The Victorian government will introduce an entry fee for the Twelve Apostles with a new Visitor Experience Centre, funded by state and federal governments, slated to open in late 2026 to support protection and maintenance of the Great Ocean Road coastline.

A booking system will be introduced for access to the Twelve Apostles, along with the entry fee, to manage visitor numbers and parking at peak times.

Officials say the fee aims to sustain ongoing maintenance and provide an economic justification for protecting the site, while encouraging longer stays in the region.

Local residents and Eastern Maar First Nations community members will be exempt from the fee and booking requirements.

The exact fee amount will be determined after consultations with local councils, tourism operators, and traditional owners, with Indigenous locals and Eastern Maar members exempt.

The approach mirrors trends at other popular nature sites that use entry charges to cover infrastructure and maintenance, reducing the burden on taxpayers.

The decision follows calls from Corangamite Shire Council and the Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism Board for a user-pays model to better manage visitors and protect the environment.

Context notes that major destinations worldwide use booking systems and fees to protect landscapes and infrastructure.

Proceeds are intended to fund operating costs, maintenance, visitor infrastructure, and environmental conservation, reinvesting back into the Great Ocean Road region.

Revenue from the fee is aimed at supporting local improvements and preservation, with the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority backing the sustainable funding model.

The new funding approach aligns with ongoing reinvestment and protection efforts in the area.

Environment Minister described the fee as fair, noting the Twelve Apostles attracts millions of visitors annually and the broader Great Ocean Road region sees even higher numbers.