It has been confirmed that visitors to Victoria’s iconic Twelve Apostles will soon have to pay a fee for the privilege.
The State Government says it is protecting the iconic Great Ocean Road coast and parks for future generations by establishing an ongoing funding source for reinvestment straight back into ‘this special place’.
To deliver this, it stays, a booking and fee model will be introduced at the new Twelve Apostles Visitor Centre when it opens late this year.
The idea is that introducing fees will cover the costs of operating and maintaining the new ‘world-class’ tourism precinct and provide an additional revenue source for ongoing reinvestment in much-needed visitor infrastructure and environmental conservation right along the coast and parks of the Great Ocean Road.
Should these million dollar views be free? PIC: Paul Macallan / Pexels
The move is also intended to give the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority (GORCAPA) long-term certainty to deliver on its remit to protect and enhance the coast and parks while improving the visitor experience.
It says this will encompass things like repairing and restoring historic landmarks, upgrading, and improving caravan parks and campgrounds right along the Great Ocan Road.
The new Twelve Apostles entry fee will be decided following a consultation with stakeholders, including local government and tour operators and residents. It is being reported that the government doesn’t want the fee to be higher than $20.
The Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority has listed the benefits it says a booked experience will ensure. These are:
It says booking will also help manage crowding so visitors can enjoy the site without congestion:
“Slowing people down and spreading them out will also support sustainable visitation across the entire Great Ocean Road – taking pressure of local spots and communities that have historically seen overcrowding at peak periods as people or groups travel along the road all at the same time to the Twelve Apostles,” the GORCAPA said.
And the authority says local businesses will further benefit from the requirement to book a time for visiting the Twelve Apostles by encouraging people to stay longer and explore the region.
That means more people in local towns, visiting shops, local hospitality venues and needing accommodation.
GORCAPA says the fees will be consistent with other popular nature-based attractions across the country that have had entry fees for some time, and it argues fees are common practice across Australia and internationally, where people expect to contribute.
The prospect of introducing a charge to visit the Twelve Apostles was floated by Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism (GORRT) and Corangamite Shire in September last year … and the idea was not greeted with enthusiasm by grey nomads at that time.
“Would the French consider a charge to look at the Eiffel Tower, or the Brits for a glance at Tower Bridge: of course not. What absurdity is this?” said one correspondent. “Some of the towns along the Great Ocean Road wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for the financial support of us grey nomads supporting local business.”
Another said whatever the new fee was going to be, it should be halved ‘because the last time we were on that viewing platform there were only six apostles left’.
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Australians are gradually being limited and closed off from our heritage, natural wonders and beauty.
These are not owned by Councils or Governments. They belong to the people whose freedom is being strangled by claims, red tape and beauracratic pen pushers in air con offices at the big end of town.
We work all our lives to help our country to prosper. Save a bit of money to go and see enjoy and experience the natural beauty of our continent. Only to be fenced out, charged fees or apply for permits to see what out forefathers fought and died for.
Wont be revisiting the area after the fees are applied. Too many lockdowns and monies paid not really going to where it does any good; instead going to groups. Call it part of Parks Victoria and instead of a separate fee, make it part of the State Parks access fee. Or make it a National Park.
Well said. It’s not just the twelve Apostles (maybe 6) but also Ayer’s Rock and any other natural attraction that’s in Australia. The pinnacles and purnululu spring to mind as well and that’s just 2 places in WA, It’s nothing more the than local, state & federal governments taking the piss out of us just so they can make money from overseas tourists.
Here, here! Pat from the Top End
How true.
We’ve been there dozens of times.
There aren’t as many apostles standing as there was 50 years ago.
We have no objection to a fee being imposed.
It might be a good idea to impose fees to view Uluru & Cape York too.
How about charging to see sunsets, the sea, waves, blue unpolluted sky? These are also provided by nature for all to enjoy free of charge.
Andrew, it costs you money to view the ocean at the Great Aust Bight
Is that a suggestion?
Have a donation scheme, if we go to a site where there is a donation box set up and we think it’s worth donating then we will. If there’s nothing else other than the beauty of nature itself and the local council wants to make money from it by doing nothing noteworthy then they won’t be getting our money.
Sounds like a better idea
Its only 7 Apostles now. Will we get a discount? Ifyouve got enough money to travell around the govts want a bigger share than they already get.
I am confused. Is the new charge to drive along The Great Ocean Road or simply a charge to enter the new visitors centre. I don’t know how someone can charge to drive along a public gazetted road?
If it is simply to enter the visitors centre then what is all the fuss about? If you wish to pay and enter to pay for expensively priced souvenirs made in China, that’s an individual choice, not a levy as this is being presented by the press.
Anyone know what the correct interpretation is?
YEP, vote with your wallet, phone app or credit card !!!
Tell ’em to stick it and go somewhere else. Tourist traps are about as useful as jumping castles at overpriced tourist parks
It’s not to drive the road
But there’s not 12 Apostles any more.
Even if there is only one, they will charge you.
Just another money Grab
It’ll end up in Victoria’s general revenue
This is another Vic Govt rip off. Totally wrong to be charged to see our Countries natural beauty. At present you can’t go down in to Loch Ard Gorge and PM Margaret Rose Caves are still closed.
The SA Parks people are just laughing at Victoria’s Parks inability to get simple things done.
Jenolan Caves Area closed too but at least NSW Parks are actually working on the necessary road access restoration. Victoria – the “Wait Awhile State”. They need a Urgent Roundtoit!
I think charging to view landscape is preposterous. I see it as harming local businesses as travellers avoid the area. It’s just another case of money grabbing as are the overpriced fees in national parks.
Such a money grab it’s getting beyond a joke. Our country is absolutely full of Scrooge political garbage and that’s that
Why does vic govt NEED to spend $100 million on a tourist centre there ????
Also aboriginals are exempt from the fee …
Glad i ve already seen tge apostles ,great part of victoria ,but i wont be back to be exploited..
