Shipwrecks and Stunning Views: A Guide to the Loch Ard Gorge, Great Ocean Road
Just a few minutes from the famous Twelve Apostles, beautiful Loch Ard Gorge is one of the best places to visit on the Great Ocean Road, captivating visitors with stunning views and tales of shipwrecks from long ago.
If you visit the Great Ocean Road on a glorious summer’s day, you’ll be greeted by some of the most picturesque scenery that Australia has to offer.
Turquoise waves foam against Ochre-hued cliffs, while vast and imposing cliffs give way to pretty coves and golden sand beaches - these rocky landscapes standing firm against the wild southern ocean truly are a sight to behold.
Nowhere is this beauty more obvious than at the Loch Ard Gorge, a dramatic tear-shaped chasm in the landscape that beckons visitors with epic views of crumbling cliffs that almost encase the pretty beach below. It’s one of the few places along the Great Ocean Road that can also be accessed from the beach, where the power of the coastline can really be felt.
Beyond its wild beauty though, the gorge was also the setting of an equally dramatic tale of shipwreck and survival that played out on its shores in the late 19th century, one that still captivates visitors today - even these two Aussie born and bred travellers who have visited plenty of times!
If you’re planning a trip to the Loch Ard Gorge (which you should be), this guide contains everything you need to know, from what to do there, how to get there, all the best lookout spots, and plenty more!
THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO LOCH ARD GORGE
WHERE IS LOCH ARD GORGE
The Loch Ard Gorge is just off the Great Ocean Road and forms part of the Port Campbell National Park in regional Victoria.
It’s just a few minute’s drive down from the Twelve Apostles and can be easily accessed on foot from the Loch Ard Gorge car park.
THE SHIPWRECK THAT GAVE THE LOCH ARD GORGE ITS NAME | LOCH ARD GORGE HISTORY
There’s plenty of evidence to suggest that in pre-European times, the whole stretch of Great Ocean Road coastline, including Loch Ard Gorge area was frequented by the local Gadubanud Aboriginal people, who would have been rewarded with its rich supply of game and seafood and fertile lands.
During the early years of European settlement in Victoria, small isolated settlements popped up along this stretch of coastline where whalers, farmers, and loggers all began to build their enterprises. But it was one particularly tragic event at Loch Ard Gorge in the late 19th century, that would ensure the Gorge would live on in infamy in Australia for evermore.
The real-life story of Eva Carmichael and Tom Pearce had all the makings of an epic Hollywood love tale: a wealthy teenage girl and her family from the Irish Upper Crust on the cusp of starting a new life in the colonies, a strapping teenage ship’s apprentice honing his craft on the seas. A soupy fog, a tragic splintering up of their vessel and a heroic rescue that involved scaling sheer cliff faces to find help.
They were the only two survivors from 54 crew and passengers aboard the Loch Ard, which had sailed from England bound for Port Campbell and was wrecked on a reef just offshore on June 1, 1878
After clinging to an upturned hull, Tom was washed into the gorge and was safely on land when he heard cries from the water. Swimming back out, he struggled for an hour to drag a barely conscious Eva to shore. Once there, they slept in a nearby cave and regained strength by drinking Brandy that had washed ashore before Tom scaled the towering, sheer sandstone cliffs to go for help, coming across the owners of the nearby Glenample Station who finally came to their rescue.
Sadly, if you were hoping for a Hollywood blockbuster tale, it wasn’t to be. After convalescing at the Glenample station for three months, Eva returned home to Ireland and the two never saw each other again.
WHAT TO SEE AND DO AT LOCH ARD GORGE
TAKE IN THE VIEWS FROM THE MAIN LOOKOUT
This goes without saying given its the easiest and most obvious way to enjoy the Loch Ard Gorge, but the lookout really is a treat, with views over the beach below, the encircling gorge, and the wild Southern Ocean beyond the entrance.
We’ve probably visited the gorge dozens of times in our lifetimes and it still gets us every time.
