Darby's Monument - Sth End Ocean Beach Rd, Sorrento, Mornington Peninsula, VIC

Overlooking Sorrento’s beautiful ‘Back Beach’, just offshore a single pillar rises above the ocean surface – proudly and defiantly resisting the powerful surf.  One can’t help but be drawn to, and captured by, this natural landmark.  We later learn:

” . . . Here may be seen the “league long roller” breaking on the shore, and the curious isolated rock, called Darby’s monument.  This rock stands like a sentinel in the ocean, about 300 yards from the shore.  It is easily reached at low tide, but when the winds blow and the sea roars its worst, it is a very ticklish place of shelter.  Old Darby the fisherman (still living in the neighborhood), however, tells a weird story of having been caught by the incoming tide, and compelled to remain three days and nights under the lee of this poor shelter, beaten by the waves, and half suffocated by the hail of salt spray.  That is why the rock is called Darby’s monument.  But on a fine day it is a pleasant enough sight to watch the sea hurling its columns of spray and surges of beaded water against this remaining patch of a once formidable headland . . . “

Source:  Excerpt – ‘Illustrated Australian News’ (Melbourne, Vic) – Article “A Holiday Tour Round Port Phillip” – published 18th December 1886

Facilities available at Sorrento’s ‘Back Beach’ include:  public toilets, picnic tables, sheltered picnic tables, numerous bench seats, outdoor showers, water fountain and rubbish bins.

Helpful Hints:

– Located approximately 1.5 km South-West of Town Centre – obtain Directions here

– Parking is available in the adjoining Car Park

– Attractions & Facilities available along the Mornington Peninsula Coastal Walk

– Beach Access

Discover Sorrento:

– Points of Interest

– Things to Do

– Dining Out

– Shopping

– Places to Stay

– Facilities available at Sorrento include:

– Picnic Tables

– Sheltered Pavilions

– Barbecues

– Public Toilets