Visitors to the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge over summer are encouraged to plan ahead, with increased traffic expected and temporarily reduced access to some visitor spots.

From Christmas Day and through January there will be changes to speed limits and parking arrangements to safely manage peak period visitation along this section of the Great Ocean Road.

Over a number of years this traffic and visitor plan has helped manage the high volume of vehicles that comes to the Port Campbell National Park each summer. In previous years, daily peaks of 15,000 visitors have been recorded.

The plan will also be implemented during the Chinese New Year holidays and Easter long weekend, two other traditionally busy periods.

Projects to improve the visitor experience are underway in the park this summer as part of the Victorian Government’s Shipwreck Coast Master Plan. This includes a new ‘Saddle Lookout’ at the Twelve Apostles due to be completed soon. Works on another new lookout, at the nearby Loch Ard Gorge precinct, will commence early in the new year.

Once complete, these projects will provide a safer and more accessible way for the millions who visit to experience this stunning coastal and cultural landscape.

With construction of new visitor facilities and summer holiday crowds, park rangers are encouraging visitors to check park conditions and arrive early.

Rangers are also asking visitors to take care of themselves and the park, by observing the traffic conditions, staying on formed tracks, taking rubbish home, and being safe around the water.

Visitors can extend their trip to other nearby attractions such as the Bay of Islands, Bay of Martyrs, London Bridge, and local townships like Port Campbell, Timboon and Cobden.

Traffic and road safety changes

25 December 2023 – 2 January 2024, then weekends through January

• Roadside barriers: To prevent illegal and unsafe roadside parking, barriers will be installed along sections of the Great Ocean Road around the Twelve Apostles Visitor Centre, Gibson Steps and Loch Ard Gorge carpark entrance. The barriers will remain in place until April 2024
• Speed limit reductions: To ensure the safety of pedestrians and drivers, the speed limit in these same locations will be reduced to 40km during operational times, and 60km otherwise. (‘Operational times’ are generally from 11am to 6pm when traffic controllers are actively managing traffic. When the controllers are not working, the speed limit will be 60km)
• Traffic control: Signage and dedicated traffic control staff will direct vehicles to ensure traffic flow into and around carparks and overflow areas.

Quotes attributable to Parks Victoria, Area Chief Ranger, Tamara Karner:

“There’s a lot going on in Port Campbell National Park this summer as we deliver important projects and safely manage visitors and the landscape.”

“To make sure everyone enjoys their visit I encourage people arrive early, follow the direction of traffic management, and then explore more of this beautiful part of Victoria.”

“Nearby are many more natural attractions like the Bay of Islands, Bay of Martyrs and London Bridge, as well as accessible towns like Port Campbell, Timboon, Princetown and Cobden.”