Twelve Apostles

Twelve Apostles

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    Twelve Apostles

    Port Campbell National Park

    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. 

    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. 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

    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. 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.
    A couple walk along the beach at Gibson Steps.

    Gibson Steps

    A gentle 1.1km track takes you to Gibson Steps Lookout and, when open, 89 steps lead down the cliff‐face to a wild ocean beach. If the tide is low you can view the rockstacks ‘Gog and Magog’ up close.
    Two young wearing dresses stroll across the beach at Loch Ard Gorge.

    Loch Ard Gorge

    A few minutes' down the Great Ocean Road from the world-famous Twelve Apostles, discover another mighty rock stack and a stunning sandy beach enclosed by sheer yellow coloured limestone cliffs.
    Two women in chat at lookout while a man takes in the view of London Bridge in the Port Campbell National Park.

    London Bridge

    A short drive along the Great Ocean Road from the Twelve Apostles just beyond Port Campbell, discover these three unique and spectacular rock formations. See Little Penguins come ashore at dusk from London Bridge Lookout, coastal vistas framed by the charming Grotto and the Arch precariously balanced on a rock platform smashed by waves.
    A couple take a selfie in front of the Grotto in Port Campbell National Park.

    The Grotto

    The Grotto is a cave and sinkhole located about halfway up the cliff, from sea level. The paved pathway leads to a decked staircase that descends into a viewing area. Enjoy the view of the rock pools carved out in the jagged edged limestone. Stay inside barriers
    Snorkelling at Barwon Bluff Marine Sanctuary

    Discover an underwater world

    If you’re looking for the best places to see underwater ecosystems and encounter marine wildlife, look no further! We’ve rounded up some of the best ways to explore marine protected areas. So, pack your togs, wetsuit, a mask and snorkel and head to the coast!

    How to get there

    Twelve Apostles

    The Twelve Apostles is a four-and-a-half-hour drive from Melbourne along the Great Ocean Road. There is a more direct route along the Princes Highway via Colac that takes three hours. The Twelve Apostles is a 10-minute drive from Port Campbell, where there are accommodation options and places to eat.
    Twelve Apostles

    When you're there

    The Twelve Apostles kiosk is open 10.00 am to 5.00 pm daily. The kiosk sells a range of items including tea, coffee, cold drinks, confectionery, ice creams, souvenirs, 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

    It is always busy here in summer. Plan you visit to be a little earlier or later in the day. No swimming in this area however the small town of Princetown is nearby and Port Campbell is just up the road. good walks in the area best undertaken morning and late afternoon.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    • Loch Ard Gorge (Port Campbell National Park)

      Loch Ard Gorge beach access closure

      Access to Loch Ard Gorge beach is closed due to the recent minor rock fall that impacts the safety of the steps with potential for further rock movement. Further potential rock movement could cause serious injury or even death if people were nearby.

      Following the geotechnical survey of the crack in the cliff face at Loch Ard we are working with specialists on a solution that will allow us to restore access to the beach as soon as possible.


    • Twelve Apostles (Port Campbell National Park)

      Saddle Lookout - access change

      From mid-September 2021 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.

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