Twelve Apostles

The basics

A majority of the tours to the Twelve Apostles are full-day tours leaving from Melbourne in the early morning. There are many stops and photo opportunities along the way as you drive down the Great Ocean Road, such as Loch Ard Gorge, Apollo Bay, and Port Campbell. Discover the native wildlife, such as koalas and kangaroos, and learn about the local indigenous culture. For those who want a bird’s-eye view, take a helicopter tour over the Victorian coast.

Things to know before you go

• The Twelve Apostles can be viewed from the viewpoint above or down on the beach, reached via the Gibson Steps.

• The Great Ocean Road can be very chilly due to the strong winds from the Southern Ocean, so it’s best to dress in layers.

• The Twelve Apostles Visitor Facility, located across the B100 highway, has an information center, restrooms and a drinking fountain (with wheelchair accessibility), a large parking area, and a small cafe.

How to get there

For those who would like to road trip on their own, drive along the coastal B100 highway to reach the Twelve Apostles. Visitors can also rent a bike or book a cycling tour to explore the Great Ocean Road at their own pace. For the truly adventurous, the 65-mile (104-kilometer) Great Ocean Walk from Apollo Bay to the Twelve Apostles may be of interest.

When to get there

The Twelve Apostles is one of the most popular attractions in Australia. Avoid the large crowds from tourist buses by getting to the rock formations in the early morning or late afternoon. Alternatively, if you drive inland to get to the site, and then take the Great Ocean Road back to Melbourne, it's generally a less crowded route.

The Shipwreck Coast

The Bass Strait was once a very busy shipping route, bringing supplies and immigrants to Melbourne from all over the world. But the waters were quite treacherous during bad weather. This resulted in upwards of 700 ships meeting a bitter end along this coastline, some of which can still be seen today between Port Fairy and Cape Otway.

Ways to explore

The Twelve Apostles, combined with nearby coastal sights such as Loch Ard Gorge and the Gibson Steps, make up the main focus of visits to the Great Ocean Road. While you only need half a day to see these landmarks, the long return drive from Melbourne makes this a full-day trip. Book a guided tour to leave the driving to someone else and keep your focus on the sightseeing, taking photos along the way. You can also book helicopter flights for views of the Twelve Apostles and the coast that few people get to enjoy.

Accessibility

The path from the visitor center and the viewpoints are wheelchair and stroller accessible. The visitor center has a drop-off point and accessible parking spaces.

Age limits

All ages are welcome, though young children should be supervised at the viewpoints for their safety.

What to pack

Camera, sunscreen, hats that won’t blow off

What to wear

Comfortable shoes, layers when visiting in the early morning or evening

Not allowed

Non-service animals, camping, drones

Amenities

Food kiosk, gift shop, restrooms

Address

The Twelve Apostles are situated near the end of the Great Ocean Road outside the town of Port Campbell. The only realistic alternative to getting there by car is to join a guided tour leaving from Melbourne.

Driving

When driving to the Twelve Apostles from Melbourne, first take the M1 toward Geelong, and then you can either take the quicker route through Colac on the M1 or the scenic B100 coastal road via Lorne and the Great Ocean Road.

Public transportation

While it is possible to reach the Twelve Apostles by public transportation from Melbourne, in reality, it’s too slow to work for a day trip. Taking a train from Melbourne to Geelong and then the bus to Warrnambool adds up to six hours of traveling one way.

Best times to visit

Sunrise and sunset offer the best views and photo opportunities of the coast, but sunset and the afternoon hours are always much busier with tour groups coming through. Arrive early for easier access to a good spot.

Best days to visit

Weekdays—particularly Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays—are generally a little quieter than the weekends.

Best months to visit

The summer months of December and January are always the busiest time on the Great Ocean Road. Wait until around March or April, if you can, for fewer people and earlier sunsets and later sunrises.

Special events

Winter may be typically cold and rainy, but it’s right in the middle of Victoria’s whale-watching season, from May to September.