Loch Ard Gorge: The Inspiration Behind Studio Ghibli's 'Porco Rosso'?

Located near the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge is said to resemble the hideout of the protagonist in Studio Ghibli's film 'Porco Rosso.' In the past, a ship named 'Loch Ard' sailed near this area. On a foggy day, the ship collided with the rocky terrain and sank. Out of the 54 passengers and crew aboard, only two survived. These two survivors washed ashore at Loch Ard Gorge. Surrounded by steep cliffs, the two survivors reached the gorge. To call for help, one of them climbed the cliff to seek rescue. During this time, they carved the name of their ship and their own names into the cliff to mark their presence. In the past, visitors could descend to the sandy beach via stairs, but as of March 2025, the area is closed off, and access to the beach is no longer possible. Visitors now view the gorge from the walking trail above. From the top, many inscriptions can be seen, as numerous visitors have imitated the original carvings. While it's difficult to identify the authentic markings, they can be examined closely using a camera. Walking further along the trail leads to the entrance of the gorge. The waves crashing against the rocks evoke the dramatic events of the past. 📍 Loch Ard Gorge ⏱ Approximately 20 minutes 👀 A site commemorating the Loch Ard shipwreck 🎞 Said to resemble the hideout of the protagonist in 'Porco Rosso' ♬︎•*¨*•.¸¸♬︎•*¨*•.¸¸♬︎•*¨*•.¸¸♬︎