The homeward journey continues along the Great Ocean Road to the Twelve Apostles. These are limestone stacks, which have been disconnected from the "mainland" by wave erosion, at the rate of about 2cm per year. The stacks are as high as 45m. The site was originally known as the Sow and Piglets where Muttonbird Island (near Loch Ard Gorge) was the sow, and the stacks were the piglets. The name was changed for tourism!
Although the name is Twelve Apostles, there were only ever 9. And now there are only 8, as one collapsed on 3rd July 2005. But eventually there will be more as the coastline is eroded and slowly moving north.
The clouds continue, but again without rain. There are six apostles here.
Four standing apostles, and at the bottom, the remains of the one which
passed away in 2005.
All 6 western apostles. Note that there is one behind another, which is more clearly visible in the photo above.
This is the closest of the western group, which is showing signs of distress. It's probably not just the ocean destroying the stacks - rain and accumulated sea spray (which are probably frequent here) can weaken the limestone from above.
There is a path to viewing areas along the headland. The larger version shows people out there.
This headland is also eroding. Those rocks look rather newly dislodged.
It appears this sign is not a strong enough deterrent.
I guess some people like to live on the edge - in this case the physical edge. The drop is about 45m, and the water here is COLD.
Only two apostles to the east, but clearly the right hand one has
an erosion problem on the right hand side!
From here it was on to Torquay (without Krakatoa or wilderbeest) for the night. A comfortable motel, and a fine meal finished an enjoyable day.
Loch Ard Gorge
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