New Twelve Apostles Precinct will transform the region into a truly world-class tourism destination
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11.03.2022

New Twelve Apostles Precinct will transform the region into a truly world-class tourism destination

Artist impression of the Twelve Apostles Visitor Experience Centre, arial view – subject to change.

Once complete, the Twelve Apostles Precinct will change how visitors experience the region.

Hailed one of the bucket list places to visit in the region and sprawling out for 243km around Victoria, the Great Ocean Road is one of nature’s most marvellous creations and a place you have to set out to visit at least once in your life, and included in that is the famed Twelve Apostles. Attracting over 1.2 million visitors annually, the eight remaining rock formations are a must-see sight along the Great Ocean Road and are best viewed at dawn or dusk when the coastline is bathed in pastel light.

Now, this beloved tourist attraction is set to get a major glam up with award-winning architects leading the way as part of a new multi-million project.

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Federal Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, and Victorian Minister for Regional Development, the Hon Mary-Anne Thomas MP, this week announced that internationally renowned Grimshaw Architects, in partnership with the Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation, will design the coastal works projects as part of the Twelve Apostles Precinct Redevelopment Project.

Grimshaw is a global design practice engaged in architecture, master planning and industrial design. Among Grimshaw Architects past projects include London Bridge Station, YTL Arena Complex, Shanghai Disney Resort Tomorrowland, among many others, promising to deliver the Coast the same highest possible standards of excellence they have across the world.

Grimshaw will design the first phase of the Twelve Apostles Precinct, which is set to enhance the region’s appeal as a world-class tourism destination. This $108.15 million project will redevelop and protect the Twelve Apostles, the Shipwreck Coast and the Great Ocean Road as a distinctive environmental and cultural tourism destination.

The redevelopment is part of the $500 million Geelong City Deal – a 10-year partnership to transform Geelong and the Great Ocean Road between the Australian and Victorian governments and the City of Greater Geelong.

The coastal works projects include a new Twelve Apostles viewing deck and amphitheatre, safer beach access and a lookout at Gibson Steps, improved walking trails, revegetation of Loch Ard Gorge, and weather protection pod that will shield visitors from the elements at Loch Ard Gorge.

The Twelve Apostles precinct will also include a new world-class Visitor Experience Centre that will form the gateway to the Shipwreck Coast and the precinct. Local community and stakeholders were extensively consulted, over three years during the development of the Shipwreck Coast Masterplan.

Artist impression of the Twelve Apostles Visitor Experience Centre, foyer – subject to change.

Grimshaw Architects will work alongside key stakeholders to design the coastal works package within this exciting regional project. The local community will be able to have their say on some of the concept designs for the coastal works projects later in 2022.

“The Twelve Apostles Precinct Redevelopment Project under the Geelong City Deal is helping prepare for an increase in domestic and international visitors to the region, which will provide a welcome economic boost growth for both businesses and the local community,” says Australian Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP.

“The Geelong City Deal is an example of the Commonwealth Government’s investment in important infrastructure across the region, which is helping to create jobs, future-proof our regions and support the local economy.”

The Project is expected to be complete in 2024-2025.

For more information about the project visit http://www.rdv.vic.gov.au/twelveapostles.

For more information on the Geelong City Deal, head here