For those with time to spare, a day trip to the 12 Apostles will not only provide you with great views but also with nature’s wonders and remarkable ocean views. Spread out across the Great Ocean Road in Victoria, this unique set of limestone stacks is an impressive example of Mother nature’s breathtaking talent. Be you a photographer, nature enthusiasts, or in the mood for a fulfilling road trip, the 12 Apostles and the places around guarantee an exciting and unforgettable trip. This guide will enable you to plan your day effectively, stating all the important information and informing you what to see.
The History of the 12 Apostles
The 12 Apostles or Sow and Piglets as they are sometimes called, are a group of great limestone formations shaped by the power of the Southern Ocean for thousands of years. These eye-catching rock formations are erosion remnants of the prostrate coastal limestone cliff distal to the ocean. Despite their name, only about eight of these rock structuring units exist today because of erosion. This limestone structure got the name ‘12 Apostles’ in the mid-1950s and has become a well-known landmark in Victoria with great beauty along the shipwreck coast of Victoria.
Getting There
It is quite easy to get to the 12 Apostles if you plan a little. The 12 Apostles are a perfect day trip, where you can travel from Melbourne or other cities as they are located along the Great Ocean Road. This drive is a nice beautiful tour where you have a good view of the ocean and other features during the drive. From Meyer, you can enjoy a straight route drive without any traffic for about 3 hours with the inclusion of other stops at seaside towns including Apollo Bay and Port Campbell. It would be beneficial to hire a vehicle or go on a 12 Apostles tour as there are very few public buses. If you want to get more out of your tour, you can also hire an experienced and local tour guide.
Scenic Coastal Roads to Take
Getting the 12 Apostles is as much fun as experiencing the 12 apostles. The Great Ocean Road features some famous coastlines including some beautiful beaches such as Bells Beach, Lorne, a lovely little town by the coast and Kennett river calm and quiet rivers. This panoramic drive incorporates the rain forests, sun-kissed surfing beaches, and steep cliffs leaving plenty of time for spectacular views and scenic breaks. On the drive, the famous Apostles lookouts are classic viewpoints offering amazing opportunities to photograph the magnificent rock structures and deep blue seas.
How Long Will the Great Ocean Road Drive Take?
The distance travelled through the Great Ocean Road constitutes around 243 kilometres, and without any intermissions or halts, it takes about 3 to 4 hours to drive through. These 3 to 4 hours may not be the best length of time to enjoy the site, and so one is urged, if they can afford the time, to spend a day making the trip, stretching it. This lets you take your time in visiting different places of interest including the Gibson Steps, Loch Ard Gorge, and the magnificent Razorback, without any pressure plus or minus breaks for food and gentle drives through picturesque towns such as Port Fairy and Lavers Hill.
The Best Time to Visit the 12 Apostles
What contributes to your enjoyment at the 12 Apostles is more importantly the timing of your visit. The best time to visit is during the shoulder seasons of spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May) when the weather is pleasant and tourist crowds are lesser. Unlike most areas where summer is said to be the busiest season, this region can be busy, along with wamer temperatures and longest-hour daylight, where people may wish to linger around longer to take delights of what the flora and beaches has to offer. It is advisable to keep up to date with the weather and carry a raincoat just in case as these clothes also come in handy when their weather changes quite abruptly.
What Else to See & Do
In addition to the 12 Apostles, the Great Ocean Road area has much more to offer in terms of experiences and attractions that will enhance your trip. Have a look at the natural attractions that the Port Campbell National Park possesses, which includes amazing cliffs and some coastal walks. The Loch Ard Gorge, a picturesque place with deep shipwreck stories, and Gibson Steps where the rock cut stairs take you down to the soft sandy beaches to get closer to the overwhelming stack rocks. Also, the Island Archway and the Grotto are one of the beautiful places, capturing the wonderful variations of nature in this region.
For those who want a complete experience, opt for a helicopter ride above the 12 apostles for an aerial view of the amazing stone works with blue water. This thrilling activity provides new outlooks and possibilities for pictures that you won’t get elsewhere. You can also go to a number of other sites such as the Otway National Park and its rainforest or the Grampians National Park. Animal lovers can go and see native animals in the wildlife park, including cute koalas and wild koalas in the real environment.
Relish A 12 Apostles Helicopter Tour Flying Over
Flying in a helicopter for a short benchmark over the 12 Apostles structure is one great way of appreciating the beauty of the limestone stack structures. As an adrenaline sporting activity, this opens up the entire coastline, giving one a bird’s eye view of the magnificence and site of the stacked rocks. The helicopter pathway helps in enhancing the views of the Southern Ocean directly below as well as the relatively clearer blue water around the 12 Apostles. It is best that such a helicopter is booked a day before the excursion so that there are no challenges in availability and one is able to pick a flight to suit their plans. Rest assured, this is the experience you are going to fondly remember a day trip that provides wonderful memories and magnificent pictures.
