Residents must benefit from Twelve Apostles tourist charges

Published on 10 March 2026

The Corangamite Shire community must get its fair share from fees to visit the Twelve Apostles, says Mayor Kate Makin.

The State Government will charge visitors to the new Twelve Apostles Visitor Experience Centre, which is due to open at the end of this year.

Environment Minister Steve Dimopoulos said the revenue would allow the Great Ocean Road Parks and Coastal Authority to maintain and upgrade the facilities.

Mayor Makin welcomed the announcement, with the condition Corangamite residents and the Shipwreck Coast receive real benefits.

“Given the huge impact of millions of tourists each year, this is something Council and locals have been advocating for.

“Minister Dimopoulos has said locals and Eastern Maar people will not have to pay.

“This is our home and district residents have a right to visit our own back yard. The definition of local needs to be more than just people who live nearby.

"We will work though that as part of the consultation before the charge starts.

“Given safety and congestion concerns due to the overburden of traffic - particularly in peak visitation season – Council is calling on the Government to upgrade facilities now, before the new experience centre opens.

“The fee should be reinvested back into the precinct and surrounds and the Shipwreck Coast where it is raised.

“What’s needed now is vital improvements in Lochard Gorge and the Arch.”

Council Chief Executive Officer David Rae said a well-designed user-pays system would provide a consistent and much needed funding stream to reinvest directly in site maintenance, enhancement and conservation.

“As demonstrated at other high-volume tourism sites, a well-executed model can support improved visitor experience through infrastructure upgrades, better services and year-round activation,” Mr Rae said.

“It will help manage peak demand and shift visitation behaviour to protect fragile environments.

“Reducing over-reliance on ratepayers will ensure a fairer distribution of costs.

“The world-class Visitor Experience Centre will encourage longer stays and higher yield for the Shire’s tourism businesses, workers and wider community.”