Welcome to the Memorial Arch

The Fourth Arch: A Lasting Tribute

Often mistaken for the start of the Great Ocean Road, the Memorial Arch is a significant landmark that pays homage to Major W.T.B. McCormack, the honorary engineer of the Great Ocean Road Trust and the chairman of the Country Roads Board. This arch stands as a tribute to the returned servicemen, symbolizing their sacrifice and dedication.

The First Arch – Demolished

The original arch was constructed at ‘The Springs’ near Cathedral Rock, made from massive Mountain Ash logs. When the road first opened to the public, tollgates were established to charge visitors and drivers for using the scenic route. However, this first Memorial Arch was demolished in 1936 when the tolls were abolished.

The Second Arch – A Collision with History

A second arch was erected at Eastern View in 1939. Weighing an impressive fifty tonnes, it stood tall until 1970 when the Country Roads Board proposed its demolition, citing safety concerns due to its narrow design. Despite public outcry to preserve the arch, fate intervened when a rogue truck struck it, leading to its eventual destruction.

The Third Arch – Consumed by Fire

In 1972, a third arch was built at Eastern View, but tragedy struck again when it was destroyed by the Ash Wednesday bushfires in 1983. The men photographed above, Daryl and Ted Babington, were instrumental in delivering the logs for this ill-fated structure.