Entry fees coming to Twelve Apostles

A major change is coming to the Twelve Apostles, with entry fees to be imposed for the first time.

Visitors to the new Twelve Apostles Visitor Experience Centre will be charged a fee when it opens later this year, but “local residents” and members of the Eastern Maar community will be exempt.

The Victorian government has not specified what counts as a local resident in terms of visiting the globally famous tourist attraction, or how much the fee will be.

Revealing the changes this morning (Monday, 9 March), the Victorian government stated fees will support upgrades to beach access and visitor facilities, as well as maintain historic landmarks and new projects that will benefit local communities and attract visitors.

A visitor booking system will also be in place to manage visitation numbers and guarantee parking at peak times.

Fees to enter the Visitor Experience Centre, which will be managed by the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority (GORCAPA), are being consulted with local stakeholders.

“The Twelve Apostles are visited by more than two million people each year and the Great Ocean Road is visited by over six million people – and we want even more people to come and enjoy it,” Minister for Environment Steve Dimopoulos said today.

“We’re investing in the future of the Great Ocean Road region and making sure every single cent spent in the region stays there.

It’s only fair that visitors to the region pay a small fee to visit this world-class destination so that we can maintain it for future generations.”

The Victorian government stated other popular destinations such as Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Kosciuszko National Park and Wineglass Bay Lookout had entrance fees.

GORCAPA has not yet hired a manager for the Visitor Experience Centre, with applications closing on Thursday, 12 March.