EXPLORE THE BEACH
The Loch Ard Gorge beach is one of the few places in the Port Campbell National Park where you can actually access the beach, something we definitely recommend doing!
From down on the shoreline, encircled by the crumbling gorge walls you get a real feel for the power of this coastline. Waves break heavily along the beach and sheer cliffs, the wind whips through on a blustery day, and the surrounding cliffs look awe-inspiring and imposing. Along the back wall, you can also see the cave where Tom and Eva sheltered after making it to shore.
To access the beach, take the stairs to the right of the main lookout point. Avoid standing too close to the cliffs as they’re very unstable and rocks may drop without warning.
VISIT THE TOM AND EVA LOOKOUT AT THE LOCH ARD GORGE
This little-known lookout provides one of the best views over the Loch Ard Gorge and surrounds, as well as an insight to the erosion that continues to wear down the landscape here every day.
At the time of writing, there are no signs to the Tom and Eva Lookout, but it’s super easy to get to: from the Loch Ard Gorge parking area head to the left of the main path to the lookout and the beach, and you’ll come to the lookout point. Once you’re at the small viewing platform, you’ll look out upon what used to be the Island Archway, a limestone arch formation that partially collapsed into the ocean in 2009.
All that’s left behind today are the two sheer limestone rock pillars standing that were left in the wake of the collapse, named Tom and Eva of course - which we think is kinda poetic given they’re standing sentinel near the entrance to the gorge.
This is a great spot to watch the sun go down and take in a totally different perspective of the gorge. It’s also a lovely place to get some peace and quiet in the area, especially when the rest of the Loch Ard Gorge becomes chaotic with tourists during the summer months.
WANDER ALONG THE RAZORBACK
If you continue along the same walking path as the Tom and Eva lookout, you’ll find yourself at the lookout for the Razorback rock formation, an impossibly thin, half crescent-shaped sliver of limestone rock jutting out of the ocean. The constant battering of the rock by the winds and the ocean have shaped jagged lines and smooth curves along the sandstone, giving it a totally unique beauty.
VISIT THE LOCH ARD GORGE CEMETERY
A quiet 2-minute walk from the Loch Ard gorge carpark, you’ll find the Loch Ard Cemetery, a tranquil pocket nestled into the scrub and protected from the harsh winds that tear along the coastline here.
This is the resting place of some of those lost in the Loch Ard shipwreck (there’s also a memorial plaque dedicated to those who lost their lives) as well as prominent early European settler families of the time. It’s an insight into the families and settlers who carved out isolated lives here on these wild landscapes hundreds of years ago.
SEE THE THUNDER CAVE
You’ll see the power of the Great Ocean Road everywhere you visit on your travels here - but at the Thunder Cave, you’ll hear it too.
The Thunder Cave is a narrow cave and gorge that the ocean rushes quickly into, and then booms like a crack of thunder as it folds back on itself and the walls of the cave. While there’s not too much more to the lookout, it’s still mesmerising watching the water swell and anticipating the thunder sound!
The Thunder Cave can be accessed from the Loch Ard Gorge car park.
VISIT SHERBROOK RIVER
Just a short walk down from the Loch Ard Gorge and accessible from the same car park is the place where the meandering Sherbrook River meets the Southern Ocean in all its wild, powerful glory.
Here, 12-ft waves pound against the landscape, causing huge sprays to break over the limestone rock outcrop. It’s pretty awe-inspiring and raw, feeling the power of the ocean and the rugged landscape. You can walk along this outcrop, but do be warned that freak waves and spray occur at random and are extremely powerful.
We absolutely recommend exploring the area as it’s one of our favourite places to visit in the Loch Ard Gorge region, but we definitely don’t recommend swimming here, even on calmer days. There’s a permanent rip which makes the beach extremely dangerous to swim in and there have been tragic accidents here
WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE VISITING LOCH ARD GORGE
THE CLIFFS ARE UNSTABLE
The limestone cliffs here are super unstable and prone to crumbling without warning; keep away from the edges when you’re on top of them, and avoid standing too close to the cliff faces when you’re underneath them!
