Along the windswept coastline of the Great Ocean Road stands an iconic natural wonder, The Twelve Apostles.
69522 The Twelve Apostles
The Twelve Apostles are a collection of limestone stacks off the shore of Port Campbell National Park, by the Great Ocean Road.
The harsh and extreme weather conditions from the Southern Ocean gradually eroded the soft limestone to form caves in the cliffs, which then became arches that eventually collapsed, leaving rock stacks up to 50 m (160 ft) high. The stacks are susceptible to further erosion from waves, and some of them have already collapsed in the past. Despite the name, there aren't quite twelve of these sentinels anymore, but the eight towering apostles that remain are a testament to the erosive power of wind and waves.
70460 View From Castle Rock
70464 Apostles viewed from Gibson Steps beach
There are many viewing platforms close to the road from where to view the Apostles. Standing at the viewing platforms, the enormity of these rock formations becomes palpable. Carved over millennia by the relentless forces of nature, each apostle stands tall, weathered, and adorned with unique patterns etched by time.
69521 Last Light at the Twelve Apostles
I think the best time to see the Twelve Apostles is at sunset, when the yellow rock turns red, orange and every shade in between. The contrast between the dark ocean and the bright sky creates a stunning spectacle that is hard to forget. You can even get down at beach level at The Gibson Steps, if you’re lucky you may even spot some fairy penguins coming ashore at dusk. It’s not hard to see why the Twelve Apostles are one of Australia’s most popular tourist attractions.