Experience the awesome natural beauty of the world-famous Twelve Apostles. Rising abruptly from the tempestuous Southern Ocean, these seven limestone stacks are the highlight of the Great Ocean Road. They are best viewed at sunset when the yellow rock turns red, orange and every shade in between.
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. If the clouds stay away, you’re guaranteed a memorable photographs. 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. the tiny tracks in the sand show where they waddle back to their burrows safe from foxes, cats and dogs.
Things to do in the area
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. Then at 9:18am on 3 July 2005, one of them collapsed. Another collapsed in 2009.
The rough waves not only destroy ‘Apostles’, or rock stacks, but they form them too. The arches and bridges you will see along this stretch of coast will one day collapse and become stacks which will in turn collapse back into the ocean from where they came.

Gibson Steps
Loch Ard Gorge
London Bridge

The Grotto
How to get there
Twelve Apostles
When you're there
The Twelve Apostles kiosk is open 9.30am to 5.00pm daily. (Kiosk hours may extend up to 8pm during holiday periods). The kiosk sells a range of items including tea, coffee, cold drinks, confectionery and a small range of hot/cold food. Sunscreen, hats and insect repellent are also sold. Toilets and parking are available.
Visitors must park in the carpark and walk to the Twelve Apostles lookouts along the well-marked path. A separate well-signposted trail leads to Gibson Steps. Walk the 1km to Gibson Steps where you can usually access a beach at low tide - and a fantastic view of two rock stacks called Gog and Magog. Allow about an hour for this side-trip. The Great Ocean Walk multi-day hike ends at the Twelve Apostles
Download the Port Campbell National park visitor guide for more information about the park and the plethora of experiences to be had within its borders.
Twelve Apostles
Need to know
Twelve Apostles
Accessibility
Visiting a park can be more of a challenge for people with disabilities, however in Victoria there are a wide range of facilities to help people of all abilities enjoy our wonderful parks around the state.
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.
Change of Conditions
Nature being nature, sometimes conditions can change at short notice. It’s a good idea to check this page ahead of your visit for any updates.
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Notices Affecting Multiple Sites
Speed limit and traffic changes around Twelve Apostles this summer
Visitors to the Twelve Apostles over the summer holiday period are encouraged to plan ahead, with traffic management being implemented from Christmas Eve.With COVIDSafe Summer restrictions in place and people being asked to physically distance, practise good hygiene and wear a mask when required, Park Rangers will be monitoring the narrow boardwalks and lookouts at the Twelve Apostles. If public health directions are not being maintained, a queuing system for access to lookouts may be implemented.Traffic and road safety changes24 December 2020 – 3 January 2021, then weekends through January.- Roadside barriers: To prevent illegal roadside parking, barriers will be installed along the Great Ocean Road, from approximately 200 metres west of the Twelve Apostles visitor centre to 300 metres east of Gibson Steps, and 200 metres each side of the Loch Ard Gorge carpark entrance.
- Speed limit reductions: To ensure the safety of pedestrians and drivers, the speed limit will be reduced to 40kms along the Great Ocean Road, from approximately 200 metres west of the Twelve Apostles visitor centre to 300 metres east of Gibson Steps, and 200 metres each side of the Loch Ard Gorge carpark entrance. The speed limit will rise to 60kms in these locations outside of operational times (approximately 11am-6pm).
- Traffic control: Signage and dedicated traffic control staff will direct vehicles on the Great Ocean Road and in car parks to ensure safe and smooth traffic flow into and around the precinct
- Roadside barriers: To prevent illegal roadside parking, barriers will be installed along the Great Ocean Road, from approximately 200 metres west of the Twelve Apostles visitor centre to 300 metres east of Gibson Steps, and 200 metres each side of the Loch Ard Gorge carpark entrance.
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Gibson Steps (Port Campbell National Park)
Gibsons Steps beach access reopened
The Gibsons Steps beach access has been reopened after the the completion of a rock hazard works project. A geotechnical report commissioned by Parks Victoria confirms that the access can be reopened to allow safe beach access for park visitors.