12 Apostles

The Twelve Apostles are a collection of limestone stacks off the shore of the Port Cambell National Park. Their proximity to one another is what has made it such a tourist attraction. Originally the site was called the Sow and Piglets. Muttonbird Island near Loch Ard Gorge was the ‘Sow’ and the smaller rock stacks the ‘Piglets.’ The name was changed in the 1950s to present name recalling the biblical The Twelve Apostles.

Apparently this was done to lure more visitors, but despite the name there are not twelve individual stacks visible in any one location.

It was soooo windy and cold that James only stood out there for about 15 minutes. Just long enough for the sun to come out.

Creation of the Apostles

Existing headlands will eventually become new limestone stacks in the future.

1. Wave action erodes the cliff face, leaving harder rock as headlands.

2. Waves eat away the rock at sea level, forming caves on each side of the headland. The caves eventually meet up, forming an arch.

3. The arch collapses, leaving a rock stack.

4. Further undercutting by waves and opening up of vertical cracks in the rock by rain and saltwater, gradually reduce the stack to a low platform or reef.

Erosion of the Apostles

The stacks have been formed by erosion and are all different heights and thicknesses. A number have fallen over entirely as waves continually erode their bases.

Other well-known features in Port Campbell National Park created by erosion are the London Arch (Which fell just before i got here) and the Island Archway.

The rate of erosion at the base of the limestone pillars is approximately 2 cm per year.