The Rip, Strait between Bass Strait and Port Phillip Bay, Victoria, Australia
The Rip is the narrow passage between Point Lonsdale and Point Nepean that connects Bass Strait with Port Phillip Bay. The seabed shifts from deep to shallow water, creating hazardous zones where reef formations reduce the safe passage.
Early European explorers in 1802 documented the dangers of navigating these waters for the first time. Strong currents shaped its reputation as a treacherous passage that required experienced seamanship.
Navigation control through The Rip operates from Point Lonsdale Signal Station, requiring qualified pilots to guide large vessels through the entrance.
Water conditions shift dramatically between high and low tide, creating different flow patterns and movement in the strait. Planning your visit around tidal times gives a better sense of how the passage works and behaves.
A swimmer crossed the passage in under an hour back in 1971, revealing just how close the two headlands actually are. This feat demonstrates the narrow width that makes the strait feel almost within arm's reach from either shore.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
