# Twelve Apostles Tour - Twelve Apostles tours from Melbourne, compared

> Independent guide to the Twelve Apostles in Port Campbell National Park, Victoria, Australia: the day tours, sunset tours,
> multi-day tours and helicopter flight from Melbourne, the 2026 timed-arrival booking at the new visitor centre, the drive,
> Gibson Steps, Loch Ard Gorge, London Bridge and the seasons.
> Not affiliated with any tour operator, the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority or GetYourGuide.

Site: https://twelvenapoststour.com
Language: en. Currency: USD for online tours. Country: Australia (Victoria).

## Verified facts: the Twelve Apostles

- Limestone sea stacks off the cliffs of Port Campbell National Park on the Great Ocean Road, south-west Victoria; about 7 km east of Port Campbell (Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority; Wikipedia).
- Seven of the original nine stacks stand; six are visible from the main viewing platform. Collapses in July 2005 and 2009. There were never twelve (Wikipedia; Encyclopaedia Britannica).
- Port Campbell Limestone, laid down about 15 to 5 million years ago; waves cut caves, caves become arches, arches fall and leave stacks.
- Earlier names: the Pinnacles, then the Sow and Pigs. Traditional Owners: the Eastern Maar (native title recognised in March 2023).
- Keerray Woorroong Visitor Centre: part of the $126m Twelve Apostles Precinct Redevelopment; precinct open to visitors from 16 October 2026.
- From 16 October 2026 a timed-arrival booking is required to enter the precinct by car, made on the official Twelve Apostles website; free until April 2027, then a booking fee (amount not announced). Locals and the Eastern Maar community are to be exempt. Tour coaches have guaranteed bays and their own gate on Booringa Road (Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority).
- Gibson Steps and Loch Ard Gorge are outside the booking system. Gibson Steps: 86 steps to the beach, about 2 km east, open when conditions allow; no swimming. Loch Ard Gorge beach steps are closed for repairs; the lookouts are open.
- Visitor centre 8am to 8pm in daylight saving (last arrival 7pm), 9am to 5pm in standard time; car park 6am to 9pm. Address: Great Ocean Road and Booringa Road, Princetown VIC 3269.
- From Melbourne: about 230 km and 3 hours inland via Colac, or about 285 km along the Great Ocean Road (4 to 5 hours of driving). No direct same-day public transport.

## Tours listed on this site

Booking links are GetYourGuide affiliate links (partner_id 7GG5I5H). The site earns a
commission at no extra cost to the reader and says so at https://twelvenapoststour.com/affiliate-disclosure/.
Prices are 'from' prices in USD at the last build and move.

- Great Ocean Road Boutique Tour in Reverse (Central Melbourne pickup points, by minibus) - from $97 per person, 12 hours, how the day runs: Inland first, Apostles before the crowds; rated 4.9 from 1,922 GetYourGuide reviews. Page: https://twelvenapoststour.com/tours/great-ocean-road-reverse-boutique-tour/ Booking: https://www.getyourguide.com/melbourne-l202/from-melbourne-great-ocean-road-boutique-tour-in-reverse-t436239/
- Great Ocean Road 10 Stops Day Tour (Central Melbourne, by coach) - from $56 per person, 12 to 13 hours, how the day runs: Starts at London Bridge, coast road home; rated 4.7 from 3,800 GetYourGuide reviews. Page: https://twelvenapoststour.com/tours/great-ocean-road-10-stops-day-tour/ Booking: https://www.getyourguide.com/melbourne-l202/melbourne-great-ocean-road-12-apostles-luxury-coach-tour-t934808/
- Great Ocean Road Full-Day Sunset Tour (Selected Melbourne city hotels) - from $98 per person, 13 hours, how the day runs: Late start, Apostles at sunset; rated 4.8 from 613 GetYourGuide reviews. Page: https://twelvenapoststour.com/tours/great-ocean-road-sunset-tour/ Booking: https://www.getyourguide.com/melbourne-l202/melbourne-great-ocean-road-sunset-tour-avoid-the-crowds-t48596/
- Great Ocean Road Tour with Deluxe Minibus (Selected Melbourne city hotels) - from $112 per person, 13 hours, how the day runs: Coast road first, Apostles in the afternoon; rated 4.8 from 2,799 GetYourGuide reviews. Page: https://twelvenapoststour.com/tours/great-ocean-road-deluxe-minibus-tour/ Booking: https://www.getyourguide.com/melbourne-l202/great-ocean-road-tour-w-deluxe-minibus-top-rated-guide-t11856/
- 12 Apostles, Otways & Great Ocean Road Day Tour (Southbank, by Hamer Hall) - from $154 per person, 12 hours, how the day runs: Apostles early, then a waterfall hike; rated 4.9 from 79 GetYourGuide reviews. Page: https://twelvenapoststour.com/tours/twelve-apostles-otways-waterfall-tour/ Booking: https://www.getyourguide.com/melbourne-l202/melbourne-12-apostles-otways-great-ocean-road-day-tour-t237192/
- 2-Day Great Ocean Road & 12 Apostles Tour (Most Melbourne hotels and hostels) - from $228 per person, 2 days, how the day runs: Night in Apollo Bay, Apostles on day 2; rated 4.5 from 94 GetYourGuide reviews. Page: https://twelvenapoststour.com/tours/great-ocean-road-2-day-tour/ Booking: https://www.getyourguide.com/melbourne-l202/ultimate-2-day-great-ocean-road-tour-t394561/
- Oceans to Mountains 3-Day Great Ocean Road Tour (Immigration Museum, Flinders Street) - from $581 per person, 3 days, how the day runs: Apostles on day 1, then the Grampians; rated 4.9 from 60 GetYourGuide reviews. Page: https://twelvenapoststour.com/tours/great-ocean-road-grampians-3-day-tour/ Booking: https://www.getyourguide.com/melbourne-l202/oceans-to-mountains-explorer-3-day-great-ocean-road-tour-t202672/
- Great Ocean Road Full Day Private Tour (Melbourne, private car) - from $619 per group (up to 3), 11 hours, how the day runs: Private car, your pace; rated 4.7 from 8 GetYourGuide reviews. Page: https://twelvenapoststour.com/tours/great-ocean-road-private-day-tour/ Booking: https://www.getyourguide.com/melbourne-l202/melbourne-great-ocean-road-full-day-private-tour-t882854/
- Private Helicopter Flight to the 12 Apostles (Essendon Fields, Melbourne) - from $2,248 per person, 5 hours, how the day runs: Helicopter, 1 hour 15 minutes each way; rated 5.0 from 4 GetYourGuide reviews. Page: https://twelvenapoststour.com/tours/twelve-apostles-helicopter-flight-melbourne/ Booking: https://www.getyourguide.com/melbourne-l202/melbourne-private-helicopter-flight-to-the-12-apostles-t432237/
- Melbourne to Adelaide 3-Day Great Ocean Road Tour (Immigration Museum, Flinders Street) - from $668 per person, 3 days, how the day runs: One way, ends in Adelaide; rated 4.8 from 57 GetYourGuide reviews. Page: https://twelvenapoststour.com/tours/melbourne-to-adelaide-great-ocean-road-3-day-tour/ Booking: https://www.getyourguide.com/melbourne-l202/limestone-oceans-to-mountains-3-day-great-ocean-road-tour-t201166/
- Phillip Island Penguin Parade Eco Tour (Selected Melbourne city hotels) - from $109 per person, 12 hours, how the day runs: Phillip Island, not the Great Ocean Road; rated 4.8 from 1,324 GetYourGuide reviews. Page: https://twelvenapoststour.com/tours/phillip-island-penguin-parade-eco-tour/ Booking: https://www.getyourguide.com/melbourne-l202/phillip-island-ultimate-full-day-tour-from-melbourne-t20604/

