• A $126 million transformation of the Twelve Apostles Precinct will open on 16 October, creating a new gateway to the Great Ocean Road and changing the way visitors arrive at, experience and understand one of the world’s great natural landmarks.

Anchored by the new 3,300-square-metre Keerray Woorroong Visitor Centre, the Twelve Apostles Precinct transforms a famous photo stop into a richer experience designed to encourage visitors to stay longer and explore more of the Great Ocean Road.

The world-class Visitor Centre brings together Eastern Maar culture and perspectives,

immersive exhibitions and digital experiences, local food and drink, regional visitor information, guided experiences and the Great Ocean Lookout rooftop garden and observation area, with sweeping views across the Southern Ocean.

Designed in consultation with Eastern Maar, the Visitor Centre provides an opportunity to understand the iconic coast through the perspectives of one of the world’s oldest living

cultures. Interactive displays, artefacts and guided experiences explore the deep history and geology of the place, ecological wonder, the changing coastline and the people connected to Country.

A new Welcome Garden shares Eastern Maar culture through native gardens and trails, while the dedicated Keerray Woorroong experience brings together audiovisual and static displays exploring millions of years of climate and geological history and the environmental story of the national park and surrounding region.

Twelve Apostles Visitor Precinct General Manager Andre Smaniotto says one the world’s great natural landmarks now has so much more to experience than the famous view.

“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,” he says.

“From Eastern Maar culture and the natural environment to local food, regional stories and spectacular views across the Southern Ocean, we want visitors to leave with a deeper

connection to this place as well as a desire to explore more of the Great Ocean Road.”

The Visitor Centre will help visitors discover the wider region through expert advice, itineraries and local insights, with Visitor Ambassadors, talks and guided experiences bringing the precinct and surrounding region to life. Inclusive family, accessible and sensory facilities will support a broad range of visitors.

Food and drink will also be central to the experience, with a 230-seat café and a walk-up kiosk overlooking the Welcome Garden. The offering will include products from local businesses including Timboon Distillery and Timboon Fine Ice Cream, with indoor and outdoor dining providing opportunities to enjoy the landscape and flavours of the region.

The precinct is also expected to support regional tourism by encouraging longer stays and

spreading visitors across the region, creating ongoing benefits for local businesses, hospitality venues and accommodation providers.

From 16 October, every visitor will need a booking to visit the Twelve Apostles. Bookings are made via twelveapostles.org.au and are currently free. Visitors without a booking will be able to make one at the entrance gate, although entry may not be immediate if parking has reached capacity. Advance bookings are strongly recommended.

A fee for bookings will be introduced in April 2027, with all revenue directly reinvested into coastal protection, conservation and improvements to the visitor experience across the coast and parks of the Great Ocean Road.

The Keerray Woorroong Visitor Centre will operate 365 days a year, with building hours from 8am to 8pm during daylight saving and 9am to 5pm during standard time.

The Twelve Apostles Precinct redevelopment represents a $126 million investment funded through the Geelong City Deal, with Development Victoria as project delivery lead, Grimshaw and Aspect Studios as lead building and landscape architects, and the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority as site and facility operator.

For bookings and more information, visit twelveapostles.org.au.