What makes the 12 apostles unique
These stakes of skeletons slowly formed into limestone formations, becoming the limestone cliffs once the ocean retreated. The constant wind and water carved out cavernous caves in the soft rock. As time ticked on the caves became majestic arches framing the sea.
Yet the surf and the storms were relentless and eventually, the arches collapsed to make towering stacks that soared up to 45 meters in the sky and isolated from the cliffs. Although their name suggests only twelve stacks, there are in fact thirty different limestone masses stretched along the coast, however, the only visible ones from the viewing areas are the eight apostles left. However, there is some light at the end of the tunnel, with the prediction of some brand-new apostles emerging from the coast in the near future.
Many people travel across the globe to witness the splendour, the myth and the mystery of the 12 apostles. It has been a tourist favourite for years, even before it was named the 12 Apostles. Until the s, the area was nicknamed the Sow and Pigs, with the Muttonbird island being the sow, and the limestone stacks being the pigs.
For marketing purposes, they have then coined the Apostles, which slowly turned in the 12 apostles although you could only see nine at the time of the name. Throughout the day the colours and the light ebbs and flows across the rock changing the face and the feel of the mighty rocks. As the sun rises on her mast the golden colours spill across the rocks with flecks of rose and red. As the sun starts to fall exploding the sky with burnt oranges and lavender hues the same colours drip across the rocks and adorn the apostles with rainbow colours before they look into foreboding shadows.
Every year the fierce ocean storms still roll in and cause even more erosion of up to two centimetres a year. To make it easier for people with limited mobility to see the all abilities access and experiences on offer at Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge walks, Parks Victoria has released this video - produced and narrated by accessibility advocate Ryan Smith, who uses a wheelchair.
Assistance dogs are welcome in Parks Victoria parks and reserves. Entry requirements apply for parks and reserves that are usually dog prohibited, such as national parks.
Tread lightly as the coast is fragile and your safety matters. Stick to marked trails to avoid injury, and to protect the delicate coastal vegetation and wildlife that call the park home. Nature being nature, sometimes conditions can change at short notice.
Due to coastal erosion and safety concerns the beach access at Captains Carpark in the Port Campbell National Park is closed until further notice. From mid-September there will be no access to the Saddle and Castle Rock viewing areas while a new lookout is being built. Visitors can continue to enjoy the other lookouts, boardwalks and visitor areas at the Twelve Apostles and the other spectacular visitor sites in the Port Campbell National Park. This area has additional visitor advice This area has reported issues This area is closed.
Port Campbell National Park. Twelve Apostles. Stop at the Twelve Apostles visitor centre and walk the short trail to the windswept lookouts to see the dramatic sight of waves crashing against the famous sea stacks. The Twelve Apostles is one of Australia's most popular attractions all year round. You'll be lucky to have the lookouts to yourself, but there are likely to be much fewer people if you arrive earlier or later in the day.
If you time it right, you can view the rock stacks in their best light — at sunset. In the summer, the sun sets further out to sea, while in the winter, the sun sets closer to shore. Get snapping and admire the results over an evening meal in nearby Port Campbell. At dusk you may see Little Penguins coming ashore on the beach far below. Things to do in the area How many Twelve Apostles are left?
The Twelve Apostles can be seen as seven limestone rock stacks. Six of them are visible in the classic view enjoyed by millions of people every the year, while the seventh is located several metres away from the corner of the main viewing platform.
There were never 12 rock stacks here, and they were not always called the Apostles - Sow and Piglets did not remain as a name for long. There were nine rock stacks at the beginning of the 21st century. Check out the shipwrecks Bass Strait was a major shipping route, bringing immigrants and supplies to Victoria. Load More. Road trips near the 12 Apostles. Travellers' stories. Destinations near the 12 Apostles. The Great Ocean Road Experience one of the world's most scenic coastal drives, along the south-west coast of Victoria.
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