Loch Ard Gorge

The Loch Ard Gorge (coord|38|38|S|143|04|E|region:AU-VIC_type:landmark) 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.

All but two of the fifty-one passengers and crew perished - 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.

Gallery

ee also

*The Twelve Apostles, Victoria
*London Arch
*The Gibson Steps
*The Grotto
*Great Ocean Road
*Shipwreck Coast
*Loch Ard

External links

* [http://www.greatoceanroad.org/shipwreckcoast/portcampbell/lochardgorge.asp Great Ocean Road - Loch Ard Gorge]
* [http://www.panoramicearth.com/1596/Great_Ocean_Road/Loch_Ard_Gorge_Beach 360 panorama of Loch Ard Gorge]