Twelve Apostles, Victoria

The Twelve Apostles National Park is Southwest of Melbourne on the Southern Ocean facing south towards Antarctica.  Originally when the park opened there were 12 pillars, but over the years they fell into the ocean, now there are 8.

The pillars are formed when caves are formed when the waves crashed against the shore.  The white on top by the trees (center-top) are people to give you an idea of how big cliffs and waves are.

Eventually the caves connect and form an archway.  This is called Loch Ard Arch named for the ship that wrecked in to it.  In 1990 a similar arch collapsed stranding two tourist and had to be rescued by helicopter.

When the archway collapses pillars are left behind.

Some pillars fall over back into the ocean.

Some gradually erode from rain and wind.

Then the process starts all over again.