Twelve Apostles Marine National Park, Marine national park on the Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia
Twelve Apostles Marine National Park is a marine reserve on the Great Ocean Road along Victoria's southern coast. The area spans several thousand hectares of ocean and displays towering limestone columns rising from the Southern Ocean, shaped by constant wave action and weathering over time.
The marine reserve was established in 2002 to protect sensitive coastal ecosystems from human impact. This decision came as awareness grew about safeguarding Victoria's southern ocean environment from commercial and recreational activities.
The coastline holds traces of Indigenous Australian peoples whose connection to these waters goes back thousands of years. Walking along the cliffs, visitors can sense the deep relationship these communities had with the ocean and land.
The main access point is Port Campbell, where visitors find viewing platforms positioned along the coastline. The paths can be uneven and exposed to weather, so sturdy shoes and protective clothing help make the visit more comfortable.
The limestone columns formed as waves undercut the coastal cliffs over millions of years, creating countless varied shapes along the shore. This erosion process continues today, meaning the landscape slowly changes as visitors return.
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