The Twelve Apostles (Victoria) facts for kids
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 The Twelve Apostles
Location in Corangamite Shire
Location within Shire of Corangamite and, inset, Victoria
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| Geography | |
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| Location | Near Port Campbell, Victoria |
| Coordinates | 38°39′57″S 143°06′16″E / 38.66583°S 143.10444°E |
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Australia
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| State | Victoria |
| LGA | Shire of Corangamite |
The Twelve Apostles are amazing limestone rock towers. They stand tall in the ocean near Port Campbell National Park in Victoria, Australia. You can see them from the famous Great Ocean Road.
These giant rocks are very close together. This makes them a super popular place for tourists to visit. Even though they are called the "Twelve Apostles," there were never actually 12 of them. Out of the original nine rock towers, only seven are still standing today. Six of these can be seen easily from the main viewing area.
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How the Twelve Apostles Were Formed
The Twelve Apostles are made of a type of rock called limestone. This limestone was formed a very long time ago, between 5 and 15 million years ago. It was laid down when the area was covered by ancient seas.
Ocean Waves Carve the Rocks
These tall rock stacks were created by the ocean. Strong waves from the Southern Ocean constantly hit the cliffs. Over millions of years, the waves slowly wore away the soft limestone.
First, the waves carved out caves in the cliffs. As the waves kept crashing, these caves grew bigger and turned into natural arches. Eventually, the top of these arches collapsed. This left behind the tall rock towers we see today. Some of these towers can be as high as 50 m (160 ft) (about 164 feet).
Changes Over Time
The rock stacks are still being worn away by the waves. In July 2005, one of the 50-metre-tall (160 ft) stacks fell into the ocean. This left only eight standing. Another one collapsed in 2009, leaving seven stacks.
Because the ocean keeps eroding the cliffs, new rock stacks might form in the future. The parts of the cliff that stick out into the sea could become new towers over a very long time.
The Name of the Rocks
The rock formations have had a few different names over the years. They were once called the Pinnacles, or the Sow and Pigs. Muttonbird Island was the "Sow," and the smaller rocks were the "Piglets."
The name "Twelve Apostles" was chosen later. It was picked to attract more visitors, even though there were never actually 12 stacks. The name refers to the Apostles of Jesus.
Protecting the Area
In 2002, there was a plan to create the Twelve Apostles Marine National Park. This park would help protect the ocean and sea life around the rocks. Some local fishermen were worried about this at first.
Later, the government decided to stop certain activities, like searching for oil, near the site. This was a good decision because it helps keep the marine life safe.
Recognizing Traditional Owners
In March 2023, an important decision was made. The Federal Court of Australia officially recognized the Eastern Maar people. They are the traditional owners of a large area of land in Victoria. This area includes the Twelve Apostles. This decision means their long connection to the land is now formally recognized.
See also
- Gibson Steps
- London Bridge
- Loch Ard Gorge
