Loch Ard Gorge

A sandy cove with high green foliage-covered cliffs forming a gorge for the ocean to enter.

This area has additional visitor advice This area has reported issues This area is closed

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Loch Ard Gorge

Port Campbell National Park

A few minutes' down the Great Ocean Road from the world-famous Twelve Apostles, discover another mighty rock stack and a stunning sandy beach enclosed by sheer yellow coloured limestone cliffs. The nearby Mutton Bird Island hosts a daily wildlife spectacular, while Loch Ard Gorge was the scene of the Shipwreck Coast's most famous shipping disaster.

Loch Ard Gorge is the site of the most famous shipwreck on the aptly named Shipwreck Coast. The Loch Ard ran aground crashing into Mutton Bird Island in 1878. The only two survivors Tom Pearce and Eva Carmichael managed to drag themselves to the safety of the beach inside Loch Ard Gorge. For a moment, these two tragic teenagers were the talk of the English-speaking world, which very much hoped they would marry (they did not). Walk along this sandy beach, dramatically closed in by towering sandstone cliffs. Explore several other short walks in this area including the cemetery where Tom and Eva’s less fortunate shipmates are buried.

A short walk from Loch Ard Gorge, Mutton Bird Island used to be called ‘The Sow’ back in the days when the Twelve Apostles were known as ‘The Sow and Piglets’. Every spring and summer the island is home to a noisy colony of Short-tailed Shearwaters (aka muttonbirds). Every day at dusk between October and April, these birds flock home to their burrows in their thousands, to feed hungry chicks. Experience this incredible natural event before heading to Port Campbell for dinner and an overnight stay.

Things to do in the area

A couple walk along the beach at Gibson Steps.

Gibson Steps

A gentle 1.1km track takes you to Gibson Steps Lookout and, when open, 89 steps lead down the cliff‐face to a wild ocean beach. If the tide is low you can view the rockstacks ‘Gog and Magog’ up close.
Two women in chat at lookout while a man takes in the view of London Bridge in the Port Campbell National Park.

London Bridge

A short drive along the Great Ocean Road from the Twelve Apostles just beyond Port Campbell, discover these three unique and spectacular rock formations. See Little Penguins come ashore at dusk from London Bridge Lookout, coastal vistas framed by the charming Grotto and the Arch precariously balanced on a rock platform smashed by waves.
A couple take a selfie in front of the Grotto in Port Campbell National Park.

The Grotto

The Grotto is a cave and sinkhole located about halfway up the cliff, from sea level. The paved pathway leads to a decked staircase that descends into a viewing area. Enjoy the view of the rock pools carved out in the jagged edged limestone. Stay inside barriers
A man and woman play in shallow waters in front of the Twelve Apostles.

Twelve Apostles

The world-famous Twelve Apostles are the undisputed highlight of the equally famous Great Ocean Road. View these limestone sea stacks at sunset for a quieter and even more spectacular experience. And be sure to walk the short trail to Gibson Steps for a view from the beach.

How to get there

Loch Ard Gorge

Loch Ard Gorge is a four-and-a-half-hour drive from Melbourne along the Great Ocean Road. There is a more direct route along the Princes Highway via Colac that takes three hours. Loch Ard Gorge is a five-minute drive along the Great Ocean Road from the Twelve Apostles and a 10-minute drive from Port Campbell, where there are accommodation options and places to eat.
Loch Ard Gorge

When you're there

There are several easy walking tracks and three of them have storyboards revealing the area's wildlife, history and geology:

  • Geology Walk - Discover the secrets of the forces that shape the coastline on this easy self‐guided walk.
  • Shipwreck Walk - Follow the tragic story of the Loch Ard shipwreck site to the cemetery. This amazing story of courage and survival is also featured in Warrnambool’s Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village.
  • Living on the Edge - Discover the lives of plucky Short-tailed Shearwaters on the edge of the sheer cliffs. This easy walk encompasses the Mutton Bird Island viewing platform, Thunder Cave and Broken Head.

