THE TWELVE APOSTLES, GIBSON STEPS & THE BLOWHOLE
- Traveldriven
- May 31, 2020
- 5 min read
Updated: Jan 9
The Twelve Apostles over time dwindle in number. Due to wind, rain and waves. Recent collapses have occurred.
THE TWELVE APOSTLES
These are a collection of limestone stacks off the shore of Port Campbell National Park, by the Great Ocean Road in Victoria, Australia. The Twelve Apostles and the extended viewing platform and walkways are one of the most visited places in Australia.
There are five sea stacks in close proximity to one another and these may be seen from the official Twelve Apostles viewpoints. An additional sea stack collapsed in July 2005. If not self-driving full day bus tours are available from tour operators based in Melbourne. For a reference, bus tour pricing per adult is from ninety-five Australian dollars as of 2026.
TWELVE APOSTLES
& VIEWING AREA'S
Travelling from Melbourne to The Twelve Apostles via the Princes Highway is about 225 km and takes nearly three hours by car. The most scenic route is through the coastal towns of Lorne and Apollo Bay along the Great Ocean Road, and takes about four hours to drive the 300 km from Melbourne.
Seven of the original limestone stacks remain. The official viewpoint has a large bitumen surfaced parking area for cars and buses on the landward side of the Great Ocean Road. The area is extremely busy in peak periods. There are both a Tourist Information building combined with a café onsite. The building has toilets for visitors. There are plans for further expansion. The Twelve Apostles official viewing areas and other sites are completely free to attend as of early 2026.
WALKING TRACK TO
THE TWELVE APOSTLES
The Twelve Apostles walking track is accessed behind the café. This well maintained and surfaced pathway passes underneath the Great Ocean Road which is the only point offering shade from a hot sun or protection from rain along the entire walkway. Viewing lookouts are a fifteen-minute walk further along. One way. A wide and flat pathway leads to the viewing areas. The expanded Saddle Lookout viewing platform built in 2023 at a cost of nine million dollars does not extend over water or cliffs. However, there is slight platform movement felt underfoot when standing towards the seaward end.
Scenic helicopter flights are available from the Twelve Apostles in peak periods. These flights are taken from behind the Twelve Apostles vehicle parking areas.
WILDLIFE DANGERS OF
THE TWELVE APOSTLES
Dependant on time of year tourists may be bothered by persistent flies. Also, in the warm summer months and often at peak visitation times, numbers of tiny nipping insects may be encountered. If wearing lightly coloured clothing such as a white t-shirt or polo top these tiny insects can be seen in large numbers appearing as a small dark\green pinhead on clothing. These insects are often referred to as Midges. There are warning signs indicating venomous snakes may be sighted along the Twelve Apostles pathway. Experience suggests people would be unlucky to venture across a snake on the actual walkways. Still the risk is present. The main walkway is very wide so anything crossing can be easily bypassed. Koala, kangaroo and birds of prey are generally never seen in the vicinity of the Twelve Apostles. These animals may be seen at various points along the Great Ocean Road.
SADDLE LOOKOUT
TWELVE APOSTLES
ONE OF TWO WALKWAYS
BETWEEN OLD LOOKOUT &
NEW SADDLE LOOKOUT
SADDLE LOOKOUT
TWELVE APOSTLES
LOCH ARD GORGE
From the Twelve Apostles and driving towards Port Campbell, it's a short distance of a few kilometres to Loch Ard Gorge. Loch Ard Gorge and the short walks offering coastal views, (such as The Razorback) of cliffs and ocean is a very popular tourist spot. Above Loch Ard Gorge a stairway allows visitor access to a small sandy beach surrounded by vertical limestone cliffs on all sides via an opening to the sea. Loch Ard Gorge itself is the 1878 historical site of two shipwreck survivors.
