The twelve Apostles originally went by the name of Sow and Piglets. The 'Sow' was actually the Mutton Bird Island, which can be viewed from Loch Ard Gorge. The Piglets referred to the surrounding rock formations to the east. The twelve Apostles look the best at sunrise and sunset as they change colour from dark and foreboding in shadow to brilliant sandy yellow under full sun. A feature of the limestone found here is that it is harder in its top layers than it is in those at the bottom. As a result, the softer base layers give in to the initial undermining, creating overhangs, arches, and eventually, new stacks. However, the constant battering of wind and waves means the Twelve Apostles are still susceptible to further erosion.
The Twelve Apostles of Australia
