The 12 Apostles is a set of limestone structures that jut out of the ocean. They make one of the most iconic views along the Great Ocean Road. They are one of the most famous parts of Australia. But how were they formed?
The Twelve Apostles have formed at the hands of harsh erosion. This has formed large limestone structures which stand dramatically out of the sea.
These rocks were formed over 20 million years ago. Despite their name, there are not 12 Apostles. There are 7 different rock structures.
They used to be called the ‘Pig and Sorrow.’ Now they’ve changed their name to the Twelve Apostles, to attract more tourists. This tactic has worked very well because over 2 million tourists come to see the attraction. It is now the third most visited attraction in Australia after Uluru and the Great Barrier Reef.
The formation of the 12 Apostles
It might surprise you to learn that the Great Ocean Road is made of billions of tiny animal skeletons!
Millions of years ago, the Great Ocean Road used to be covered in ocean. The minuscule bones and skeletal remains of this marine life gathered on the bottom of the ocean.
Gradually, this biological sediment collected together and formed limestone. This limestone acts as the base for each of the rock formations.
When the ocean level further decreased, the wind, water and erosion gradually wore away at the limestone. The Southern Coast of Australia faces some pretty intense winds. This has made the whole coast appear rugged and rocky. The forceful waves, alongside the intense winds, have slowly made these structures become the big giant rocks that they are today.
When they were separated from the mainland, there were bridge-shaped islands that connected the stacks to the mainland. Gradually over time, the sea levels have lowered even further.
This has caused the rocks to jut out from the sea level even more dramatically. Eventually, the waves eroded the ‘bridge’ part of the limestone even further. This has caused each rocky structure to break apart from the mainland.
Visiting the 12 Apostles
This unique natural phenomenon has created the 12 Apostles, which is easily one of the most iconic scenes in Victoria. Tourists flock to snap photos of this incredible view every year, and it’s a very popular spot to see the sunrise or sunset.
The best way to see the 12 Apostles is to do a tour from Melbourne!
Managing Director at Sightseeing Tours Australia
Cameron Ward turned his travel passion into a thriving Australian tourism business. Before he co-founded his own business, Sightseeing Tours Australia, he was enjoying being a Melbourne tour guide. Even now, Cameron delights in helping visitors from all around the world get the most out of their incredible Australian trip. You’ll see Cameron leading tours or writing about his favourite Australian places where he shares his local insights.