Twelve Apostles in Australia
Famous Rocks on Great Ocean Road are A Must-See
Australia's scenic Twelve Apostles on the Great Ocean Road can be seen as a day trip from Melbourne or as a stop on a longer journey in Victoria.
Australia's Great Ocean Road is a Scenic Treat
The Great Ocean Road is a beautiful drive along the south coast of Australia in the State of Victoria. The road starts at Torquay, located about 100 kilometres (64 miles) west of Melbourne, just south of the city of Geelong.
Most of the Great Ocean Road follows the coast, giving breathtaking views along the way. Some visitors go partway along, as a day trip from Geelong, while others drive the full length, continuing on toward Adelaide.
The Great Ocean Road is renowned for its scenery, but it is not a shortcut! It is a two-lane, winding road meant for pleasant sightseeing, not racing.
The Twelve Apostles Are A Famous Australian Landmark
No longer twelve (were there ever?), the Twelve Apostles are rock columns that over the centuries have become separated from the mainland cliffs through erosion. The tallest is about 50 metres high, compared to the 70 metre high cliffs close by. In 2005, one of the apostles feel into the sea, a reminder that the waves are still eating away at the rocks daily.
Everywhere you go in Australia, the tourist shops will have postcards of the Twelve Apostles, and they are truly beautiful.
Accessibility of the Twelve Apostles
The Twelve Apostles are located inside Port Campbell National Park. Parks Victoria has full details of all the Park's features. The Great Ocean Road and the Twelve Apostles are very popular attractions. There is plenty of signage and every tourist stop has information.
At the Twelve Apostles site itself, there is a visitor centre built to resemble a whale. Inside there are some displays about the area, and washrooms equipped to handle many people. The large parking lot across the road has some designated accessible parking spaces, and there is a set-down area at the visitor centre.
A wide path leads from the visitor centre to the viewing area. This wheelchair accessible walkway passes by some interpretive signage identifying the local birds and plants. There is some seating along the way.
Getting There
By car from Melbourne, the shorter way to go is via the Princes Highway, about three hours to go 250 kilometres. The more scenic Great Ocean Road is a five hour drive from Melbourne, although the first part is on the Princes Highway.
There are bus tours travelling to the Twelve Apostles regularly in the tourist season. Individual operators vary in their ability to accommodate passengers with wheelchairs. An attendant may be required if there is any lifting involved, depending upon the company.
Multi-Day Trips
A stop at the Twelve Apostles is an excellent part of a longer journey along the Great Ocean Road. Near the seaside town of Apollo Bay there is a place with a purpose-built wheelchair-accessible cabin, called Fish Eye Nine, which looks particularly promising.
Copyright Jill Browne.
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