Loch Ard Gorge
Posted by: 
Na'wal
S 38° 38.783 E 143° 04.245
54H E 680207 N 5720429
The gorge is named after the clipper ship Loch Ard, which ran aground on nearby Muttonbird Island on 1 June 1878
Waymark Code: WMNQWN
Location: Victoria, Australia
Date Posted: 04/21/2015
Views: 7
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. Of the fifty-four passengers and crew, only two survived: Tom Pearce, at 15 years of age, a ship's apprentice, and Eva Carmichael, an Irishwoman emigrating with her family, at 17 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. After three months in Australia Carmichael returned to Europe. Four of her family members drowned that night. Pearce was hailed as a hero, and continued his life living until age 49 and being buried in Southampton, England.
The spectacular cliffs and coastal formations of the Port Campbell National Park are made of soft limestone that are under constant attack by marine erosion, both wind and water.
About 20 million years ago, during the Miocene period, the sea level was much higher than it is today. The coastline at that time was as far inland as Hamilton and Ballarat (over 100km inland from the current shoreline).
Formation of the limestone rock began under the sea with the ceposition of marine animals' skeletons - mainly shellfish and calcium-rich algae - collecting on the sea floor.
Around 5 million years ago, during the last Ice Age (the Pliocene period), the sea level dropped and exposed the sea floor, creating a vast plain stretching all the way from Victoria to Tasmania.
More recently, the sea level rose once again, partly covering the plain. The shaping of this coast's cliffs and sculptured rock stacks has been forming ever since as rainwater seeps through cracks and from the relentless battering of the sea undercutting the cliff edge.
Waymark is confirmed to be publicly accessible: yes
Parking Coordinates: S 38° 38.802 E 143° 04.222
Access fee (In local currency): .00
Requires a high clearance vehicle to visit.: no
Requires 4x4 vehicle to visit.: no
Public Transport available: no
Website reference: [Web Link]
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Visit Instructions:
No specific requirements, just have fun visiting the waymark.