From 1 July 2026, the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority (GORCAPA) will take on the primary management of a number of parks and reserves along the Great Ocean Road. 

This change brings the management of these iconic coastal places under a single organisation, supporting a more coordinated approach to protecting the environment, caring for cultural values, and managing increasing visitor numbers. 

Land management responsibilities in the region have been progressively transitioning to GORCAPA since 2020. GORCAPA’s sole purpose is to protect, conserve, enhance and manage the Great Ocean Road coast and parks from Point Impossible in Torquay to Hopkins River in Warrnambool. Parks Victoria has been working closely with GORCAPA to build the knowledge and skills to help address the challenges of high and increasing visitation, environmental processes, and the impacts of severe weather events and climate change. 

Parks Victoria will continue to manage parks and reserves across the rest of Victoria. 

There is no change to public access. Parks, attractions and visitor sites along the Great Ocean Road will remain open and operating as usual.

Parks now managed by GORCAPA 

The transition includes some of the region’s most well-known destinations. 

National and coastal parks 

• Parts of the Great Otway National Park (remaining areas will stay with Parks Victoria) 
• Port Campbell National Park 
• Bay of Islands Coastal Park 
• Melba Gully
   

Marine parks and sanctuaries 

• Twelve Apostles Marine National Park 
• Point Addis Marine National Park 
• Point Danger, Eagle Rock and Marengo Reefs Marine Sanctuaries 
• The Arches and Merri Marine Sanctuaries 
  
  

Camping bookings 

From 1 July 2026, bookings for some campgrounds along the Great Ocean Road will move to the GORCAPA website. 

If you’re planning a trip, check which campgrounds are managed by GORCAPA and book directly through their website. 

Bookings for Parks Victoria‑managed campgrounds will continue to be available through the Parks Victoria website.

Honouring the legacy of Parks Victoria’s Colac-Otway rangers

For decades, many Parks Victoria rangers have cared for the Otways and the coast, delivering important land and environmental management across the area. After bushfire and flood events, they have stabilised landscapes, restored tracks and visitor facilities, and supported ecosystem recovery.

These rangers have also protected native biodiversity through ongoing pest and weed control, helped manage visitor safety at some of Victoria’s busiest coastal destinations, and cared for popular walking tracks and camping areas such as the Great Ocean Walk, Surf Coast Walk and Erskine Falls

Alongside this, they supported the delivery of landmark visitor infrastructure, including the viewing platforms at the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge, helping people safely experience these iconic places.

We thank these rangers for their lasting contribution and dedication to these special landscapes and wish them all the best as they transition to GORCAPA.