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Australia is an amazing country and continent. It's the same size as the United States yet has only 22 million people, with over half living around the Sydney and Melbourne metropolitan areas. It has some of the most diverse and spectacular scenery in the world with its desolate outback, iconic red deserts, huge canyons, rugged coastlines and the crown jewel, the Great Barrier Reef.
| Shipwreck Coast from the air -
Loch Ard Gorge in the center |
Shipwreck Coast
Part of this astounding scenery is along the "The Great Ocean Road" located in Victoria just south of Melbourne. The Southern Ocean crashes ferociously against the shore and has sculpted rock cliffs and sandstone formations over millions of years. This area contains some of the most famous natural landmarks in the world and is an unending cornucopia of landscapes and photography. The region is also affectionately called the "Shipwreck Coast" because of the number of ships that met their demise over the last 200 years in the ferocious seas and devastating rocks offshore.
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Town of Port Campbell
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The Great Ocean Road can be driven in one day, but you really need to give it at least two, preferably three, days to fully explore the region. The two lane highway traverses the region and hugs the coast for its entire length, 150 miles, between Torquay on the east and Warrnambool to the west. The towns of Apollo Bay, Lorne and Port Campbell are in the middle with a great variety of hotels, inns, restaurants and retail stores. We've visited the Great Ocean Road twice and on each occasion spent three days exploring the region, which is barely enough to visit and explore the highlights.
| Split Rock Lighthouse at Airey's Inlet
on the Great Ocean Road |
Forces of Nature
The most famous landmarks along the Shipwreck Coast are in Port Campbell National Park and include the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, London Bridge, the Arch and the Grotto. Two gorgeous lighthouses, Split Rock and Cape Otway, were built along the coast to protect ships from those great formations.
The forces of nature have been quite evident on these landmarks. In just the past few decades three major incidents have changed the landscape forever:
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London Bridge
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1. London Bridge used to be a land bridge protruding about a quarter mile into the ocean with two huge arches making it appear like the famous bridge. On one summer afternoon in July, 1990 the largest of the arches collapsed, leaving an island offshore with no bridge. Two people were at the far end of the newly formed island and had to be rescued by helicopter. [The story goes that they were married, but not to each other, and apparently not happy about the worldwide publicity they received that day.]
2. The most famous landmark on the Great Ocean Road, The Twelve Apostles, is an amazing site along the coast. The formations were aptly numbered "twelve" when there was a series of twelve sea stacks running parallel to the shore. But erosion and forces of nature have collapsed five of the stacks, with three of them disappearing just over the past few decades. There are now seven remaining. [Are they now "The Seven Apostles"?]
3. Loch Ard Gorge is a diverse collection of eroded cliffs, arches and pillars along the shore. Its centerpiece was the "Island Archway" a huge arch in the middle of the gorge.
| Loch Ard Gorge in 2010 -
a year after the arch collapsed |
In June, 2009 the arch collapsed, leaving two monolithic pillars where the majestic arch once stood. You can see the difference in the accompanying photographs shot in 2002 and again in 2010, less than a year after the collapse.
The Bird's Eye View
You need to make time for a helicopter ride over the Shipwreck Coast. It is only fifteen minutes long but a definite "don't miss" event. It's an incredible and amazing way to see the famous landmarks and rugged shore from a bird's eye view.
| Loch Arch Gorge in 2002 -
Arch is in the middle |
The heliport is next to the Twelve Apostles visitor center and advance
reservations are highly recommended since tour groups also book in advance. The view from the air is jaw-dropping with miles of rugged shoreline, cliffs and ferocious seas stretching out in front of you.
The Great Ocean Road is an incredible experience. If you get the opportunity to visit you will be astounded by the region and come home with a portfolio of amazing images.
| Shipwreck Coast and Great Ocean Road
from helicopter. London Bridge is at bottom |
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