The Twelve Apostles have diminished to eight, when the fourth one collapsed on July 3rd, 2005. However, I am not even sure that there were originally 12 of them. The extensive area of car parking is position exactly opposite the rock structures. Viewing area (free entry) can be reached through a tunnel constructed under the Great Ocean Road. You can opt to look at the apostles from the wide walkway on the crests of the mountains or hire a scenic aircraft to watch the magnificent Twelve Apostles. Ask the tour operator for discounts offered in particular months of the year for aircraft tours.

You can reach the Twelve Apostles by driving on the scenic path of Great Ocean Road which is a pleasurable route for driving tourists. The labyrinth of arches, caverns, and canyons can be found below the water of these massive apostles. It’s a home to vivid reef fishes, vibrant seaweed, corals, and the rare Australian Fur Seal. The caves formed at the foot of the apostles also shelters little penguins that can be seen from the viewing platform of the twelve apostles during the dawn of dusk.

The vegetation here is low coastal grassland, allowing unobstructed views of the miraculous formations. Dawn and dusk are the best times to capture these eight remaining apostles on your camera. If you are not interest in looking at even eight of them, you can visit the neighboring Arches Marine Sanctuary that preserves vast variety of aqua life including 17 rare species of fishes. There is Merri Marine Sanctuary, Bay of Islands Coastal Park, and Port Campbell National Park located very close to the Twelve Apostles.

The Twelve Apostle Marine National Park is over 7 km east of the Port Campbell. This area is also called as ‘Shipwreck Coast’ because the waves here is responsible for sinking innumerable ships. To protect the park from the hazardous of human behavior, fishing, spearing, netting, and killing of any marine creature is prohibited in this and surrounding area.

If you intend to drive toward the Twelve Apostles through the Great Ocean Road, it’s a 281 km ride from Melbourne. However, it’s just 245 km away through Princes Highway. But the views offered by the former one are incomparable.