Traffic controls installed at Twelve Apostles

VISITORS to Victoria’s iconic Twelve Apostles can look forward to a better journey this summer, with safer, temporary parking arrangements in place.

Traffic controllers will be working through the holiday period to manage traffic flow, and additional temporary parking arrangements are in place.

In late December, at the request of Parks Victoria, VicRoads installed temporary roadside barriers along a 1.6-kilometre stretch of road around the Twelve Apostles Visitor Centre to prevent illegal and unsafe parking on the narrow road side, which puts pedestrians at risk and obstructs traffic.

While popular year-round, the spectacular coastline is busiest from Boxing Day through January, when daily visitor numbers can exceed more than 10,000 at the Twelve Apostles.

Traffic management teams and Parks Victoria staff will be on site throughout summer.

The speed limit between Gibson Steps to Loch Ard Gorge will also be reduced to provide additional driver and pedestrian safety.

VicRoads will monitor the traffic management measures daily and make further adjustments where necessary.

Parks Victoria is expecting an increase in visitors to the busy Port Campbell National Park this summer as tourists flock to the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge and Gibson Steps.

Last year, 1.93 million people visited the Twelve Apostles, and this figure is expected to reach 2.1 million this year.

“Parks Victoria staff will be working through the holidays to ensure visitors enjoy this spectacular region, and we encourage people to be patient, observe modified speed limits and follow the direction of traffic controllers,” Parks Victoria area chief ranger Michael Smith said.

“Visiting these popular sites can involve walking some distance from the carparks so it’s also important to carry water and be appropriately dressed.”