The 12 Apostles
For decades, visitors from around the globe have flocked to the Great Ocean Road to witness one breathtaking attraction—the 12 Apostles. This iconic landmark, standing majestically against the rugged coastline, is undoubtedly the jewel in the crown of Victoria’s best-known road trip.
The 12 Apostles will take your breath away and leave you with memories and photographs never to forget. But the Great Ocean Road is so much more than just one key landmark. A stunning landscape with magnificent scenery, white sandy surf beaches, small coastal towns, communities rich in history and culture, and plenty of wildlife is just around the corner from the 12 Apostles.
Plan Your Visit
The closest town to stay in, complete with shops and cafes, is Port Campbell. Here, you’ll find a friendly Visitor Information Centre with knowledgeable locals eager to share insider tips and recommendations for your adventure.
The 12 Apostles are part of the Port Campbell National Park, stretching over 30 kilometres along the coast from Princetown to Peterborough. The 12 Apostles are about halfway between Princetown, the closest town, and Port Campbell,, this is a great place to find out the best things to see and do along this section of the Great Ocean Road.
Only eight of the original Apostles are left, although there are 30 rock formations along this stretch of the coastline. With continual erosion affecting the limestone stacks and cliffs, the number of rock stacks are likely to keep changing.
When is the best time to see the 12 Apostles?
Sunrise and sunset are generally the best time to visit them when the light reflects beautifully off the stacks. Sunset can get quite busy, so why not check them out first thing in the morning? Or for the more adventurous, tick something off from the bucket list and see the 12 Apostles from above on a 12 Apostles Helicopter tour.
You can even duck into the Port Campbell Visitor Information Centre and hire binoculars and other equipment to get a more in-depth experience.
What else is near the 12 Apostles?
Port Campbell National Park, where the 12 Apostles are located, stretches from Princetown to Peterborough and also offers many other amazing limestone formations.
Leave yourself plenty of time as there is a lot to see and do in the National Park! Take a short walk on the Princetown wetland boardwalk or hike the 7km section of the Great Ocean Walk from there to the 12 Apostles. A short 1km walk south of the Apostles are two impressive offshore stacks ‘Gog and Magog’ at the Gibson Steps. The magnitude of the cliff face and coastline here is humbling.
North-west of the 12 Apostles is the magnificent Loch Ard Gorge. This stop is a must for spectacular offshore stacks, blowholes and the indescribable scenery of formations including the Razorback, Island Arch and Thunder Cave. A short distance south-east of Peterborough is The Grotto, another beautiful spot to take a break and catch your breath – and for that classic photo.
Visiting the 12 Apostles?
There is no admission fee for the 12 Apostles, and the lookouts and walking trails are open 365 days a year from dawn to dusk. Consider staying overnight to see their incredible beauty at first light – also the quietest time of the day. From the large sealed car park, 300 metres of paths lead to the Visitor Centre, lookouts and walkways.
Several upgrades to viewing platforms have been made recently. The viewing provides a safer, more accessible and improved immersive experience for the millions that visit each year. It features wide paths, cantilevered viewing areas and a boardwalk looking across Gibson Steps beach. The design was led by the Eastern Maar community and has a ‘clapstick’ structure with colours of Ngayook (Sulphur Crested Cockatoo) and Ponponpoorramook (Red Tailed Black Cockatoo), which are primary totemic species to the Eastern Maar peoples.
Access information
- Large sealed car park with designated accessible parking spaces.
- 600m of sealed paths leading to accessible boardwalks and new accessible viewing areas by passing through or around the Visitor Centre.
- Prams and wheelchairs can access the lower viewing platform by following signs at the main lookout.
- Wheelchair accessible toilet open 24 hours at the Centre.
- Wheelchairs are available upon request from Kiosk staff between 10:00am and 5:00pm.
- The 12 Apostles kiosk is open from 10 – 5pm daily. When closed visitors will find cafe’s, restaurants, refreshments and shops available at nearby Port Campbell 12 km to the west of the site.
Location: Great Ocean Road (6km west of Princetown)
Length: 600m – 1.2km return
Time: 45 minutes
How long does it take to drive to the 12 Apostles from Melbourne?
The 12 Apostles are 275 kilometres from Melbourne, so about a 4-hour drive along the Great Ocean Road. This leg has so much to see, that you would be crazy to miss what the Surf Coast, Apollo Bay and the Otways have to offer along the way. So instead of visiting on a rushed eight-hour round trip, not including breaks and sightseeing stops, consider slowing down and staying a little longer to really experience the best of the region.
Extended Itinerary Options
The Great Ocean Road journey is so full of mesmerising seascapes, endless beaches, cliffs, a bountiful hinterland and gorgeous small towns, that visiting all its attractions could easily fill a holiday itinerary of a weekend, a week or more!
Once you have seen the 12 Apostles and the Port Campbell National Park, take the hinterland route home to discover even more. The inland route has you winding through dormant volcanoes like Mount Elephant and Mount Noorat, Australia’s largest dry volcanic crater, and historic goldfields. A completely different landscape from only a stone’s throw from the coast. If you have extra time, spend it in Timboon where you will want to stay so you have time to sample all of the tasty artisan treats.
The Great Ocean Road is rich in lakes, rivers and volcanic plains. Volcanic activity drastically changed the Victorian landscape thousands of years ago, so visitors today can explore biodiversity hotspots such as the Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve. Whether you want to go fishing, sit on the edge of a lake with your feet in the water or go kayaking, the variety of experiences has something for everyone.
The spectacular coastal scenery of this section of the Great Ocean Road is worth taking the time to see. Visiting the 12 Apostles is just one attraction of so many! Factor in at least two or three days to be sure you have plenty of time.
Get in touch with the friendly Port Campbell Visitor Information Centre team for more ideas about what to see and do along this stunning stretch of the coast. Talking to an experienced local will ensure you make the most of your journey and get expert help, so your visit becomes even more memorable, plus they know all the hidden secrets!