How much is a view worth? The question is being asked by many Victorians after the state government announced on Monday that visitors to the Twelve Apostles will now be required to pay a fee. Bookings will be required and a fee payable for parking and access to the $126m Twelve Apostles Visitor Centre, the gateway to the viewing decks of the famous sea stacks along the 240km-long Great Ocean Road.
A Growing Trend
While a fee to view an environmental landmark is modern to Victoria, charging for similar experiences is common globally. Major national parks in the United States – including Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Arches and Glacier – all have fee access schemes. In the UK, access fees have been charged at Stonehenge since 1901.
Australia also has precedents for such fees. Fees are payable to access Wineglass Bay and Cradle Mountain in Tasmania, Kosciuszko in New South Wales and Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa in the Northern Territory.
Local Concerns and Safety
Approximately 2.2 million people visit the Twelve Apostles annually, a number the government expects to rise to 3 million by 2032. Locals have expressed concerns about overtourism. Michelle Rowney, a Port Campbell resident and community campaigner, says tourism is so intense she has to “bunker down between November and March … It’s getting worse, and worse.”
Rowney is concerned that charging a fee for the viewing platform may push visitors towards less safe vantage points. Tourists have fallen off the cliffs while attempting to take photos, and nearby Gibson Steps and Loch Ard Gorge have experienced closures due to erosion and needed repairs.
Environment Minister Steve Dimopoulos stated that funds raised will partly head towards safety infrastructure. Opposition leader Jess Wilson suggested the fees are being implemented due to the fact that the government has “run out of money” to fund the park’s work.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is prompting the introduction of fees?
The Victorian government says the fees will help address crowding, protect the environment, and fund necessary infrastructure improvements.
Are there similar fees at other Australian attractions?
Fees are payable to access Wineglass Bay and Cradle Mountain in Tasmania, Kosciuszko in New South Wales and Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa in the Northern Territory.
What are local residents concerned about?
Locals are concerned that charging a fee may push visitors to less safe areas and that the fees go against the idea that national parks should be accessible to everyone.
Will the introduction of fees impact visitor behavior and access to this iconic landmark? Only time will tell.
