Loch Ard Gorge arch tumbles

from w
One of my favourite places in Victoria is the 'Shipwreck Coast' area of the Apostles Rocks and the Loch Ard Gorge near Port Campbell. I even researched and wrote a novel (unpublished) on the Loch Ard shipwreck story. Anyway, year after year the rocks tumble and the cliffs wear away. The latest section that fell is part of the Loch Ard Gorge.

From the Herald Sun today:
Island Archway near Loch Ard Gorge loses its archwayArticle
Megan McNaught
June 11, 2009 12:00am

THE pounding sea along the Great Ocean Rd has claimed another landmark with the collapse of the Island Archway near Loch Ard Gorge. All that remains of the tourist lure are two rock pillars protruding about 25m from the ocean and a pile of rubble beneath the surface.

Helicopter pilot Brad Camrie did a double-take when he flew past the site at 9am yesterday. "We first noticed that the water looked a little different," Mr Camrie said. "Then I saw the bridge - that must have been at least 10m across - had disappeared. Looking at it now, you wouldn't know there had been an archway. They will have to come up with a new name because they won't be able to call it Island Archway any more."

Natasha Johnson, Parks Victoria acting ranger in charge at Port Campbell, said the southern coastline was always changing. "Nature is constantly shaping and reshaping it," she said.

Several of the area's rock formations have toppled over. The last significant loss was in 2005 when one of the Twelve Apostles collapsed.