Visitors planning a trip to the Twelve Apostles along the Great Ocean Road will soon have to pay a fee. The Victorian Government is preparing to introduce a “tourist tax” for the iconic site, which attracts around two million visitors each year, in an effort to help preserve the landmark.
Of the original 12 limestone stacks that gave the formation its name, only seven remain standing today. Under the new plan, both Australian and international tourists will be charged to enter the new $126 million Twelve Apostles Visitor Experience Centre, which is expected to open by the end of the year.
Environment Minister Steve Dimopoulos said it is fair for visitors to pay a small fee to help protect and maintain the world-class destination for future generations. He noted that the government is investing in the future of the Great Ocean Road region and ensuring that all revenue generated there is reinvested locally.
Authorities also plan to introduce a new visitor booking system to better manage tourist numbers and parking during peak periods. However, the exact entry fee has not yet been decided and will be determined following consultations with local councils, businesses and traditional owners.
Chairman of Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism, Andrew Jeffers, acknowledged that visitors may not welcome a charge for something that was previously free. However, he explained that the proposed fee would apply to the visitor centre and would not restrict access to other areas along the Great Ocean Road.
Revenue from the fee will be collected by the Great Ocean Road Parks and Coastal Authority and used to improve beach access, upgrade visitor facilities, and maintain historic landmarks in the region. Part of the funds will also go towards the upkeep of the newly built visitor centre.
Some Australians will be exempt from the charge, including local residents and members of the Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation, the traditional owners of south-western Victoria.
The Twelve Apostles would not be the first natural attraction in Australia to introduce a visitor fee. Entry charges already apply at sites such as Kosciuszko National Park and Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. At Kosciuszko National Park, fees start from $29 per vehicle per day during the winter peak and $17 during the rest of the year, while a three-day park pass to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park costs $38.
