12 Apostles

 The 12 Apostles is Victoria’s most breathtaking attraction

The Great Ocean Road is visited by 6 million people every year, making it one of the most famous sights in Victoria. With its dramatic, rugged coastline and gorgeous sweeping views, the Great Ocean Road is a scenic day trip that offers breathtaking views!

It promises stunning coastlines and rugged scenery for miles and miles. Along the route, there are plenty of incredible natural landmarks. The Great Ocean Road is home to several laid-back surfy beach towns, lush ferny rainforests, an iconic lighthouse, and lots of native Australian wildlife. An impressive stretch of coastal road which eventually leads to the iconic 12 Apostles rock stack. 

These majestic rock stacks seem to emerge from the Southern Ocean, providing a unique silhouette to the dramatic coastline of Victoria. The attraction is set in the Port Campbell National Park, where these huge limestone structures soar 45 metres above the ocean and are backed by rugged cliffs that are thousands of years old. 

How were the 12 Apostles formed?

The 12 Apostles have been formed by natural elements over millions of years. The constant erosion began around 10-20 million years ago, when the strong waves of the ocean combined with blasts of wind gradually began to wear away the softer limestone in the region. Over time, this formed a series of caves in the cliffs, which then eventually became arches. After that, they eroded further, leaving the impressive stacks isolated from the shore.

When is the best time to visit the 12 Apostles?

The best time to visit the 12 Apostles is the summertime, although it’s beautiful all year round! If you want to avoid the crowds, then travel to the 12 Apostles during the cooler months. To avoid the crowds on any day, the best time to visit the 12 Apostles is at sunrise or sunset. During these hours, fewer people stand in the way of the view. They change from a dark and mysterious to a brilliantly bright yellow when the sun has fully risen, and change in reverse when darkness falls.

How to get to the 12 Apostles

The 12 Apostles are located around 275 kilometres to the west of Melbourne, which equates to a four-hour drive along the Great Ocean Road. The cliff-edge road can be a bit windy! Getting a day tour from Melbourne is a wonderful way to experience the Great Ocean Road. Doing a 12 Apostles day tour means you can focus on the views, instead of the driving!