What are South Africa’s Twelve Apostles?

Did you know that there are at least two places in the world that have Twelve Apostles as a popular tourist attraction?

South Africa’s Twelve Apostles is a 6 km mountain range that is a prominent feature in any drive along the Cape Peninsula’s Atlantic Coast.

Australia’s Twelve Apostles are limestone stacks located on the coastline near Port Campbell.

What’s in a name

The name of the Twelve Apostles is said to have been coined by British governor Sir Rufane Donkin in 1820.

From north to south, the buttresses are Kloof, Fountain, Porcupine, Jubilee, Barrier, Valken, Kasteel, Postern, Wood, Spring, Slangolie, Corridor, Separation, Victoria, Grove, Llandudno Peak, Llandudno Corridor, and Hout Bay Corner.

An anomaly

Similar to Australia’s Twelve Apostles, the name does not exactly reflect the attraction.

There are well over twelve buttresses (Apostles) on the sea-facing side. It’s more a matter of seventeen or eighteen buttresses, including St. Peter’s Peak, St. Luke’s Peak, and Judas Peak (named after Jesus’ disciples), depending on how you count them. But with such splendid scenery, who is counting anyway!?

Best time to go

A clear day provides the best lighting and photo opportunities. Also, around sunset, the picturesque mountain range creates unforgettable memories.

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Easy Ways To Plan Your Trip With Confidence

A few trusted resources to help you organise the practical side of your journey.

Flights, trains, buses & ferries – Compare routes and prices in one place (perfect when you’re still figuring out your journey)
Hotel stays – Compare locations, prices, and guest reviews
Car rental – Compare providers and often find lower prices than booking direct (worth checking before you commit)
Visa & entry checks – A quick way to make sure everything is in order before you go
Travel insurance – One of those things you hope you won’t need, but will be grateful for if you do
Airport transfers – Simple, reliable ways to get from the airport to your stay without the guesswork
Language basics – A few key phrases that can completely change how you experience a place

Country: South Africa
Currency: ZAR
Language: Afrikaans, Xhosa & English
Time zone: UTC+2 (SAST)
Driving side: left
Visa: A 90-day visa is available to several countries.

The beach towns below the Twelve Apostles are scenic and cosmopolitan. It’s also within easy reach of the hop-on-hop-off red bus, which is highly recommended. You may want to look at staying in:

Bantry Bay
Camps Bay
Clifton
Sea Point
Three Anchor Bay