Port Campbell - The Razorback Lookout
The Razorback is a long, narrow limestone formation rising from the Southern Ocean within the Loch Ard Gorge precinct of Port Campbell National Park. Its steep sides, jagged upper edge and deeply eroded horizontal layers give it a distinctive razor-like appearance.
The lookout provides close views of the Razorback and the surrounding cliffs, offshore stacks and turbulent ocean. More distant formations include sea stacks that appeared as the Sow and Piglets on C.J. La Trobe’s 1846 coastal chart. These formations cannot be seen from the main Twelve Apostles viewing area.
The walk begins at the eastern end of the Loch Ard Gorge car park. Follow the signed clifftop path past views of the two sea stacks known as Tom and Eva, which were created when the Island Archway collapsed in 2009. The path continues to viewing platforms overlooking the Razorback.
Distance: Approximately 600 metres return to the Razorback or 900 metres return when completed as part of the Geology Walk past Island Arch
Time: 15-30 minutes
Terrain: Mostly level coastal headland
Track: Constructed paths with sections of bitumen and crushed gravel
Start/Finish: Loch Ard Gorge car park, Post Office Road
Features include:
- Views of the Razorback limestone formation
- Clifftop views along the Shipwreck Coast
- Views of Tom and Eva
- Offshore sea stacks not visible from the main Twelve Apostles lookout
- Interpretive signs
- Fenced viewing platforms
- Car parking
- Designated accessible parking spaces
Opening Hours:
The lookout and walking track are generally open daily. Check the official Loch Ard Gorge page for temporary closures and safety notices.
Access for Dogs:
Dogs are not permitted in Port Campbell National Park.
How to Get There:
The lookout is located within the Loch Ard Gorge precinct, approximately 8 km east of Port Campbell and 4 km west of the Twelve Apostles. Turn off the Great Ocean Road at the large, clearly signed Loch Ard Gorge entrance. At the junction inside the precinct, follow the road to the left to reach the main Loch Ard Gorge car park.
Loch Ard Gorge Area Lookouts Map
The Razorback Signage
Constant wave action, salt laden wind and changing temperature continue to carve this magnificent sculptured coast.
This rock stack is called “the Razorback”. The sharp edges and bumps along its back are caused by wind-blown spray, which hardens small areas of rock. The softer rock around these erodes away, leaving an uneven surface.
Wave energy channelled along the side of the stack carves the deep smooth grooves just above sea level. With one wave every 14 seconds, there’s a lot of erosion over a year, a century, or a thousand years!
The Razorback once extended much further out to sea. The force of the waves gradually eroded and undercut the base of the stack. Vertical cracks in the rock were widened by rainwater, forming a line of weakness. Huge blocks of rock then collapsed into the sea, leaving the rock shelf you can see today.
Review:
This lookout is most easily accessed from the main carpark. A path which has the signage "Razorback 400m" leads to the south east and passes the Tom and Eva Lookout which overlooks the cove with two impressive sea stacks.
The track continues onto the Razorback Lookout which has super impressive views. The magnificent Razorback is close to the lookout point and there are sea stacks in the distance as well as a number of coves. This is our favourite lookout in the Loch Ard Gorge area.
Location
Great Ocean Road, Port Campbell 3269 View Map