Visit the Loch Ard Gorge
The Loch Ard Gorge is dramatic and important in history since it is close to the 12 Apostles rock formation. This beautiful location gets its name from the shipwreck of Loch Ard in 1878. The gorge has a beautiful bay with fine sand, steep rocky banks and clean azure water, which is convenient for relaxation. The regional includes several more interesting landmarks – Razorback and the Island Archway. You can also walk along the coastal portions of the forest, powered by the stunning views of the Southern Ocean. The historical shipwreck is relayed in the visitor centre and the features of the locality are appreciated through an informative display.
The Gibson Steps
The Gibson Steps present an exciting chance to walk right up to the loose limestone cliffs of the 12 Apostles. This short, albeit steep, trek leads hikers down to a seemingly cherry environment with direct access to magnificent beach vistas unlike any other where visitors have a view of the rocky formations. The steps provide stunning views of the rock stacks and their coastline, hence, scenic routes and positions are well known to photo enthusiasts. The stunning cliff-lined coastline’s southern direction provides our lunch spot and a wonderful view of the Southern Ocean, beyond the cliffs.
The Razorback
A natural formation of razor back stands tall near the 12 apostles known cultural landmark. This is ‘a thin, high piece of rock that goes out over the sea like the blade of a razor. Crisp views of the surrounding landscape rewarded disgruntled, photographers who longed to capture the scenic image of ship wreck coast. In a relatively short distance from apostle car park one can take a brief walk along this rugged natural formation known as Razorback.
London Bridge
London Bridge is an iconic part of a rock formation known as the natural bridge rock, which was full until the truncation of a part in 1990. The other rock towers remain one of the most famous sites with breathtaking sights of the Southern Ocean and the rocky coastline. Facilities such as a viewing deck on this site allow one to have good views and learn all the details concerning the history of the fall. Natural arches collapsed, and London Bridge was one of the best views of the natural powers erasing today’s photos.
See Shipwrecks For Yourself
The Shipwreck Coast is where the 12 Apostles are located and this coastal region has some of the roughest waters and enormous shipwrecks through out history. The heart of the peopled the region contains what many put as a maritime legend in the form of shipwrecks. Take a trip to the visitor centre to learn more about the shipwrecks and the remarkable feats of the survivors of the shipwrecks. The shipwreck trail provides an additional framework for the history of the Great Lakes and surrounds.
Visit The Grotto
The Grotto, which can be found on the Great Ocean Road, is a most attractive rock structure. This natural emblem incorporates a marvelous archway as well as a calm blue pool so that visually it is very attractive. The Grotto is only a short distance from the car park. There is a viewpoint on the walkway from where the beautiful impossibly large natural stone formation can be photographed. The areas surrounding The Grotto are quite serene and quite ideal for taking a short break and gazing at the gorgeous scenery around you.
Explore The Island Archway
The Island Archway is yet another incredible rock formation on your way to the 12 Apostles. This natural arch is one of the several holes in the entire rock landscape that has been carved clean cut out by winds of the Southern Ocean. There are no restrictions on climbing up the archway as thare is parking structure near that the arch and it is surrounded with gorgeous coastline. You can take your time on the shoreline promenade and enjoy this iconic place in all its splendor.
Conclusion
A day excursion to the twelve apostles is a very scenic, wonderful and enjoyable experience to those who embark on it. There is something to enjoy in all the beautiful and charming limestone fabulously layered formations, the coastlines, and the beautiful seasides. Cliffs, helicopter rides, and other splendor in the 12 Apostles and its sites create a magnificent day excursion. Be strategic and purposeful in taking this trip to this famous site and you will not forget the memories of the beautiful landmarks along the Victorian Coast.
FAQ
How long is the drive from Melbourne to the Twelve Apostles?
Usually, the drive from Melbourne to the 12 apostles takes around 3 to 4 hours. You may need to take more time to stop and enjoy scenic views while on the Great Ocean Road.
At what season can one be able to see the twelve apostles?
Best times are, spring (September to November) or autumn (March to May) when there are mild temperature and few tourists.
Are there any organized visits to the Twelve Apostles?
There are indeed, a variety of one day excursions and driving attempts with or without a tour guide who will make your trip more informative with local history and facts.
Is there helicopter ride available over the Twelve Apostles?
Heaven forbid! Helicopter trips are probably the best way to see the 12 Apostles and the coastline. This is the best way to see how these famous stacks of rocks encompass the entire island.
What other attractions can be found close to the twelve apostles?
Nearby attractions include: Loch Ard Gorge, the Gibson Steps, the Razorback, London Bridge and The Grotto. All these sites present extra chances to discover amazing views of the Southern Ocean and the coast.