Update 11/28/2025: Boaters and fishers who use the Bay of Islands boat ramp to reach some of the region’s prime waters will be pleased to hear that long-awaited repairs are finally moving ahead.

Funded through boating licence and registration fees, a $17,000 Recreational Boating Grant has been provided to the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority to carry out improvements at the site. The project includes replacing the cracked and damaged concrete at the lower end of the ramp, enhancing safety and helping extend the ramp’s overall lifespan.

The Bay of Islands ramp sits on Peterborough and around 15 minutes from Port Campbell. The Bay of Islands Boat Ramp, found along the Great Ocean Road in Peterborough, Victoria, is often regarded as one of the steepest and longest ramps in Australia. It serves as an important launching point for local fishers heading out into the Bay of Islands, and its elevated position provides impressive coastal views. Many experienced anglers say that King George whiting and snapper are commonly caught in the area, especially around reef edges and the sandy gaps between seaweed beds.

Accessing the boat ramp, however, requires a lot of consideration. The ramp is quite steep, and a four-wheel drive vehicle and an experienced driver are recommended for launching boats. For anyone who wants to use the ramp, there are steps alongside it, though they may be too steep for prams and wheelchairs.

A large car park provides plenty of space for cars and boat trailers.

The beach environment itself is usually calm for swimming, though visitors should keep an eye out for boats. It’s not a surfing spot, and most fishing is done by those heading out by boat, although the deeper water along the bluffs can also be productive.

The Bay of Islands itself is a wide, irregular, semi-circular bay that faces south-west and features large sea stacks, scattered reefs, and rugged limestone formations. Most of the shoreline is made up of 10–20 metre limestone bluffs, but the eastern corner, right beside a bend in the Great Ocean Road, opens into a gorge with a 70-metre beach. This narrow beach, accessed by the steep ramp and a set of steps from the bluffs, is where boats are launched. The water drops off quickly, particularly at high tide, and the outer reefs help filter incoming swell, leaving the beach generally calm.

While the beach is easy to reach, it’s best left for boat users when the area becomes busy. Boat Bay is a peaceful place that appeals to visitors looking for a quieter stop along the Great Ocean Road. Its sheltered setting attracts anglers and photographers alike, offering striking views of offshore stacks and untouched coastline.

The Bay of Islands Coastal Park offers beautiful scenery with fewer visitors compared to nearby spots like Port Campbell and the Twelve Apostles. Many Victorians enjoy Peterborough as a quiet summer getaway because of its laid-back vibe and small, unpatrolled beaches, which are also good for kayaking. Visitors should be careful, as these beaches are not monitored, and some areas are home to vulnerable wildlife like Hooded Plovers.

Whether anyone is heading out for rock lobster, gummy shark, or tuna, the Bay of Islands ramp remains a well-known launch point for fishers, divers, and coastal explorers.