A $126 million redevelopment of the Twelve Apostles Precinct will open on October 16, introducing a new visitor centre, cultural experiences, regional food and improved facilities along the Great Ocean Road.
At the centre of the project is the 3,300-square-metre Keerray Woorroong Visitor Centre, designed in consultation with Eastern Maar.
The new facility will explore the area’s cultural history, geology, environment and connection to Country through exhibitions, artefacts and guided experiences.
A Welcome Garden will incorporate native landscaping and Eastern Maar stories, while the Great Ocean Lookout rooftop garden and observation area will provide views across the Southern Ocean.
Andre Smaniotto, Twelve Apostles Visitor Precinct General Manager, said the redevelopment was intended to encourage visitors to spend more time understanding the destination and exploring the wider region.
“The new Visitor Centre gives people the opportunity to slow down, discover the stories of this remarkable place and experience the coast through a broader lens,” Mr Smaniotto said.
The precinct will also include a 230-seat café, outdoor kiosk, retail and regional visitor information, with local products from businesses including Timboon Distillery and Timboon Fine Ice Cream.
From October 16, all visitors to the Twelve Apostles will need a timed arrival booking. Bookings are currently free and can be made in advance, although visitors without one will be able to register at the entrance subject to parking capacity.
A booking fee will be introduced from April 2027, with revenue to be reinvested into coastal protection, conservation and visitor infrastructure along the Great Ocean Road.
The visitor centre will operate year-round, from 8am to 8pm during daylight saving and from 9am to 5pm during standard time.
