Otway Coastal Villas situated in Princetown only 5 minutes away from the Twelve Apostles in Australia.
Twelve Apostles Marine National Park
In 2002 the Twelve Apostles Marine National Park was established.
75 km sq. and covering 17km of the Victorian coastline, the spectacular formations are not just to be found above the waterline. Incredible underwater scenery with arches, fissures, and reefs make up much of the spectacular environment beneath the Southern Ocean.
What are the Twelve Apostles in Australia?
The 12 Apostles are an Australian icon. The Ocean Road drive is likened to the coastal road of California and often ‘declared’ the best road trip in the world, rather overstated perhaps, is there any such thing as ‘the best road trip’ in the world? It is fabulous, it is dramatic and it is worth visiting though.
Limestone pillars, once connected to the cliffs of the Port Campbell National Park, rise out of the sea. Carved out over many thousands of years through the natural forces of nature, firstly as caves, then into arches and eventually becoming the limestone stacks we see today.
Further along the coastline, ‘The Arch’, ‘London Bridge’ , ‘ The Grotto’ and ‘Bay of Martyrs’ are more reminders of how the coast constantly changes.
Where are the 12 Apostles?
The 12 Apostles are located within the Port Campbell National Park, Victoria. The distance from Melbourne: 227.5 km / 2 hours 50 minutes on the fastest possible route or 277 km / 4 hours 25 minutes on the scenic coastal drive (definitely the best option). These times are driving only, without any stops.
How many of the 12 Apostles are left?
There are now six of the 12 Apostles rock formations that can be seen from the main viewing platform.
From the other end of the viewing area, two more stacks can be seen along Gibson’s Beach, but these are not part of the ‘official’ count as they are known as Gog and Magog.
We do not actually have Twelve Apostles, it is all a bit confusing as to which ones are ‘officially’ called the 12 Apostles as opinions differ.
The crumbled remains of two of the rock stacks can be seen from the viewing platform and some are out of sight.
It goes without saying that the experience is still amazing regardless and a trip down the Great Ocean Road to the 12 Apostles is certainly worthwhile and the most popular road trip in Australia.
There are more of the limestone rock stacks along what is known as ‘The Shipwreck Coast’, including some smaller ones in the Bay of Islands Coastal Park further along towards the town of Warrnambool.
