The Twelve Apostles

The Twelve Apostles is more than just a group of rocks found on Victoria's Shipwreck Coast. A beautiful end to the stunning Great Ocean Road Drive.

The Twelve Apostles is a group of rock stacks in the Southern Ocean off the shore of Port Campbell National Park, by the Great Ocean Road in Victoria, Australia. The rock stacks are made of Port Campbell Limestone, which was deposited some 15 to 5 million years ago. The extreme Southern Ocean weather eroded the soft limestone and thus shaped the stacks over millions of years.

There are 7, not 12 stacks

Despite the name, there were never 12 rock stacks. There were nine original rock formations. However, when officials renamed them ‘The Twelve Apostles’ there were only eight standing. In July 2005, a stack collapsed. Now, just seven stacks remain!

The original name was the Sow and Piglets

Until the 1960s, the rock stacks went by the Pinnacles and the Sow and Piglets. The Sow is Mutton Bird Island, which stands at the entrance to Loch Ard Gorge. The Piglets the many rock stacks dotted along the coast, including the Twelve Apostles.

There are other rock formations in the area

Also along this stretch of coast in Port Campbell National Park are other impressive rock formations, for instance, London Bridge, Thunder Cave, Razorback, Island Archway, Bakers Oven Rock, Sentinel Rocks, and the Grotto.

The Twelve Apostles are part of the Shipwreck Coast

Port Campbell National Park is also home to the Loch Ard Gorge. This gorge is named after the clipper ship Loch Ard which ran aground on nearby Muttonbird Island. You’ll soon discover why this part of the Great Ocean Road is called the Shipwreck Coast. Stretching some 130km from Cape Otway to Port Fairy, there are approximately 638 known shipwrecks along Victoria’s coast.

Best time to visit: All year round! Each season shows off these beautiful natural wonders in its own way.

Getting there: The 12 Apostles are accessible from Melbourne via the Great Ocean Road (4.25 hrs) and via the Princes Hwy (3.25 hrs). Whichever way you arrive remember the 12 Apostles is just one area in what is one of Australia's most spectacular coastal National Parks.'

Check out a range of great gay-friendly accommodations such as local store stay rentals or holiday parks!

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