A position detecting apparatus has a matrix-like arrangement constituted by a plurality of substantially parallel X-direction magnetrostrictive line bundles, each of the bundles having at least one magnetostrictive transmission medium element, and a plurality of substantially parallel Y-direction magnetostrictive line bundles, each of the bundles having at least one magnetostrictive transmission medium element, the Y-direction magnetostrictive line bundles crossing the X-direction magnetrostrictive line bundles substantially at a right angle. First coils are wound commonly around one end of the X-direction magnetostrictive line bundles and Y-direction magnetostrictive line bundles, respectively. Second coils have portions wound around the X-direction magnetostrictive line bundles over a large length thereof and the portions wound around the Y-direction magnetostrictive line bundles over a large length thereof. The first and second coils in respective directions make signal exchange therebetween through the magnetostrictive transmission medium. The electro-mechanical coupling coefficient of the magnetostrictive transmission medium is changed only a portion thereof by means of the position appointing magnetism generator, and this position is detected through the detection of a change in the signal receiving timing caused by the change of the electromagnetic coupling coefficient. The magnetism generator is not connected to any stationary part. The detection can be made within the position detection region with a high resolution even when the position appointing magnetism generator is spaced considerably from the apparatus in the vertical direction. The apparatus, therefore, can be applied to a system for automatically detecting the position of a moving body, by attaching the position appointing magnetism generator to such a moving body.