Eastern View - Coalmine Creek Beach
Coalmine Creek Beach is a beautiful and relatively secluded beach at Eastern View, where Coalmine Creek flows into Bass Strait. Best known as the beach opposite the iconic Great Ocean Road Memorial Arch, it combines a tranquil creek, expansive sandy shoreline and spectacular coastal scenery, making it a rewarding stop for visitors travelling the Great Ocean Road.
The beach offers something for everyone. The shallow waters of Coalmine Creek are often ideal for paddling and exploring, while the wide sandy beach invites visitors to swim, surf, fish, beachcomb or simply enjoy a peaceful walk beside the ocean. Depending on rainfall and sea conditions, the creek may flow directly into the ocean or form a small lagoon behind the beach, creating an ever-changing landscape.
Towering dunes and coastal vegetation frame the beach, providing habitat for native birds and helping preserve this attractive natural environment. Looking east, visitors can enjoy views back towards Fairhaven and Aireys Inlet, while the coastline stretches west towards Big Hill and Lorne. During the annual whale migration from May to October, Humpback and Southern Right Whales are occasionally seen offshore.
A visit to Coalmine Creek Beach pairs perfectly with the nearby Great Ocean Road Memorial Arch, where interpretive signs tell the remarkable story of the returned servicemen who built Australia's most famous coastal road. Many visitors combine a walk on the beach with a stop at the Arch, making this one of the most memorable places to experience both the natural beauty and history of the Great Ocean Road.
There are no toilets or drinking water onsite.
Surf Safety
Coalmine Creek Beach is not patrolled. While the creek is often calm and shallow, the adjoining ocean beach is exposed to Bass Strait and can experience powerful waves, strong rip currents and rapidly changing conditions. Visitors should assess conditions carefully before entering the water, supervise children closely around both the creek and ocean, and avoid swimming alone. Families seeking patrolled beaches should consider nearby Fairhaven Beach or Lorne Beach during the summer season.
Getting There
Follow the Great Ocean Road west from Aireys Inlet for approximately 8 km to Eastern View. Public parking is available beside the Great Ocean Road Memorial Arch. From the car park, leads through the dunes to reach the beach.
Location
Great Ocean Road, Eastern View View Map
