Victoria – Ritva Sillanmäki Photography

I Witnessed the rugged splendour of the famous 12 Apostles, magnificent rock stacks that rise up majestically from the Southern Ocean on Victoria’s dramatic coastline. And you can tell I was impressed by the amount of photos I took there.

Created by constant erosion of the limestone cliffs of the mainland beginning 10–20 million years ago, the stormy Southern Ocean and blasting winds gradually eroded the softer limestone, forming caves in the cliffs.

The caves eventually became arches and when they collapsed rock stacks up to 45 metres high were left isolated from the shore. View the 12 Apostles at sunrise and sunset as they change colour from dark and foreboding in shadow to brilliant sandy yellow under a full sun. ( text from visit Melbourne)

New Edits #12

Photography, Traveling Australia

Still in Australia, the beautiful coast of Victoria certainly stole my heart.

Landscapes, Nature

The Grotto is perhaps the most enchanting of all the rock formations in this part of Australia along the Great Ocean Road . Part-blowhole, part-archway, part-cave, it offers a peaceful place to enjoy the sea views and soak in the wonderful things nature is capable of.

Standing about halfway up the cliff from the sea level, the geological formation is reachable via a decked staircase that leads down from the viewing platform at the top. You can either view the wonder from above, or head down and explore it at eye-level.

Inside, the Grotto is filled with smooth boulders and serene rock pools that have been carved out of the limestone. For the best view, look into the Grotto from the lower viewing platform, where you can see the horizon, the pools, and the jutting rock formations in one go.

Bay of Martyrs

Landscapes, Nature, Travel

The Bay of Martyrs at Peterborough is a ruggedly beautiful section of the Bay of Islands Coastal Park. Take in sweeping vistas of the coastline and rugged and colorful red limestone bluffs from a high cliff-top viewpoint, .

St Kilda

Landscapes, Photography, Travel

We also visited St Kilda Pier it’s history dates back to 1853. Providing panoramic views of the Melbourne skyline and Port Phillip Bay, the pier is a popular destination. I liked how I was able to capture the skyline behind the sailboats at the pier. The opportunity to see a penguin in it’s natural habit at a place like this was something unexpected.