Twelve Apostles

A majority of the tours to the Twelve Apostles are full-day tours leaving from Melbourne in the early morning. There are many stops and photo opportunities along the way as you drive down the Great Ocean Road, such as Loch Ard Gorge, Apollo Bay, and Port Campbell. Discover the native wildlife, such as koalas and kangaroos, and learn about the local indigenous culture. For those who want a bird’s-eye view, take a helicopter tour over the Victorian coast.

• The Twelve Apostles can be viewed from the viewpoint above or down on the beach, reached via the Gibson Steps.

• The Great Ocean Road can be very chilly due to the strong winds from the Southern Ocean, so it’s best to dress in layers.

• The Twelve Apostles Visitor Facility, located across the B100 highway, has an information center, restrooms and a drinking fountain (with wheelchair accessibility), a large parking area, and a small cafe.

For those who would like to road trip on their own, drive along the coastal B100 highway to reach the Twelve Apostles. Visitors can also rent a bike or book a cycling tour to explore the Great Ocean Road at their own pace. For the truly adventurous, the 65-mile (104-kilometer) Great Ocean Walk from Apollo Bay to the Twelve Apostles may be of interest.

The Twelve Apostles is one of Australia’s most popular attractions. Avoid the large crowds from tourist buses by getting to the rock formations in the early morning or late afternoon. Alternately, if you drive inland to get to the sight, and then take the Great Ocean Road back to Melbourne, it's generally a less crowded route.

The Bass Strait was once a very busy shipping route, bringing supplies and immigrants to Melbourne from all over the world. But the waters were quite treacherous during bad weather. This resulted in upwards of 700 ships meeting a bitter end along this coastline, some of which can still be seen today between Port Fairy and Cape Otway.

One of the most popular times to visit the Twelve Apostles is at sunset. On days when it’s not too cloudy, the setting sun has a dramatic effect on the rocks and cliffs along the coast, giving them a golden-orange glow.

Exploring both the coastline and the beach are the most common activities when visiting the Twelve Apostles. Visitors can try spotting Little Penguins, also known as Fairy Penguins, which sometimes can be seen on the beach at dusk. Helicopter tours are also available.

Two of the best viewpoints to see the Twelve Apostles are the Twelve Apostles viewpoint and the Castle Rock viewpoint, both of which are easily accessible. Gibson Beach is another great spot for views, as it provides a different perspective of the coast’s limestone rocks, although the rocks there aren’t technically part of the Twelve Apostles.

No, you can’t swim at the Twelve Apostles—there is no beach access from the cliffs and the surf is too rough. While you can reach Gibson Beach, you also shouldn’t swim there, as lifeguards do not patrol the beach and conditions can be hazardous. Visit Port Campbell Beach nearby if you wish to swim on this part of the Great Ocean Road.

Seven rock stacks remain along the coast at the Twelve Apostles, with two lost in the 21st century due to collapse caused by coastal erosion. However, there were never actually 12 stacks along the coast here, but the creative title—referencing the 12 apostles of Jesus—was used anyway.

Yes, the Twelve Apostles viewpoint is accessible for visitors who use wheelchairs. A wide and even path leads from the main parking lot, under the road, and down an incline to the observation deck. Wheelchairs users may require a little assistance on one or two sections with a steeper gradient. The main viewing platform is designed with a railing that won’t obstruct the view.