Cliff collapses near Bells Beach, Surf Coast, amid fresh safety warnings

A large area of cliff has collapsed along a popular Surf Coast beach, as authorities are warning others could follow.

An area of cliff about 30m high and 60m wide has fallen onto the beach along a popular Surf Coast beach. Picture: Alan Barber

A large area of cliff has collapsed along a popular Surf Coast beach, as authorities warn others could follow.

A rock wall, 30m high and 60m wide, fell onto the beach below at Jarosite headland, between Bells Beach and Point Addis, on February 21.

Parks Victoria district manager Dale Antonysen said the event was a timely reminder of just how dangerous the spectacular coastline could be.

“Cliffs along the Great Ocean Road are battered by wind and storms that cause cracking and erosion,” he said.

“Collapses and rock falls can happen at any time, without warning.”

Mr Antonysen said people could stay safe by staying away from cliffs and caves, sticking to established tracks, following warning signs, and spreading the word.

A cliff collapses at Jarosite headland. Picture: Alan Barber

It is understood warning signage was in place in the area when the collapse happened.

Local residents reported seeing large cracks in the cliff in the weeks leading up to the dramatic collapse.

The Jarosite cliff fall comes during Great Ocean Road Coastal and Parks Authority (GORCAPA)’s cliff safety month, an annual campaign to highlight the hidden dangers posed by cliff failures along Victoria’s iconic coastline.

GORCAPA coastal reserves manager Caleb Hurrell said the summer had seen significant cliff collapses on land at Point Roadknight and Soapy Rocks near Anglesea.

In January, another cliff failure happened between the Anglesea Surf Life Saving Club and Point Roadknight, while cracks at Demons Bluff have led to ongoing closures since.

Mr Hurrell said about 5 cubic metres of cliff face had fallen at Soapy Rocks on January 6.

“These events are part of a natural process, but they serve as a stark reminder: cliffs can fall at any time, without warning,” he said.

“Cliffs between Torquay and Aireys Inlet are composed of relatively soft rocks, which combined with large swells and tides makes them more susceptible to collapse than other coastal areas.

“Cliff collapses are unpredictable and can occur without warning, posing a significant risk to people above and below the cliff face.

“We have signs at high-risk beaches warning beach goers not to explore caves, climb cliff walls or sunbake near them this summer.

He said GORCAPA had also commission geotechnical experts to inspect local cliffs, and rangers conduct visual inspections of cliffs on their regular patrols.

Originally published as Cliff collapses near Bells Beach, Surf Coast, amid fresh safety warnings