Twelve Apostles

Introduction

12 apostles victoria ocean drive

© rea-neill

The Twelve Apostles are one of Australia's most iconic attractions, a collection of limestone stacks rising out of the sea along the southern coast of Victoria, Australia. They are located along the Great Ocean Road between the towns of Princetown and Port Campbell.

The Twelve Apostles, which were so named in the 1950s (they were previously known as the Sow and Piglets), have been formed by erosion. In 2005, one of the Apostles collapsed, leaving eight behind.

It is not possible to walk onto any of the Apostles, but there are boardwalks, tracks and viewing points offering great views. There are also helicopter rides, which pass over the Apostles.

Opening Hours

There are no opening and closing hours for viewing the Twelve Apostles. You can park at the parking lot and walk from there at any point of the day.

The best time to visit is around dawn or dusk. It's hard to completely avoid the crowds, especially in peak season, because this is one of Victoria's most popular attractions.

Cost

It is free to enjoy the view, unless you decide to pay for a helicopter ride.

Getting There

Base of one of the Twelve Apostles

© Sander

By Train

There are no train services leading past the Twelve Apostles. From Geelong and Warrnambool, there are bus connections along the Great Ocean Road with V/Line. See "By Bus" for more information.

By Car

The Twelve Apostles are located along the Great Ocean Road, between Princetown and Port Campbell. From Melbourne, it's about a 3 and a half hour trip.

There is a quicker, less scenic route as well. Instead of going along the Great Ocean Road, drive inland from Geelong to Colac along the Princes Highway, then drive south to the Great Ocean Road along the Gellibrand River Road. This route should take around 2:40 hours.

By Bus

From Melbourne, V/Line operates services connecting several places along the Great Ocean Road, past the Twelve Apostles and onto Warrnambool. This service leaves Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9:00 am (check the website for the current timetable) from Southern Cross Station, Melbourne. It stops for half an hour at the Twelve Apostles, so a better option is to book accommodation in nearby Princetown or Port Campbell and enjoy the Twelve Apostles and other nearby sights at leisure.

If you're coming from the other direction, V/Line has services from Mount Gambier, Hamilton and Portland to Warrnambool, from where there are services to Melbourne along the Great Ocean Road on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

By Boat

There are no regular, scheduled passenger services to the Twelve Apostles or nearby towns.

By Helicopter or Plane

There are a number of companies offering plane and helicopter rides over the Apostles:

• The Edge Helicopters, 12 Apostles Information Centre / Car Park. Phone: 03 5598 8283. Helicopter rides over the 12 Apostles, Port Campbell, London Bridge, Bay of Islands and Cape Otway. Costs $80-$90 per person.
• Tiger Moth World, Torquay Airport, 325 Blackgate Road, Torquay. Phone: 03 5261 5100. Offer scenic flights along the Great Ocean Road to the 12 Apostles, departing from Torquay or Apollo Bay. Costs $180-$300 per person.
• Apollo Bay Aviation, Building 2, Apollo Bay Airport. Phone: 03 5237 7600. Offer plane flights over 12 Apostles, Great Ocean Road, Bay of Islands, King Island, Three Hummock Island, North West Tasmania and Otway National Park. Costs $140-$190 per person.
• Geelong Aviation, 465 Surfcoast Highway, Mount Duneed. Phone: 03 5264 1273. Offer scenic flights to the 12 Apostles and elsewhere along the coast. Costs $210-$280 per person.

Eat

While there isn't anything in the way of food at the Twelve Apostles, Port Campbell has a range of cafés and restaurants. There is also a pub/takeaway place in Princetown with decent food.

London Bridge

© KoalaGirl

Drink

As with places to eat, you need to go to Port Campbell or Princetown if you're looking for somewhere to have a few drinks. Please note that the latter only has the one pub, so if you want options, head to Port Campbell.

Sleep

There are many guesthouses, apartments, hostels and other accommodation options near the Twelve Apostles and in Port Campbell and Princetown.

Budget

• Port Campbell Hostel, 18 Tregea St, Port Campbell.
• The 13th Apostle, 5 Post Office Road, Princetown. Phone: 03 5598 8062 . A simple, clean hostel.
• Apostles Camping Park & Cabins/Princetown General Store, Post Office Road, Princetown. Phone: 03 5598 8119.
• Port Campbell Cabin & Camping Park, Morris St, Port Campbell. Phone: 03 5598 6492.
• Great Ocean Road Tourist Park, Great Ocean Road, Peterborough. Phone: 03 5598 5477.

Mid-Range

• Port Campbell Motor Inn, 12 Great Ocean Road, Port Campbell. Phone: 03 5598 6222.
• Willow Glen Retreat, Timboon Road, Scotts Creek. Phone: 03 5595 9277.
• Glenample Farmstay Self-Contained Cottage, Simpsons Road, Princetown. Phone: 03 5598 8237.
• Great Ocean Road Beachfront Motel, 9 Irvine Street, Peterborough. Phone: 03 5598 5251.
• Port Campbell Shearwater Haven B&B, 3 Pleasant Dve, Port Campbell. Phone: 03 5598 6532.
• Arabella Country House Princetown, 7219 Great Ocean Road, Princetown. Phone: 03 5598 8169.
• Port Campbell Sunsets B&B, 2575 Cobden - Port Campbell Rd, Port Campbell. Phone: 03 5598 6144.

Upscale

• Southern Ocean Villas, 2-6 McCue Street, Port Campbell. Phone: 03 5598 4200.
• Heytesbury Ridge Vineyard Retreat, 1170 Cooriemungle Road, Timboon. Phone: 03 5598 7394.
• Grand Central B&B, Cnr Victoria & Parrott Sts, Cobden. Phone: 03 5595 1881.