Loch Ard Gorge

The Loch Ard Gorge is part of Port Campbell National Park, Victoria, Australia, about 10 minutes drive west of The Twelve Apostles. It is a visible example of the process of erosion in action.

The gorge is named after the clipper ship Loch Ard, which ran aground on nearby Muttonbird Island on 1 June 1878 approaching the end of a three-month journey from England to Melbourne.

Of the the fifty-one passengers and crew, only two survived: Tom Pearce, a ship's apprentice, and Eva Carmichael, an Irishwoman immigrating with her family, both of whom were 18 years of age. According to memorials at the site, Pearce was washed ashore, and rescued Carmichael from the water after hearing her cries for help. Pearce then proceeded to climb out of the gorge to raise the alarm to local pastoralists who immediately set into plan a rescue attempt.

The gorge is accessed via the Great Ocean Road, only a few kilometres past The Twelve Apostles. Stairs allow visitors access to the beach which is otherwise undeveloped. There are numerous plaques that tell the story as well and a small museum and rest area and a cemetery housing many of the people that were killed.

The uncommon Rufous Bristlebird (Dasyornis broadbenti) is often observed around the Gorge.

This was the location for a number of scenes of the 1982 film The Pirate Movie and also the 1999 TV series Journey to the Center of the Earth with Treat Williams.

The arch of the nearby Island Archway collapsed in June 2009. The feature now appears as two unconnected rock pillars. They have since been officially named Tom and Eva after the two teenage survivors of the Loch Ard shipwreck. [1]

See also

References

External links

Listed in the following categories:
Post a comment
Tips & Hints
Arrange By:
Yarn Lam
26 October 2016
If you don't want to trek down 72 steps and back up, the view from the top is pretty good too.
Steve
26 December 2016
A short drive down the road from the Twelve Apostles heading towards Port Campbell. Worth a stop, and take the short set of steps down to the beach for some photos and fun in the sun and sand.
Venoth
16 October 2016
An amazing place not to be missed and if you're a photographer, go in the mornings when the light would be helpful.
MAC
10 December 2018
Get beautiful photos from 3 spots: the beach, the mid view of the gorge & the ocean view where the salt & pepper shaker rocks are.
Simple Discoveries
19 March 2016
Be sure to read the story of the Loch Ard as you explore this amazing stop on the Great Ocean Road.
Jon Curnow
13 May 2013
There are 3 highlighted paths. If you are short of time the most impressive is down in to the Gorge. It's stunning.
Load more comments
foursquare.com
9.1/10
Christina Png and 63,301 more people have been here
Map
LOT 14 Great Ocean Road, Port Campbell VIC 3269, Australia Get directions
Mon-Sun 24 Hours

Loch Ard Gorge on Foursquare

Loch Ard Gorge on Facebook

Hotels nearby

See all hotels See all
Port O Call Motel

starting $127

Port Campbell Hostel

starting $25

Loch Ard Motor Inn

starting $107

Sea Foam Villas

starting $96

Waves Luxury Suites

starting $121

Port Bayou Cottage

starting $153

Recommended sights nearby

See all See all
Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Island Archway

Der Island Archway (Archway = Brückenbogen) war ein 25 Meter hohes,

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
The Twelve Apostles (Victoria)

The Twelve Apostles is a collection of limestone stacks off the shore

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Gibson Steps

The Gibson Steps are an area of cliffs on the south coast of

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
London Arch

London Arch is a natural arch in the Port Campbell National Park,

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Cape Otway Lighthouse

Cape Otway Lighthouse is a lighthouse on Cape Otway in southern

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Apollo Bay Beach

Apollo Bay Beach is a tourist attraction, one of the Beaches in

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Great Ocean Road

The Great Ocean Road is an Australian National Heritage listed

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Split Point Lighthouse

Split Point Lighthouse is a lighthouse located in Aireys Inlet, a

Similar tourist attractions

See all See all
Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Trolltunga

Trolltunga is a piece of rock that stands horizontally out of the

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
White Cliffs of Dover

The White Cliffs of Dover are cliffs which form part of the British

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Dune of Pilat

The Dune of Pilat (French: Dune du Pilat, official name), also called

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Balanced Rock

Balanced Rock is one of the most popular features of Arches National

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Preikestolen

Preikestolen or Prekestolen, also known by the English translations of

See all similar places