash against the mammoth-sized limestone stacks, creating islands of seafoam and slowly changing the landscape in front of you. Looking out over some of these reefs you might be lucky enough to see schools of fish darting around just below the water’s surface. If you’re lucky enough to get to the steps for a sunset you won’t regret it. The pink sky lights up the limestone, leaving it glowing bright orange, reflecting off the harsh waters below. It’s one of the best.
One of the best ways to get to the Gibson Steps is to walk along the one-kilometre track from the 12 Apostles. The track winds across the rugged terrain the Great Ocean Road is so famous for. Walk across the tops of cliffs, winding through wildflowers and hearing the calls of native birds. As you approach the steps you’ll see the stunning Gog and Magog, two stacks equally as impressive as the Apostles you’ve just left.
The Great Ocean Road is a wonderful place, with a new beauty around every twist and turn. The Gibson Steps are a great addition to any trip down this beautiful stretch of Australia.
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