Twelve Apostles Precinct Redevelopment
Growing the region’s reputation as a remarkable world-class destination, while enhancing the hinterland, and protecting the national, coastal marine parks.
Overview
The Twelve Apostles Precinct Redevelopment will deliver a world-class Visitor Experience Centre and tourism projects being delivered by the private sector and local council, funded through the Private Sector Business Enablement Fund.
Once complete, the Twelve Apostles Precinct Redevelopment will change how visitors experience the region. It will provide streamlined access to nature’s greatest attractions, while protecting the environment and cultural history at this spectacular location.
The Visitor Experience Centre will provide a world-class gateway to the Shipwreck Coast and safe access to one of the most visited natural landmarks in Australia.
It will be safer and easier to enjoy the area’s stunning natural assets, draw domestic and international visitors, and encourage visitors to stay longer, transforming a day visit into an overnight stay in the Shipwreck Coast region.
Our continuing partnership with the Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation (EMAC), the formally recognised Traditional Owner groups for the area, is at the centre of the project’s codesign and delivery. The partnership recognises Eastern Maar’s ongoing connection and intrinsic relationship with Country, in line with the Eastern Maar Country Plan. It will ensure that Eastern Maar culture is at the forefront of the redevelopment and that the traditional owners benefit from the project now and into the future.
The project is currently expected to be completed by 2026.
Twelve Apostles Precinct Redevelopment
The new Twelve Apostles Visitor Experience Centre is the focus of the precinct’s infrastructure works. Once complete, the world-class centre will be the gateway to the Shipwreck Coast, enhancing and protecting the region’s iconic beauty. The works include:
- Visitor Experience Centre building and lookout
- delivery of a high-quality Welcome Garden
- integrated car and bus parking, including emergency service connectivity
- new road infrastructure and road upgrades
- landscaping works to target pathways and road edging.
The centre will be accessible to ensure people of all abilities can enjoy the global destination.
A new Welcome Garden will celebrate the rich Biocultural values of the Eastern Maar community, while a garden rooftop lookout will offer breathtaking views.
The Project will also fund water, electricity, and road infrastructure improvements. This will support local businesses and make local services more accessible.
Progress update
- The Twelve Apostles Precinct Redevelopment is moving towards construction phase with the search now on for the right builder to bring the Visitor Experience Centre to life.
- The tender for shortlisted candidates to submit their proposals to build the world-class centre will go live in early June.
- The project team engaged with the community in 2023 to better understand how people use and what they value most about the precinct.
- Please visit Engage Victoria to view the 2023 Engagement Summary Report
- Frequently Asked Questionswill continue to be updated.
Private Sector Business Enablement Fund
The project also delivers the Private Sector Business Enablement Fund (PSBEF) which was designed to help fund underlying infrastructure to support private sector investment in the Shipwreck Coast and Great Ocean Road regions.
Progress update
The following projects have been awarded:
- Princetown Enabling Public Works – upgrades to the intersection of the Great Ocean Road and Old Coach Road, an upgrade to Old Coach Road, construction of a replacement bridge and a new trail providing improved public access to the Princetown Recreation Reserve and enabling infrastructure for a proposed eco-lodge facility, Princetown Eco Stay.
- Kangaroobie Camp – an upgrade to wastewater treatment facilities to support expansion of camp accommodation facilities, completed late 2022.
- Great Ocean Road Retreat, Peterborough – power and telecommunication instillation, road and stormwater infrastructure to support an accommodation investment.
- 12 Apostles Hot Springs Resort – enabling infrastructure including sewer and stormwater connections, portable water and road infrastructure to support the Hot Springs Resort accommodation investment.
- Power Creek Footbridge – fabrication and installation of a new footbridge, associated landscaping works and visitor amenities.
- The Villas-Anglesea Golf Club – service road civil works, sewer and stormwater connections, new power connection, potable water and NBN connection infrastructure to support construction of accommodation villas.
- Expansion of the Apollo Bay Fishermen’s Co-Operative Society building – enhancing operations and support of culinary, cultural and tourism experiences for visitors as a major tourism hub in Apollo Bay.
- Intersection Realignment and Road Sealing – at the Princetown Road and Gallum Road intersection to improve safety and accessibility at the Apostles Whey Cheese Factory.
The Private Sector Business Enablement Fund is now closed. No further funding rounds are available.
Objectives of Program
This investment will shift the perception of the Shipwreck Coast and the Twelve Apostles Precinct from a day trip destination to an overnight and multi-day visitor experience, while maintaining the region’s unique local character and reducing the impacts of increased visitation on the local community.
This project will deliver tourism infrastructure projects for the Shipwreck Coast and the Twelve Apostles Precinct to strengthen the region as a leading tourist destination and ensure benefits flow to local communities.
Background
Visitor numbers to the Great Ocean Road and Shipwreck Coast are expected to increase. To support this, the region needs better visitor facilities, services, and experiences. Walkways and viewing platforms will also be improved in the Port Campbell National Park. This will allow visitors to enjoy the coast's beauty and still protect the environment and cultural values.
The Victorian Government’s Shipwreck Coast Masterplan (SCMP) was developed in 2015. It aims to protect the coastline between Princetown and the Bay of Islands, attract more visitors and boost local jobs and the economy.
The SCMP guides public land management along the Shipwreck Coast. It will help build business confidence and investment on the coast and hinterland.
We consulted the local community and key stakeholders about the SCMP over three years. The Plan has 72 long-term initiatives which guide investment in facilities and infrastructure. Further information on the SCMP can be found on the Victorian Government Shipwreck Coast website.
As part of a $24.5 million investment in the SCMP, Parks Victoria is working with the Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation on initial projects in the Port Campbell National Park. These projects are:
- a new lookout at the ‘Saddle’ in the Twelve Apostles Precinct that will expand viewing areas and improve accessibility for growing visitor numbers
- another lookout at 'The Blowhole' at Loch Ard Gorge
- a new 60m pedestrian bridge which has been built over Port Campbell Creek, connecting Port Campbell to the national park.
The Shipwreck Coast priority projects build on Parks Victoria’s work and represent the next stage of development under the SCMP.
Funding Details
The Australian and Victorian Governments are funding the $126 million Twelve Apostles Precinct Redevelopment through the Geelong City Deal, a collaborative plan to transform Geelong and the Great Ocean Road by the Australian and Victorian Governments and local councils.
Federal Mills Precinct, 33 Mackey Street
North Geelong VIC 3220 Level 2, Harrison Place
237 Ryrie Street
Geelong VIC 3220
Phone: 1800 950 145