Twelve Apostles

The Twelve Apostles are limestone sea stacks off the coast of Port Campbell National Park along the Great Ocean Road in Victoria, near Princetown in Corangamite Shire. Formed by erosion of Miocene limestone cliffs over millions of years, the stacks rise up to 45 metres from the Southern Ocean. The site is one of Australia's most iconic natural landmarks and a major viewpoint on the Great Ocean Road.

Visitors can expect dramatic coastal scenery viewed from purpose-built lookouts and boardwalks overlooking the Southern Ocean and limestone stacks. The main viewing area is accessed via the Twelve Apostles Visitor Centre and boardwalk. Nearby Gibson Steps provides beach-level access via 86 steps to the sand with views of two stacks and high cliffs. Helicopter flights operate from a nearby helipad. The environment is exposed, windy and subject to rapid weather changes.

The stacks were formed over 10 to 20 million years as Southern Ocean waves eroded Miocene limestone cliffs, creating caves, arches and isolated stacks. Originally known as the Sow and Piglets, the formation was renamed The Twelve Apostles in the 1920s for tourism appeal despite never having twelve stacks. Coastal erosion continues, with a 50-metre stack collapsing in July 2005, leaving eight stacks.

Located on Eastern Maar Country within Port Campbell National Park, the coastline is part of the traditional Country of the Eastern Maar peoples and is protected for its natural and cultural values. The Great Ocean Road itself is a memorial to World War I servicemen who built it.