SAFETY AT THE LOCH ARD GORGE BEACH & SHERBROOK RIVER BEACH
Australian beaches can never be underestimated and Loch Ard Gorge beach is no exception. The water here can be quite rough with strong undercurrents and it’s extremely easy to find yourself in trouble here without warning.
Only swim here on calm days and if you’re a confident, strong swimmer.
To put it in perspective, we’re both strong, former competitive swimmers, and we’d think twice before swimming anywhere along this coastline!
VISIT IN THE EARLY MORNING TO BEAT THE CROWDS
Just a few years ago, Loch Ard Gorge was a barely-known stop along the Great Ocean Road sightseeing route. These days, it’s one of the busiest and can get extremely crowded, especially through the middle part of the day.
Photography enthusiasts or those who just prefer to take it all in without the chaos of a million tourists, we recommend visiting for sunrise or during last light for the best experience.
WHERE TO STAY NEAR LOCH ARD GORGE
On our most trip along the Great Ocean Road, we stayed at the Marengo Motel, just outside Apollo Bay. It’s definitely a budget option, but was pretty much in the middle of everything in the region that we wanted to explore (about 1.5 hours drive from Loch Ard). Simple but comfortable, with just about everything we needed for a few-day stay.
BOOK | Marengo Motel
If you’re looking for something closer to the Loch Ard Gorge and the rest of the Port Campbell National Park, we recommend looking at accommodation in Port Campbell, just 10 minutes drive away, instead.
Airbnb | Port Campbell Cottage - perfect for couples or groups of up to 5, this cottage is close to all the action of both Port Campbell and the 12 Apostles area, plus has a cosy fireplace to keep you warm in the cooler months.
BOOK | Port Campbell Cottage
Hotel | Sea Foam Villas - comfortable semi and self-contained apartments in Port Campbell, just two minutes walk from Lord St.
BOOK | Sea Foam Villas
HOW TO GET TO LOCH ARD GORGE
You’ll find Loch Ard Gorge along the Great Ocean Road, just 5-minutes drive from the Twelve Apostles in the Port Campbell National Park.
Just pop Loch Ard Gorge carpark into Google Maps and you’ll have no issues finding your way. The carpark is also clearly signposted from the road so you can’t miss it.
BY VAN
One of the most common sights you’ll see on the Great Ocean Road is the bright green and purple branding of Jucy Rentals vans. #Vanlifing along this coastline is one of the most popular ways to discover the area — and is something we can personally vouch for having done the very same for a week back in 2017!
BOOK | Book your Jucy Rental
BY CAR
The Great Ocean Road is literally built for epic road trips. If you need to hire a car, we recommend booking through Rentalcars.com. Keep an eye out for both our Great Ocean Road road trip itinerary and our guide to what to know before driving the Great Ocean Road - both dropping soon!
BOOK | Rentalcars.com
TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR AUSTRALIA
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Book with travel insurance company that covers COVID-related expenses, like flight or booking cancellations, medical support, etc and be safe in the knowledge that you won’t be left stranded without any means of getting home safely.
For all travellers | HeyMondo - COVID-19 coverage, comprehensive travel + medical insurance, an app with 24-hour medical support, and no out of pocket fees. *Get 5% off your policy by booking through our link here.
For digital nomads | SafetyWing - COVID-19 coverage, comprehensive travel & medical, and policies can be purchased while already abroad.
*In normal times, we recommend using World Nomads travel insurance, but unfortunately they're not currently covering COVID-19 related claims right now.
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TRAVEL INSURANCE | Don’t leave home without travel insurance (seriously, don’t!). Click here to get the best deals with World Nomads, our trusted travel insurance provider
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Click here to view our detailed photography gear guide, as well as our top travel photography tips!
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PLAN YOUR AUSSIE ADVENTURE WITH OUR USEFUL TRAVEL GUIDES
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