Twelve Apostles could face visitor fee under planned $126 million upgrade

Millions of tourists could be charged to visit the Twelve Apostles on Victoria's Great Ocean Road under a proposed user-pays model. Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism and Corangamite Shire Council are backing a plan to fund a $126 million upgrade to the Twelve Apostles Precinct, including a new visitor centre. The Great Ocean Road attracts about 6.8 million visitors a year, with more than a third drawn to the Twelve Apostles along the 240-kilometre heritage-listed coastline.

A fee tier, which is yet to be determined, would go toward supporting infrastructure, conservation, community wellbeing, and visitor experience. Overnight and off-peak visitors would be rewarded to help ease demand during peak periods such as school holidays.

Chairwoman Liz Price added: "The Great Ocean Road is more than a scenic drive —- it's a living, working region filled with vibrant communities, remarkable landscapes, and cultural depth." The proposed model would help fund a $126 million investment into the Twelve Apostles Precinct, which includes a new visitor centre. "Now is the time to activate this investment and ensure it drives a balanced, year-round visitor economy," council chief executive David Rae said.

There is talk that Victorians could be exempt from the tourist fee, which may only apply to interstate and overseas visitors. The bold proposal has sparked outrage, led by 3AW afternoon host Jacqui Felgate, who grew up in the region. "I just think this is utterly appalling," she told listeners on Wednesday. Tourism minister Steve Dimopoulos told Felgate that no final decision has yet been made. "There's incredible support by the community there to have a funding model to maintain the coastline," he said.

Dimopoulos also noted that the Great Ocean Road attracts more tourists than iconic landmarks Uluru and the Great Barrier Reef combined. Online reaction from Australians was divided: "You can stick your Apostles where the sun doesn't shine," one man fumed on X; another said, "Seen the Twelve Apostles in Victoria? You should do it now - before they grab your money to do it." A third wrote, "It's not worth seeing for free, let alone paying for it."

Locals have generally welcomed the idea. "It's a no brainer for all us locals watching this upgrade been built. $126 million by the federal and state governments. Of course they will claw back money," one resident posted. The Victorian government is currently considering the bold proposal, with a decision expected in the next six to 12 months.

The plan is framed as a way to balance preservation with a sustainable, year-round visitor economy and to reinvest proceeds in infrastructure and conservation efforts along the Great Ocean Road.