Victoria to Introduce Entry Fee for Twelve Apostles Site

Visitors to Victoria's iconic Twelve Apostles will soon need to pay an entry fee. The state government will announce the charge on Monday, timed with the late-2026 opening of the new $126 million visitor centre at the site.

While the exact price is still to be determined through public consultation, local residents and members of the Eastern Maar Indigenous community will be exempt. A booking system will also be implemented to manage crowds and ensure parking availability during busy periods.

Environment Minister Steve Dimopoulos stated the revenue will fund upgrades to beach access, visitor facilities, and the preservation of the landmarks themselves. "With over two million annual visitors to the Apostles, and six million to the Great Ocean Road, we want to ensure this investment stays in the region," Dimopoulos said. He described the fee as a modest contribution toward maintaining the site for the future.

The move follows a September recommendation from the Corangamite Shire Council and the Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism Board, who suggested a $10 to $20 charge to help protect the fragile coastline. Victoria Tourism Industry Council CEO Lisa Patroni welcomed the decision, calling it long overdue. She noted current infrastructure, like the single-lane road with cars parked on shoulders and no footpaths, creates safety risks that the fee will help address.

"Internationally, this is a standard practice for managing high-demand natural sites," Patroni said. The government cited other Australian destinations, including Uluru and Kosciuszko National Park, which already use similar fee structures for preservation.