Experience the awesome natural beauty of the world-famous Twelve Apostles. Rising abruptly from the tempestuous Southern Ocean, these seven limestone stacks are the highlight of the Great Ocean Road. They are best viewed at sunset when the yellow rock turns red, orange and every shade in between.
The Twelve Apostles is one of Australia's most popular attractions all year round. You'll be lucky to have the lookouts to yourself, but there are likely to be much fewer people if you arrive earlier or later in the day.
If you time it right, you can view the rock stacks in their best light – at sunset. In the summer, the sun sets further out to sea, while in the winter, the sun sets closer to shore. If the clouds stay away, you’re guaranteed a memorable photographs. Get snapping and admire the results over an evening meal in nearby Port Campbell.
At dusk you may see Little Penguins coming ashore on the beach far below. the tiny tracks in the sand show where they waddle back to their burrows safe from foxes, cats and dogs.
Things to do in the area
The Twelve Apostles can be seen as seven limestone rock stacks. Six of them are visible in the classic view enjoyed by millions of people every the year, while the seventh is located several metres away from the corner of the main viewing platform.
There were never 12 rock stacks here, and they were not always called the Apostles - Sow and Piglets did not remain as a name for long. There were nine rock stacks at the beginning of the 21st century. Then at 9:18am on 3 July 2005, one of them collapsed. Another collapsed in 2009.
The rough waves not only destroy ‘Apostles’, or rock stacks, but they form them too. The arches and bridges you will see along this stretch of coast will one day collapse and become stacks which will in turn collapse back into the ocean from where they came.

Gibson Steps
Loch Ard Gorge
London Bridge

The Grotto
Discover an underwater world
How to get there
Twelve Apostles
When you're there
The Twelve Apostles Kiosk offers a selection of items to enhance your visit to this breathtaking location.
We have a range of hot and cold drinks, including coffee and tea. Indulge in our tempting assortment of local produce from local businesses. Don't forget to take home a piece of the experience with our wonderful selection of gifts and souvenirs.
For those looking for a quick bite to eat, we also offer a small range of hot and cold food options to satisfy your cravings.
We also provide essential items like sunscreen, hats, and umbrellas for purchase.
The kiosk operates 7 days a week from 10:00am until 5:00pm.
Visitors must park in the carpark and walk to the Twelve Apostles lookouts along the well-marked path. A separate well-signposted trail leads to Gibson Steps. Walk the 1km to Gibson Steps where you can usually access a beach at low tide - and a fantastic view of two rock stacks called Gog and Magog. Allow about an hour for this side-trip. The Great Ocean Walk multi-day hike ends at the Twelve Apostles
Download the Port Campbell National park visitor guide for more information about the park and the plethora of experiences to be had within its borders.
Twelve Apostles
Need to know
Twelve Apostles
Accessibility
Visiting a park can be more of a challenge for people with disabilities, however in Victoria there are a wide range of facilities to help people of all abilities enjoy our wonderful parks around the state.
To make it easier for people with limited mobility to see the all abilities access and experiences on offer at Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge walks, Parks Victoria has released this video - produced and narrated by accessibility advocate Ryan Smith, who uses a wheelchair.
Assistance dogs are welcome in Parks Victoria parks and reserves. Entry requirements apply for parks and reserves that are usually dog prohibited, such as national parks.
Tread lightly as the coast is fragile and your safety matters. Stick to marked trails to avoid injury, and to protect the delicate coastal vegetation and wildlife that call the park home.
Change of Conditions
Nature being nature, sometimes conditions can change at short notice. It’s a good idea to check this page ahead of your visit for any updates.
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Loch Ard Gorge (Port Campbell National Park)
Loch Ard Gorge beach access closure
Beach access is closed due to dangerous cliff movement near the Upper Lookout, which could cause a collapse.
Geotechnical specialists have assessed the site and we will work with a contractor to make the steps safe again.
We aim to re-open access to Loch Ard Gorge in spring 2023.Other walks in this area remain open. -
Twelve Apostles (Port Campbell National Park)
Saddle Lookout - access change
From mid-September 2021 there will be no access to the Saddle and Castle Rock viewing areas while a new lookout is being built.
Visitors can continue to enjoy the other lookouts, boardwalks and visitor areas at the Twelve Apostles and the other spectacular visitor sites in the Port Campbell National Park.For more information https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/projects/western-victoria/saddle-lookout -
Notices Affecting Multiple Parks
Seasonal road closures 2023
Seasonal road closures apply to areas within and tracks bordering this park from 15 June 2023. See MapshareVic for locations of the closures. Visit the seasonal road closures page for more information -
Notices Affecting Multiple Sites
Great Ocean Walk - walking event
- A permitted walking event from Cape Otway in the Great Otway National Park to the Twelve Apostles in the Port Campbell National park will be taking place on the Great Ocean Walk on Saturday 28 & Sunday the 29 October 2023.
- The group of approximately 100 walkers will be walking in small groups of 10 starting from around 9am at the Cape Otway Light station.
- The group has booked and is staying overnight at the Johanna beach campground, on Saturday 28 October.
- No Great Ocean Walk campgrounds are being used, including at the Johanna Great Ocean Walk camp site.
- The group will be shuttled from Johanna Beach to Moonlight Head to finish their walk on Sunday concluding at the Twelve Apostles in the Port Campbell National Park approximately 3pm.
- The event is weather dependant.
- For more information or concerns please call 131963.