Download the Port Campbell National Park visitor guide for more information about the park and the plethora of experiences to be had within its borders. 

When to go

Short-tailed Shearwaters are still on Mutton Bird Island until April. See them flock home to their roosts every day at dusk.

Need to know

Loch Ard Gorge

Accessibility

Visiting a park can be more of a challenge for people with disabilities, however in Victoria there are a wide range of facilities to help people of all abilities enjoy our wonderful parks around the state.

To make it easier for people with limited mobility to see the all abilities access and experiences on offer at Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge walks, Parks Victoria has released this video - produced and narrated by accessibility advocate Ryan Smith, who uses a wheelchair.

Assistance dogs are welcome in Parks Victoria parks and reserves. Entry requirements apply for parks and reserves that are usually dog prohibited, such as national parks.

Tread lightly as the coast is fragile and your safety matters. Stick to marked trails to avoid injury, and to protect the delicate coastal vegetation and wildlife that call the park home.

Change of Conditions

Nature being nature, sometimes conditions can change at short notice. It’s a good idea to check this page ahead of your visit for any updates.

  • Loch Ard Gorge (Port Campbell National Park)

    Loch Ard Gorge Beach Access Stairs Closure

    The beach access has been closed following an independent geotechnical inspection after a rock fall over the steps themselves. Parks Victoria is working with The Great Ocean Road and Parks Authority as well as Traditional Owners to implement identified works required to make the site safe for all users.  

  • Port Campbell Discovery Walk (Port Campbell Bay, Port Campbell National Park)

    Discovery Walk partial closure

    A section of Discovery Walk is closed due to geotechnical changes until further geotechnical monitoring occurs. A temporary re-routing option will be available as soon as possible to allow for access to the trail.

  • The Arch Day Visitor Area (Port Campbell National Park)

    The Arch Closure - Port Campbell National Park

    The Arch visitor site including lookout, walking trails and carpark remains closed following geotechnical changes and cliff instability. The site has been assessed by a Geotechnical Engineer and Parks Victoria are assessing options for the site. 

  • Notices Affecting Multiple Sites

    Temporary Closure of Toilets – Twelve Apostles Visitor Facility

    Due to a power failure that has affected our water pumps, the toilet facilities at the Twelve Apostles Visitor Centre are currently closed.
    Nearest amenities are 12km West in Port Campbell.

    We are currently working to restore services as soon as possible and apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

    Gibson Steps Beach Access Closed

    Gibson Steps are temporarily closed for your safety after a cliff collapse directly above the steps.
    The lookout at Gibson Steps remains open for your convenience. 

  • Gibson Steps (Port Campbell National Park)

    Gibson Steps Possible Traffic Delays

    Pavement rehabilitation will be taking place along the Great Ocean Road adjacent to the Gibson Steps visitor site. During works, traffic management including traffic controllers, will be onsite at Gibson Steps. Please observe road signage. 

    Gibson Steps car park access temporarily changed for Great Ocean Road roadworks.

    Major Roads Projects Victoria are undertaking planned pavement rehabilitation works on the Great Ocean Road, Princetown from Tuesday 3 June - Friday 13 June 2025.

    During this time traffic management will be in place on the Great Ocean Road and at Gibson Steps car park to allow visitor access to the site.

    Visitors are asked to please follow all traffic management changes and directions when accessing the Gibson Steps site, and to expect minimal delays in their journey.

    Alternative access to Gibson Steps is available via the one kilometre walking track from the Twelve Apostles car park.

    There will be no works occurring on the King's Birthday long weekend (7-9 June), with full access to Gibson Steps during this time.

    This work is weather dependent and the schedule may change, please check Parks Victoria's change of conditions for updated information.

  • Twelve Apostles (Port Campbell National Park)

    Twelve Apostles Changed Traffic Conditions

    Changed traffic conditions along Booringa Road. Visitors are asked to obey traffic signage. 

    Twelve Apostles Changed Traffic Conditions

    Changed traffic conditions along Booringa Road from 30 May. Motorists are asked to follow traffic signage in the area. 

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