petrified forest and blowholes

The coastal scenery of the blowhole, 'petrified forest' and the easy return walk to The Springs is a stunning landscape formed by volcanic eruptions and eons of erosion (unfortunately hastened by the introduction of the rabbit to the Portland area by the Henty's). As you look beyond the ravaged headlands you see the spectacular sweep of the beaches of Discovery Bay National Park and Mt. Richmond NP. The walking tracks are clearly marked, highlights have excellent explanatory signage and the walking is very easy. The visual impact of Pacific Hydro's wind turbines on this section of The Great South West Walk track cannot possibly be overlooked. These huge turbines stand as testimony to poor decision making by Mary Delahuntly the Victorian Planning Minister at the time and Pacific Hydro. The turbines dominate the scenery and it is difficult to photograph the 'Petrified Forest' without including the turbines in the picture. They stand as testimony to inexplicably bad placement...a few hundred metres back from their current position and the visual impact would have been substantially reduced with little reduction in wind 'pick up'. At the very least these turbines show how a fantastic alternate energy generater when placed in 'the wrong' position can alienate the general public. The placement does, however, allow you to assess blade noise for yourself..... These short walks are still worth doing - especially when you look either seaward or to the west but be aware that the 'wilderness aspect' of the coastline has been greatly impacted by the wind turbines.

The "Petrified Forest" is actually limestone that looks like a petrified forest. Interesting, but not quite accurate.The walks from the carpark are easy but open to the elements, I imagine on a windy day it would be unbearable.The sea was calm when I visited so the blowhole wasn't blowing.The most interesting thing around here was the wind turbines. Worth a look if you're nearby but don't make a special trip.

Great to be able to see these very odd shapes in the rock, which were in good condition. Great photo opportunity especially in the evening sun.

The landscape around the petrified forest made us feel like we were on another planet. Its a very short and enjoyable walk from the carpark to both the blowhole and the petrified forest. You could easily stay and watch the crashing waves for ages.There is a path leading off to continue the walk down the coast to see the seals, although it is 5.5km. A friend who recommended this place also recommended taking a stick to tap in front of you to warn off snakes which might be on the path.Its also a good spot to look for whales, although we did not see any. Bring some type of shade if you are staying longer, it can feel very hot here during the summer.

If you want to see the sea in its mightiest, then pick a cold and rough day when the sea comes roaring in and crashes against the black basalt rocks and then carries on into the sea cave where an almighty burst of spray comes out and careers up over the cliff toward the car park some 200 metres away. The constant roar of the sea combined with the white wash is mesmerising. A good platform has been erected for viewing and also has some information on the whales that are often in the area. Coming back from the sea, if you detour along the cliff front's pathway, it will take you around to the petrified forest. Once more you will be amazed at the might of the seas and the sand that virtually turned these tree trunks into stone . A great day out when the weather is too poor for the beach.

Spectacular scenery and formations..easy walk on the paths. Fabulous spot for photography. Disliked that there were no toilet facilities or picnic tables

The limestone formations are fascinating but not a petrified forest. The sea was calm when we were there so the blowhole wasn't doing anything. I'd imagine you would need quite a large swell to get he waves pounding in to have it blowing. The walk from the car park is easy but open to the elements all the way so dress according to the weather - hat sunscreen jacket etc and don't forget the camera.

The blowhole was great can imagine how fantastic it would be on a rough day. The walk down is not far and it is stunning and great for photo taking (if you are quick)

born and raised in nearby (20min drive) Portland, it is now a delight to bring our children 'home' and out to this beautiful area: the blowholes. To stand on the edge of mainland Australia in all her ruggedness is such a delight. We were blessed with a clear, sunny day, but it's just as majestic when it's blowing a gale (more often than not). Worth the drive out people! Easy parking and gentle walking-great for all ages.

We were really keen to visit this site having been to a fabulous petrified forest in NZ. However we were really surprised when we walked to the site that it is not a petrified forest but rather limestone erosion that has formed trunk-like formations that are reminiscent of trees without ever having been a tree! The site is amazing but just not what we were expecting. The access is flat and easily accessible for buggies and wheelchairs. Very exposed on coast so sunscreen and hats a must.We had obviously not picked up from the tourist literature that this was not a forest as such but a limestone formation.The walk to the blowholes is part of the same limestone formation. Waiting for some time you could see the vortex formed by the sea sucking into the same sort of formation as the petrified forest. No dramatic blow hole spurts while we were there though.

Like much of this coastline, the great features are just hanging on the edge farmland or wind-turbines, so the 'naturalness' of the area is severely compromised I'm afraid to say. Worth a look though.

Definitely an interesting place if you happen to be around this area. Just a short walk from the car park. Makes for an interesting photo with modern wind turbines in the background. Just a shame some don't obey the signage and not climb on the tubes

This place is amazing, and if you didn't know you were just down the road from Portland, you would think you were in Mars. The structures are different shapes and size, they aren't huge but pretty impressive nonetheless. For the real experienced photographer would take some amazing photos. In the background there are the wind turbines, so a definite contrast. The blow holes are only a short walk from the Petrified Forest - just make sure that the waves are up to get the blow hole effects.

Brochures on this feature are a bit misleading - they show the petrified forest and it looks like that - a forest! Unfortunately when you get there they are about four feet high and there's only a few yards of them. Still, the formations are well worth visiting and they're certainly interesting - just don't expect too much.

The Petrified Forest walk is a stark contrast to the Cape Bridgewater walk. The barren landscape, with its limestone structures and backdrop of giant Wind machines, would make an ideal setting for a science fiction movie. Watching the waves crashing into the blowhole rocks was mesmerising and made for some great photos