THE RAZORBACK
THE BLOWHOLE
The Blowhole carpark and walkway is within one hundred metres of the larger Loch Ard Gorge carpark. From The Blowhole parking area, it is an easy five minute walk to the blowhole viewing platform. Even during peak tourist visitation times for the nearby Twelve Apostles, The Blowhole may experience few tourists. During 2025 The Blowhole viewing area was greatly expanded with a cost of more than six million dollars. Enabling visitors to experience up close and in complete safety the force of nature with foaming sea, sea spray and mist forced high into the air accompanied by a thundering roar. The blowhole viewing platform and structure partially encloses this open blowhole that is permanently filled with deep turbulent seawater. The actual blowhole is a circular rock structure perhaps thirty or so metres across with open seawater funnelled underneath large coastal rocky ground overhead. The entrance to the blowhole on the seaward side looks like a massive, sea-flooded cave. Seawater surges through to the large blowhole and retreats. Best viewed when the ocean is stormy or rough. On the rare days when the ocean is calm and there's minimal ocean swell; the impact on one's senses is negligible.
The Blowhole enclosure can cater to large visitation numbers and gives protection from rain and sun.
THE BLOWHOLE PLATFORM
SHAPED LIKE A BREAKING WAVE
THE BLOWHOLE & CAVE
THE BLOWHOLE & CALM SEAS
PORT CAMPBELL
The popular small seaside town of Port Campbell is about a ten minute drive from the Twelve Apostles. There is a swimming beach naturally shielded from rough surf, along with a fishing and boating jetty, various types of accommodations, and some retail options.
PORT CAMPBELL BEACH
GIBSON STEPS
A few minutes drive away, almost within viewing distance of the Twelve Apostles, nestled along the picturesque Great Ocean Road on the way to Apollo Bay, you will discover the breathtaking Gibson Steps. These steps, meticulously carved into the rugged cliffside, provide visitors with a unique opportunity to descend to the pristine beach below, offering a close encounter with the raw beauty of the coastline. As you navigate your way down the Gibson Steps from the clifftop carpark, numbering near the hundred, the sheer magnitude of the towering cliffs above and the vast expanse of the Southern Ocean stretching out before you create a truly awe-inspiring experience.
It is important to note that while the Gibson Steps offer a remarkable vantage point to witness the power of nature, swimming in the waters here is not recommended. The area is known for its strong rips and rough waters, making it unsafe for swimming. However, the dramatic scenery, the sound of waves crashing on the beach, and the feeling of standing at the intersection of land and sea make the Gibson Steps a must-visit destination for nature enthusiasts and photographers alike. Take a moment to breathe in the salty air, feel the cool ocean breeze on your skin, and marvel at the ancient geological formations that have been shaped by the elements over millions of years. A few of the Twelve Apostles may be viewed from the beach. There is also a longer walking track beginning from the Twelve Apostles.
Whether you are a seasoned traveller or a first-time visitor to this stunning region, the Gibson Steps offer a glimpse into the untamed beauty of Australia's southern coast. So, take your time to explore, immerse yourself in the natural wonders that surround you, and create memories that will last a lifetime in this captivating coastal paradise.
Attempting the Gibson Steps
Mobility issues & gradual improvement
Twelve Apostles and Philip Island
Tourists often would like to drive Philip Island to Twelve Apostles or vice versa. Underestimating the distance of more than 400 km and six hours with no stops via Melbourne. A more realistic time is at least seven to eight hours.
Alternate route of a Port Philip Bay car ferry crossing is perhaps more enjoyable and feasible. Via the Queenscliff\Sorrento car ferry.
Traveldriven
DRIVE TWELVE APOSTLES
- PHILLIP ISLAND
ENTER CLICK/TAP
Queenscliff\Sorrento car ferry
TWELVE APOSTLES LOOKOUT VIEW
TWO LIMESTONE SEA STACKS
SADDLE LOOKOUT
REMAINING SEA STACKS OF THE
TWELVE APOSTLES
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