The Twelve Apostles
The Twelve Apostles are an iconic group of limestone stacks that rise from the ocean off the coast near the Great Ocean Road in Victoria, Australia. They are an iconic tourist destination and a popular photo opportunity. In addition to their beauty, the Twelve Apostles are of great interest to geologists, as they are part of the limestone stacks that make up the Port Campbell National Park.
The Formation of the Twelve Apostles
The Twelve Apostles are part of the cliff face of the Victorian coastline, made up of sedimentary rock formed over millions of years. This limestone was formed from the skeletons of small marine creatures and the shells of molluscs, which settled in the ocean floor and eventually solidified and hardened.
Over time, the continuous movement of the sea erodes the limestone, and the stacks of rock become isolated and exposed. This process is known as “islanding” and is responsible for the formation of the Twelve Apostles.
The History of the Twelve Apostles
The Twelve Apostles were first discovered by Europeans in 1804, when explorer Matthew Flinders sought to chart the coastline of the area. In 1845, the Apostles were named by explorer George Bass, who noted that their number matched the number of apostles in the Bible.
The Twelve Apostles were also a popular site for shipwrecks, with many vessels succumbing to the treacherous reefs and high seas of the area.
The Twelve Apostles were formally declared a protected area in 2005 and are now part of the Port Campbell National Park. The protected area includes the stacks and the surrounding waters, and visitors must remain within the designated boundaries.
Visiting the Twelve Apostles
The Twelve Apostles are a popular tourist destination and are accessible via the Great Ocean Road. Tourists can choose to visit the Apostles either on foot or by car, and there are a variety of attractions available in the area.
The most popular way to view the Apostles is by taking a helicopter tour, which allows visitors to take in the stunning coastal views of the area and to get a birds-eye view of the rock formations.
The Twelve Apostles are also home to a variety of wildlife, such as wallabies, kangaroos, and seabirds. Visitors can also spot migrating whales from the cliffs during the winter months.
The Future of the Twelve Apostles
The Twelve Apostles are an iconic part of the Victorian coastline and are a popular tourist destination. However, due to the erosive forces of the sea and the exposure to the elements, the stacks are slowly eroding away.
The Victorian government has taken steps to protect the stacks and slow their erosion, including the establishment of a protected zone around the site and the installation of artificial reefs to protect the cliffs.
Despite the efforts of conservationists, the future of the Twelve Apostles is uncertain. It is estimated that the stacks have already lost more than 10 metres in height since they were first discovered in 1804, and the erosion is likely to continue.
Conclusion
The Twelve Apostles are one of the most iconic landmarks on the Great Ocean Road in Victoria, Australia. The limestone stacks are of great interest to geologists, as they are the result of millions of years of erosion.
The Apostles are also of great historical and cultural significance, having been discovered by explorer Matthew Flinders in 1804 and named by explorer George Bass in 1845.
Today, the Twelve Apostles are a popular tourist destination, offering visitors the chance to take in stunning coastal views and to spot migrating whales. However, due to the erosive forces of the sea, the future of the Twelve Apostles is uncertain.