Twelve Apostles — Attraction in Victoria

Nature has reduced 12 Apostles to about 6 or if you count the mini stacks- maybe 8. There are info boards explaining this - so let's cut out the inane reviews about being mislead ya..Though I must admit - trawl as I might online, no reason given as to why the biblical connection. Why not rename the other geo formations from Aboriginal stories? The whole GOR stretch is stunning, however 12 Apostles is always used as the main drawcard.

Free entry & open 24 hours. Underpass walk through to get here safely from free carpark area, past retail Kiosk & toilets. A fairly short, easy stretch for every able & disabled person.

Attempting to drive solo to get here from Melb & return the same day is not advisable - one way along GOR is 275 kms. With all the stops at scenic spots plus the slower crawl due to ongoing roadworks to address erosion - it will add significant time to your journey. Share the drive if attempting in a day. Use the A1 Princes Highway to Colac & head down to this Lookout & return via the scenic GOR B100. Getting here early means avoiding the hordes & returning reasonably early. Metro Melb is undergoing the Big Build which will last for years & your return drive past Werribee will be affected by this. The GOR route is teeming with unmarked traffic police - observe speed limits!

Or take a smaller Van tour from Melb. The best would the "Reverse itinerary GOR" tours which leaves city at 7 am & takes the route described above. 3rd stop is Twelve Apostles at about 10.30am. The whole tour takes 12 hours & cuts through the Otways National Park with a walk through the rainforest. (Pls read my other reviews on the stops made on this tour). This is a loop journey of approx 575 kms in one day.

Pick your weather & season if you can. After daylight savings in Oct is a good time to make the most of the day. Booking a tour too far in advance is not a great idea. My friend visited 5 weeks before me & saw just 1 Apostle in the swirling fog! I kept an eye on weather forecast & booked my tour only 2 days ahead on 10 Dec 2022.

My first visit decades ago - was in early Jan- plaqued by flies but the Apostles rose above a swirling mist & looked totally ethereal. This recent visit last Sat was on a crystal clear sunny day with dazzling views & no flies!

The current Sino-Aust political chill has frozen our most lucrative tourism market - China. So, at this time of year - tourists are a lot less. That's not to say - it is quiet but at least, there's space to linger & take your umpteen...

During a recent short trip to Melbourne our party spent the day travelling to see the Twelve Apostles on the Great Ocean Road in Victoria. We had decided to do the entire round trip in the day, driving in the wonderfully comfortable Toyota camry. We started off early with our first stop at Torque Beach for a quick stretch. A friendly little, beach orientated town. On to Bell's Beach, the legendary home of the Rip Curl Classic. Wonderful views and photo opps to be had. Unfortunately we were travelling on the opening day of the music festival at Lorne, another town to be passed through and we did, at a very slow pace! On to Apollo Bay where we stopped at the incredible pizza shop and had very yummy pizza. The trip to the Apostles is deceptively long and having sight seen all the way along we found ourselves at about 5.30pm some 56km away from the Apostles. We gathered our strength and pressed on. No motion sickness or issues with that wonderful, picturesque road in our car. The first group of cars on the roadside for quite some time indicated that we may have been close and so we stopped for a look at Gibson steps. Somewhat disappointed initially with the very minimal view, we thought our friend who said the only way to see these formations was from the helicopter might have been right. How wrong she was! Clearly there was more to see so we pressed on and discovered the amazing, beautifully presented and appointed visitors centre in close proximity to the Apostles. Ample, well marked parking and a clear, well presented pathway which did not clash with this amazing, wild environment. There were hundreds of people still there at about 5.40pm when we finally arrived, the largest portion travelling in tour coaches. The amenities were adequate however the souvenir shop was cramped and hot. The Apostles were well worth every minute of the trip, what majestic, awe inspiring formations they are. We found a chance to fly through chopper and visited this place in a Ariel view as well. The wild seas pound the base of each and the sheer cliffs are amazing. Despite the crowds, it was possible to experience the grandeur of this place and take lots of wonderful photos. Then we continued our trip to some nearby scenic view points and Heading back to Melbourne was through Colac, well sign posted on the...

My visit to the Twelve Apostles along the Great Ocean Road was an unforgettable experience. As I approached the viewing area, the vast ocean view opened up before me — towering limestone pillars standing proudly against the roaring waves of the Southern Ocean. It’s one of those moments that leaves you speechless, where nature’s beauty and power come together in perfect harmony.

These magnificent rock formations were formed around 10–20 million years ago, created by constant erosion from wind and sea that slowly carved the cliffs into caves, then arches, and eventually into the isolated stacks we see today. Interestingly, there were originally only nine stacks — not twelve — but the name “Twelve Apostles” was chosen for its biblical appeal. Over time, erosion continues to reshape the landscape, reminding us that nature is always evolving.

The visitor area is well-maintained with safe boardwalks, viewing platforms, and clear signboards explaining the geological history. The sunrise and sunset views are simply magical — the golden light transforms the cliffs and ocean into shades of orange and blue that are a photographer’s dream.

Visitor Tips: • The best time to visit is early morning or near sunset to avoid crowds and capture stunning light. • It can get very windy and chilly, so carry a warm jacket or windbreaker. • Don’t miss nearby spots like Gibson Steps, Loch Ard Gorge, and London Arch — all within a short drive. • There are toilets and a small visitor centre near the main car park, but no food outlets, so bring some water and snacks. • Allow at least 45 minutes to an hour to enjoy the views and take photos at your own pace.

Standing there, watching the waves crash against those majestic cliffs, I felt a deep sense of calm and wonder. The Twelve Apostles isn’t just a sightseeing stop — it’s a powerful reminder of time, endurance, and the beauty of...