Australia introduces entry fee for popular natural wonder

Australia expects four million visitors to the Twelve Apostles by 2026, located directly along the famous scenic route, the Great Ocean Road. The freestanding limestone stacks on the southern coast of the state of Victoria are among the country’s most famous natural landmarks and have so far been freely accessible to the public — but that is about to change.

By the end of 2026, a new visitor center costing 126 million Australian dollars (around 70 million Swiss francs) will open on site, and an entrance fee will be introduced. Authorities have not yet finalized how much access to the new center and viewing platforms will cost, but it is expected to be no more than 20 dollars (11 Swiss francs). With this move, the country is following a global trend of curbing mass tourism through entrance fees.

Revenue will be reinvested

According to the Australian government, the fee and the new booking system will enable a phased visitor process at the Twelve Apostles and help protect the sensitive environment.

The new revenue will be invested in infrastructure such as campsites, walking paths, and viewing points along the Great Ocean Road. The popular rock formation will still be visible for free from the highway that passes by.

In peak season from November to March, surging tourist numbers strain both the environment and local communities, as buses and roadside parking—often in unsuitable areas—lead to frequent congestion.

However, the new fee has not been met with entirely positive reactions. It is feared that tourists unwilling to pay may seek out dangerous and unsecured viewpoints instead. Several areas in the surroundings are already closed due to unsafe structural conditions.