The 12 Apostles, majestic limestone pillars once connected to the cliffs on the mainland, stand in the ocean, along the famous Australian. The waves and the wind turned them into caves, then into arches and finally consumed them until they were reduced to columns 45 meters high. Currently only eight Apostles remain, but it is never known when other sections of the cliff will turn into pillars.
Admire the 12 Apostles from above with a panoramic helicopter flight
Take some time to explore the spectacular coastline
Take a walk along the Great Ocean Walk, which ends at the 12 Apostles
HOW TO GET THERE
A 4.5-hour drive along the scenic Melbourne via Geelong leads to the 12 Apostles. You can then return to Melbourne in 3.5 hours by taking the inner road along Princes Highway. From Melbourne there are also many options for day tours, short trips and longer stays.
MAIN ATTRACTIONS AROUND THE 12 APOSTLES
ADMIRE THE 12 APOSTLES FROM ABOVE
Admire Australia's most spectacular coastal landscape with an above 12 Apostles. Flights depart daily from the heliport behind the Visitor Centre of the 12 Apostles. Depending on the length of the flight, you can see not only the famous limestone faraglioni, but also Loch Ard Gorge, The London Bridge, The Grotto, The Bay of Islands and the entire Shipwreck Coast to Cape Otway, where Australia's oldest lighthouse is located.
TAKE SOME TIME TO EXPLORE NATURAL ATTRACTIONS
Admire the from the vantage point and read the information about the explanatory signs along the walkway. The best time to admire the show is at sunrise or sunset, when you can see even small Penguins. Walk along the self-guided route to , where you will discover the history of the shipwreck and information about geology and coastal ecology. It was at this point that Loch Ard, arguably the most famous wreck in the state of Victoria, shattered against Muttonbird Island in 1878, with only two young survivors. Visit the, where you can often admire the rainbows that are formed with the splashes of waves and sunlight, the, with its spectacular views of the 12 Apostles in the late afternoon, the, originally a natural arch, collapsed in 1990, and the . Go down the 86 steps of to reach the beach, behind which rise cliffs of limestone rock 70 meters high. Continue to the huge rock formations of Gog and Magog, off the coast. Before visiting, remember to check tidal times and ocean conditions.
WALK ALONG THE GREAT OCEAN WALK TO THE 12 APOSTLES
Reach the 12 Apostles by walking. From Princetown, with a not too demanding 7 km long walk consisting of walkways, crushed stone, steps and rubber tiles, you can admire the spectacular coastal views, trying to spot even kangaroos and birds. If you want to take a longer walk, you can take the, A four-day itinerary along which you will find fabulous shelters, or take the whole , 104 kilometers long, choosing from as many beautiful facilities.
DISCOVER THE WRECKS
The Bass Strait was one of the main sea routes, through which immigrants and carriers arrived in . The first sailing ships mostly followed the Great Circle Route south of Cape Town before heading northeast towards the Bass Strait. Here they crossed the insidious passage between Cape Otway and King Island. Admire the exhibition about the historic shipwreck at Port Campbell, where a 1/60 scale model of Loch Ard and its anchor are also on display. Explore the entire Shipwreck Coast, between Port Fairy and Cape Otway there are more than 200 wrecks. There are 25 information plaques along the river, indicating the cliffs where the shipwrecks occurred.
TAKE OFF
Take a panoramic tour with to see the 12 Apostles up close. Seeing this stretch of coast that is beaten by the winds and the Big Sea is an invigorating experience, which will make you feel at the edge of the Earth. Feel the splashes of waves on your face, listen to the roar of the shower heads from which water jets come out and watch the ocean foaming around the rock formations. On quieter days, the 12 Apostles turn from disturbing silhouettes to glorious sand-colored monuments that shine under the sun. You will also discover the history of the Shipwreck Coast and the geology of the coast. Do fishing, snorkeling and diving at some of Australia's best shipwreck sites.