The Blowhole Lookout – Poombeeyt Koontapool – has officially opened, bringing a breathtaking new way to experience Victoria’s Shipwreck Coast.
There’s a new reason to pull over along the Great Ocean Road – and it’s worth every minute. The brand-new Blowhole Lookout, known by its Keerray Woorroong name Poombeeyt Koontapool (Breath of the Whale), has opened at Loch Ard Gorge inside Port Campbell National Park, offering a dramatic new perspective on one of Victoria’s most spectacular stretches of coastline.
A whale-sized wow moment
Curving seamlessly into the cliffs, the $8 million viewing platform draws inspiration from the mighty southern right whale, whose exhaled ‘breath’ inspired its name. Designed by Denton Corker Marshall in collaboration with the Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation, the sculptural deck mimics the textures and shapes of whale skin and barnacles while framing the churning sea below.
This striking addition is more than a photo stop – it’s a cultural and sensory experience that connects visitors to Country through story, language and design. The lookout sits low and grounded in the landscape, letting the roar of waves and the sting of sea spray take centre stage.
A new view of the Shipwreck Coast
Poombeeyt Koontapool has opened at Loch Ard Gorge. (Image: Parks Victoria)
Replacing an older, eroded lookout, Poombeeyt Koontapool is the final piece of the Shipwreck Coast Master Plan Stage 1, a multi-million-dollar project aimed at making this wild coastline safer and more accessible for visitors.
“This lookout at the Blowhole allows visitors to get up close with nature and will improve the experience for the millions of people who visit each year," said Minister for Major Events, Sport and Tourism Steve Dimopoulos.
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Designed to blend in, not stand out
It’s an unmissable stop on a Great Ocean Road drive. (Image: Parks Victoria)
Instead of dominating the cliffs, the structure hugs them. Its sinuous form and textured finish echo the rhythms of the sea, while the circular viewing area references ancient meeting places. The materials were chosen to weather naturally with the coastal environment, ensuring the lookout feels like it’s always been part of the gorge.
For travellers, it’s an unmissable stop on a road trip of the Great Ocean Road; one that rewards you with both jaw-dropping views and a deeper sense of place. For locals and Traditional Owners, it’s a respectful nod to the stories and spirit of Koontapool, the whale whose breath gives the gorge its life.
Need-to-know
The $8 million viewing platform draws inspiration from the mighty southern right whale. (Image: Parks Victoria)
Where: Loch Ard Gorge, Port Campbell National Park
Access: New walking paths lead safely to the lookout
Cost: Free entry
When to go: Early morning or sunset for the best light (and smallest crowds)
The Great Ocean Road might be famous for its 12 Apostles, but this new whale-inspired platform proves there’s still plenty to blow you away.
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Emily Murphy is Australian Traveller's Email & Social Editor, and in her time at the company she has been instrumental in shaping its social media and email presence, and crafting compelling narratives that inspire others to explore Australia's vast landscapes. Her previous role was a journalist at Prime Creative Media and before that she was freelancing in publishing, content creation and digital marketing. When she's not creating scroll-stopping travel content, Em is a devoted 'bun mum' and enjoys spending her spare time by the sea, reading, binge-watching a good TV show and exploring Sydney's vibrant dining scene. Next on her Aussie travel wish list? Tasmania and The Kimberley.
Get out of the city and close to nature in Victoria’s Heartland, one of Australia’s finest food-producing regions.
This fertile area is abundant in natural beauty, rich volcanic soils, mineral-rich waters, artisan producers and farm fresh produce. In towns spanning the Central Goldfields, Macedon Ranges and surrounds, just a short drive or easy train ride from Melbourne, you can taste a plethora of incredible food and world-class wine in these best of Victoria’s Heartland food regions.
1. Daylesford
Dine on the multi-course fare served at the elegant and light-filled Lake House Restaurant. (Credit: Visit Victoria)
Warm and inviting, fans of Japanese cuisine should make a beeline for Kadota. Settle in for Japanese flavours, in cocktail glasses and on the plate, that have been carefully produced using seasonal local ingredients.
For those who love a farm-to-table moment, Sault is the place to be. Fresh ingredients – directly from the restaurant’s kitchen gardens, or from regional organic farms and producers – are crafted into a delicious seasonal menu by Chef Hat-awarded Head Chef Jack Powlay.
Boasting gorgeous water views from its location on the banks of Lake Daylesford, Boathouse Restaurant is perfect for an elevated dining experience.
For a special treat, a visit to the two-chef-hatted restaurant at the Lake House is a must. Savour beautiful views and a seasonal menu championing small-scale local suppliers and their own farm just 10 minutes away.
2. Hepburn Springs
Tuck into hearty, farm-fresh flavours. (Image: Visit Victoria)
Taking cues from its Swiss-Italian roots and the area’s produce, the picturesque Lavandula Farm houses a seasonal trattoria, rustic wine bar, and a new deli and larder inside the original Shepherd’s Flat Post Office.
