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Loch Ard Gorge

Nature reserves & national parks ·Port Campbell
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#4Nature reserves & national parks in Australia
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About

Loch Ard Gorge is a limestone cove with a sheltered sandy beach in Port Campbell National Park, Victoria, Australia, near the Twelve Apostles.

More photos 11

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Loch Ard Gorge — Gorge beach beneath towering cliffs, with waves along the shore Jorge Láscar from Melbourne, Australia · CC BY 2.0 · edited
Loch Ard Gorge — Gorge beach beneath towering cliffs, with waves along the shoreLoch Ard Gorge — Enclosed cove beneath curved cliffs, with surf washing inLoch Ard Gorge — Gorge entrance and opposing cliffs seen from aboveLoch Ard Gorge — Waves surging through the narrow opening between cliffsLoch Ard Gorge — Quiet sandy beach framed by the gorge wallsLoch Ard Gorge — Close view of limestone cliffs and waves at their baseLoch Ard Gorge — Blue water below the tall orange gorge cliffsLoch Ard Gorge — Reddish cliffs above a dark opening at the waterlineLoch Ard Gorge — Island Arch offshore, viewed from the coastal cliffsLoch Ard Gorge — Offshore limestone stacks beside the rugged coastlineLoch Ard Gorge — Panoramic view across the gorge and surrounding cliffs

Why go

  • The Loch Ard shipwreck and the rescue of its two survivors, told through plaques and a small museum.

Don't miss

  • Island Archway’s pillars, Tom and EvaThe 25-metre limestone arch collapsed in June 2009, leaving two pillars named for the shipwreck survivors.Offshore, where Island Archway once stood.2009
  • Loch Ard CemeteryShipwreck victims were buried here.Near the gorge.
  • Thunder CaveA nearby coastal feature.Near the gorge.

With kids

  • Use the history plaques to introduce children to the shipwreck story.

Tips for your visit

  • Allow time for the lookouts and short walks around the gorge.
  • Use the rest area for a break.

Best time to visit

  • From October to April, short-tailed shearwaters return to nearby Muttonbird Island at dusk; this is a wildlife-viewing window, not a guaranteed sighting.

Know before you go

  • The beach access stairs are temporarily closed because of geological instability, pending remediation works.

History

In 1878, the Loch Ard wrecked near Muttonbird Island on its three-month voyage from England to Melbourne. He later received a rescue medal.

  1. 1878The clipper Loch Ard wrecked near Muttonbird Island, giving the gorge its name. Thomas Pearce reached shore first, then rescued Eva Carmichael from the water. They were the only two survivors among 54 passengers and crew. Pearce climbed out of the cove to alert dairy farmers at Glenample Station and later received a medal from the Royal Humane Society of Victoria. Carmichael lost seven family members, and many victims were never found.

How to get there

  • CarFollow the Great Ocean Road west from the Twelve Apostles to Loch Ard Gorge on Post Office Road, in Port Campbell National Park.

Accessibility

  • Pathway access A pathway reaches the eastern side of the gorge.

Shorts

Interesting facts3

1/3
  1. 1982

    The gorge featured in the 1982 film The Pirate Movie.

    Loch Ard Gorge - Wikipedia
  2. 1999

    The gorge appeared in the 1999 TV series Journey to the Center of the Earth with Treat Williams.

    Loch Ard Gorge - Wikipedia

  3. The gorge hosted the final task and finish line of the third series of The Amazing Race Australia.

    Loch Ard Gorge - Wikipedia

Sources: Loch Ard Gorge - Wikipedia · Port Campbell National Park - Wikivoyage (see) · Loch Ard Gorge Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks… · Loch Ard Gorge - Wikipedia · Loch Ard Gorge - Wikipedia · checked 28 Sep 2026

Where
Great Ocean Road Port Campbell National Park, Victoria

Plan from here: Evening walk →

Questions and answers

Whose graves are near Loch Ard Gorge?

Nearby graves include those of Reginald Jones, Arthur Mitchell, Raby Carmichael and Rebecca Carmichael.

Where was the Loch Ard sailing from?

It was sailing from England to Melbourne and wrecked near the end of a three-month voyage.

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