Industry Updates
A $126 million transformation - A new gateway for the Great Ocean Road
Opening on the 16th October 2026, the $126 million Twelve Apostles precinct redevelopment will transform how visitors arrive at, experience and understand one of the world’s great natural landmarks.
- Anchored by the new 3,300m² Keerray Woorroong Visitor Centre, it will turn one of Australia’s most photographed places from a brief stop into a rare, memorable experience worth planning and booking.
- A high-profile platform for connecting visitors with more of the region using pre-arrival communications, digital recommendations and links to regional accommodation, food, nature, culture and touring experiences.
- Greater opportunity to encourage longer stays, overnight visitation and travel beyond the precinct—by promoting complementary experiences before and after the visit and working with GORRT, local businesses and trade partners to build them into visitor itineraries.
- Visitors will be able to experience the new precinct from 16 October, with a booking system now live, and FREE until April 2027. A fee for bookings will then be introduced, with all revenue directly helping to protect and improve the coast and parks of the Great Ocean Road for generations to come.
Register for industry updates by emailing info@greatoceanroadauthority.vic.gov.au
Assets
Download Industry Brochure here(PDF, 2MB)
Download 1-pager (Map and Info) here(PDF, 4MB)
Download Industry Toolkit here(PDF, 2MB)
The toolkit is designed to help our community and visitors understand that from October, everyone needs to book in advance to secure their place at the Twelve Apostles. It includes key information and assets to help share this news and get people excited about the new experience on offer.
Download Tour Operators Manual here(PDF, 7MB)
Download Agent Booking Pass Application Form here(PDF, 123KB)
More than a new building
The Keerray Woorroong Visitor Centre will offer:
● World-class architecture and landscape design
● Eastern Maar culture, knowledge and perspectives
● Immersive exhibitions and digital experiences
● The Great Ocean Lookout rooftop garden and observation area
● Visitor Ambassadors, talks and guided experiences
● Café, retail and regional visitor information
● Inclusive family, accessible and sensory facilities
● Extensive native landscaping and improved visitor movement
Expanded parking, dedicated coach access and upgraded infrastructure will support safer, better-managed arrivals for all visitors while guaranteeing a reserved spot and plenty of time to enjoy everything the precinct has to offer.
Grounded in Eastern Maar custodianship
Eastern Maar are the Traditional Owners and enduring custodians of this Country, with continuing responsibilities for Country and coast.
Eastern Maar knowledge and values have helped shape how the precinct is designed, named, interpreted, regenerated and cared for.
Curated experiences will reveal the Twelve Apostles as more than a view, but a living Country to understand, respect and care for.
A major opportunity for tourism
This positions the Twelve Apostles alongside the world’s most significant landmarks and sets the ambition to lead globally in regenerative tourism.
For tourism businesses, this creates:
● A premium, must-book experience worthy of the landmark
● A richer product to promote and include in itineraries
● Greater confidence when planning visitor and group arrivals
● More reasons for visitors to spend time at the precinct
● A powerful gateway to regional accommodation, food, nature, culture and touring experiences
● Greater potential for longer stays, overnight visitation and regional dispersal
All revenue raised by GORCAPA on the land it manages is reinvested into the care, conservation and long-term resilience of the Great Ocean Road coast and parks.
A rare experience worth planning for
Access to the new visitor precinct, including access to the Twelve Apostles viewing areas, will be via a pre-booked arrival model from the 16th October 2026.
The booking system is now open, with tickets available up to a month in advance for the public and 4 months for tour operators and regional partners - with the intention to increase this after fees are introduced in April 2027.
This is one of the world’s great natural landmarks. Booking ahead protects the quality of the experience and helps care for the place that makes it possible.
Trade accounts will be available to approved tour operators. Group booking processes, arrival windows, amendments, cancellations and support arrangements will be explained through operator information sessions and official industry updates.
Plan now
Tourism operators and regional partners should:
● Build booking and realistic arrival windows into itineraries.
● Allow more time for the Visitor Centre, interpretation and longer walk to the viewing area
● Position the Twelve Apostles as a premium highlight, not simply a roadside photo stop.
● Prepare visitors for the significance of Eastern Maar Country.
● Connect the precinct with nearby experiences, towns and accommodation.
● Build sunrise, sunset, quieter periods and overnight stays into itineraries where operationally available.
● Update product descriptions once approved copy and inclusions are released.
● Use the precinct as an anchor for multi-day Great Ocean Road journeys.
● Share the booking toolkit assets across their channels
At a glance
- Booking system: Now open (Free for all visitors until April 2027)
- Visitor Centre opening: Mid-October 2026
- Parking: Almost 600 formalised car spaces and 100 coach and coaster spaces (950 including overflow areas)
- Building hours: 8am–8pm during daylight saving; 9am–5pm during standard time
- Open: 365 days a year
- Other locations: Access to Loch Ard Gorge and Gibson Steps remains unchanged
FAQS
Industry FAQs(PDF, 604KB)
The new booking system for the Twelve Apostles Visitor Centre parking and centre access opened on Monday 5 October ahead of public opening on 16th October.
twelveapostles.org.au
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Contact us
e: info@greatoceanroadauthority.vic.gov.au
p: 1300 736 533