For another dining destination immersed in the area’s history, visit The Hepburn Pavilion café at Hepburn Bathhouse. Brunch, lunch, scones and house-made cakes are served under the vaulted ceiling of this Edwardian heritage-listed building.
And while The Surly Goat may have a farm-like ring to it, it’s in fact a homely restaurant that takes seasonality seriously. Chef David Willcocks heads up an ever-changing set menu celebrating local and small-scale regenerative producers.
3. Trentham
Satisfy your sweet cravings with handcrafted treats. (Image: Sisko Chocolate)
No trip to an Aussie regional town is complete without a stop at the pub. Pig & Whistle Hotel sits surrounded by farmland. Soak it in from the locally beloved beer garden. Here, pub classics include a parmigiana with an Irish twist.
For a more refined experienced, dine at du Fermier, where chef and owner Annie Smithers crafts a weekly menu of French farmhouse-style dishes, often sourcing ingredients from her nearby farm in Lyonville.
And if you have a sweet tooth, don’t leave town without a cheeky stop at Sisko Chocolate Studio, where owner Christina Tantsis has built a chocolate-lovers wonderland inside a stunning architectural space. Her handcrafted creations use couverture from Valrhona, a certified B Corporation, and the hot chocolates are positively sinful.
4. Woodend
Taste incredible Japanese cuisine at Kuzu Izakaya.
Taste local drops in town at the family-owned Woodend Cellar and Bar – complemented by tapas and artisan platters featuring sourdough from the local bakery – or at 600 Above, a wine bar with a sunny courtyard and cosy fireplace serving small and large plates.
Nearby, Kuzu Izakaya is the go-to place for Japanese dining. Chef Eriko Pannam has crafted a moreish menu of creative and traditional dishes; think miso cream scallops and everyone’s favourite, Japanese fried chicken.
Mount Macedon Winery is another must-visit for wine connoisseurs. Enjoy a glass and wood-fired pizza on the deck, or opt for fine dining at their Cellar Door Restaurant.
5. Kyneton
Piper Street in Kyneton is overflowing with top-notch eateries. Take Prato, specialising in traditional Greek dishes and pinsa (a lighter, crispier version of traditional pizza); or the upscale Midnight Starling, where chef Steve Rogers serves French classics inside a historic building with bluestone cellar.
A little further down, The Piper Street Wine Company is a European restaurant and wine bar inside a gorgeous heritage building. Their evolving menu highlights one European country or region at a time, so there’s always something new to discover. Further along, Fook Shing delivers a flavour-packed Southeast Asian menu using local and regional Victorian produce.
6. Castlemaine
Discover rich, creamy cheeses crafted by a certified cow’s milk artisan cheesemaker. (Image: Long Paddock Cheese)
Cafes, bars and restaurants have taken up residence inside this former Gold Rush town’s historic buildings. At The Mill Castlemaine – an 1870s woollen mill turned creative hub – you’ll find Long Paddock Cheese, a small-scale artisan cheesemaker that uses certified-organic cow’s milk from a nearby family-owned farm; and Das Kaffeehaus, a Viennese cafe serving traditional Austrian food with coffee from their small batch roastery.
Meanwhile, inside the Midland Hotel you’ll find the chef-hatted Bar Midland, founded by locals Loudon Cooper and Alexander Marano. Their monthly set menu celebrates Victorian producers who focus on sustainable land management, and often utilises indigenous food, introduced wild animals and weeds.
7. Lancefield & Romsey
Savour beautifully plated dishes in a relaxed setting. (Image: Visit Victoria)
Art meets food and wine at Mount Monument, located just outside of Romsey. The beautiful vineyard is home to a sculpture park, cellar door and restaurant with a menu shaped by the Macedon Ranges’ rich seasonal produce.
In town, The 1860 Romsey has reimagined a 160-year-old hotel. Here, country pub charm meets modern bistro, with a menu that supports local at every opportunity (their Central Victorian Oakdale Black Angus steak is a winner).
A few minutes’ drive north, the Lost Watering Hole in Lancefield is a family-friendly brewery and restaurant crafting 100% naturally brewed beers. Their unusual names – No Dodo, Flightless, Big Roo – make sense once you learn Lancefield is the location of one of the richest deposits of megafauna fossils in Australia.
8. Harcourt
Treat yourself to buttery, house-made Danish pastries. (Image: Visit Victoria)
Harcourt is famous for its apple orchards and cider production, and there’s no better place to visit than The Little Red Apple. At this roadside store, you can stock up on fresh crisp apples, ciders, vinegars, juices, and other gourmet products.
To taste more local delights, pop into the Harcourt Produce & General Store, renowned for their house-made danishes, or stop at Sutton Grange Winery where winemaker Chris Smales crafts wines using their organically grown estate fruit. Open on Sundays, it’s an idyllic spot to slow down over wine, pizzas and share plates.