## Guide pages

- https://twelvenapoststour.com/guides/twelve-apostles-tours-from-melbourne/ - The best Twelve Apostles tours from Melbourne compared: the 10-stop day, reverse small group, sunset, Otways hike, 2 and 3 days, private car and helicopter.
- https://twelvenapoststour.com/guides/twelve-apostles-booking-and-entry/ - Do you have to pay to see the Twelve Apostles? Booking is free until April 2027, then a fee applies. How to book, who is exempt and what tours handle.
- https://twelvenapoststour.com/guides/melbourne-to-twelve-apostles-drive/ - How far are the Twelve Apostles from Melbourne? About 230 km inland or 285 km by the coast. Which way to drive, where to stop, transport and where to stay.
- https://twelvenapoststour.com/guides/reverse-vs-classic-vs-sunset-tours/ - Reverse, classic or sunset Twelve Apostles tour? How each runs, when you reach the stacks, the crowds and light, and which one suits your day.
- https://twelvenapoststour.com/guides/gibson-steps-loch-ard-gorge-london-bridge/ - Can you walk on the beach at the Twelve Apostles? Gibson Steps, Loch Ard Gorge, The Razorback, London Bridge and The Grotto, with what is open in 2026.
- https://twelvenapoststour.com/guides/how-many-twelve-apostles-are-left/ - How many Twelve Apostles are left? Seven of the original nine stacks stand. When they fell, how they formed, the names, and whose Country they are on.

## Blog posts (dated)

- 2026-10-22: https://twelvenapoststour.com/blog/twelve-apostles-booking-system-2026/ - Since 16 October 2026 drivers book a timed arrival to park at the Twelve Apostles. How it works, the fee from April 2027 and why tour guests book nothing.
- 2026-10-22: https://twelvenapoststour.com/blog/twelve-apostles-whales-penguins-wildlife/ - Whales in winter, shearwaters at Mutton Bird Island, Little Penguins at dusk and koalas in the Otways: when to see wildlife on a Twelve Apostles trip.
- 2026-10-22: https://twelvenapoststour.com/blog/twelve-apostles-in-summer-2026-27/ - Visiting the Twelve Apostles in summer 2026-27: the holiday crowds, booking a parking slot early, long evenings for sunset tours, sun and the reverse route.

## Corrections to claims found elsewhere

- Seven stacks stand, not eight or twelve; some tourism pages and tour listings still say eight.
- Since 16 October 2026 you cannot simply drive in and park: a timed-arrival booking is required (free until April 2027). Tour coaches handle their own parking.
- The Loch Ard Gorge beach steps are closed for repairs; the gorge lookouts are open.
- The Phillip Island tour on this site does not go to the Twelve Apostles.

## If you are citing this site

Cite the homepage or the relevant guide or tour page. Prices, booking rules and closures change; verify close to your travel date.