Loch Ard Gorge
Loch Ard Gorge is a sandy beach cove on the southern Australian coast surrounded by sandstone and limestone cliffs that reach up to 100 feet (30 meters) high. A stairway descends into the gorge to a golden sand beach where rock formations frame the water's edge.
The gorge was named in 1878 when the sailing ship Loch Ard struck rocks in a storm and sank with over 50 people aboard. Only two young survivors, Tom Pearce and Eva Carmichael, were cast ashore and later rescued after finding help in the countryside.
The gorge takes its name from the Loch Ard ship that wrecked here in 1878, and this shipwreck story shapes how people understand the place today. Locals and visitors alike connect the dramatic survival of two young passengers to the wild character of the coast.
Access is from a parking area in Port Campbell with stairs descending to the cove, and several walking paths branch out from the main lookout. The water is cold year-round and waves can be rough, so swimming is safe only on calm days with careful attention to conditions.
Visitors often spend time interpreting rock formations like the Razorback and Island Arch, which resemble different creatures depending on the imagination of each person. These natural sculptures invite playful observation rather than a single fixed interpretation.
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