General News
17 September, 2025
Great Ocean Road tourism boom
TWO major tourist attractions along the Great Ocean Road were last week visited by Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Steve Dimopoulos.
As part of the visits, Mr Dimopoulos officially opened the new $8 million lookout at Loch Ard Gorge named Poombeeyt Koontapool, meaning ‘breath of the whale’ in the Keerray Woorroong language, alongside representatives from Eastern Marr Aboriginal Corporation.
The blowhole lookout will provide the hundreds of thousands of tourists a year who travel the Great Ocean Road with a new, safer viewing platform and a more accessible experience.
Corangamite Shire mayor councillor Kate Makin said this new development would enhance visitors experience along the Great Ocean Road.
“We know we have eight million visitors a year to the 12 Apostles so for them to come along and see this experience as well is fantastic,” she said.
“It builds on the experience they’re getting along the Great Ocean Road.
“Understanding that the State Government have an appreciation for what’s along the Great Ocean Road and really putting back into the area is fantastic for the Corangamite Shire and everyone in the region.”
Mr Dimopoulos also announced the First Peoples Tourism Plan for Victoria 2025-2030 to support First Peoples’ participation in the state’s $40 billion tourism sector and create opportunities for visitors to engage more deeply with First Peoples’ culture.
“The stunning Poombeeyt Koontapool lookout will provide a new experience for the many visitors drawn to this iconic and culturally significant part of Victoria,” he said.
“The First Peoples Tourism Plan will provide more support to this growing sector, ensuring we grow these unique attractions and experiences – and our $40 billion visitor economy.”
Mr Dimopoulos’ visit included a site visit to the Twelve Apostles Visitor Experience Centre, which has just finished the structural completion of a rooftop lookout.
The milestone was marked with the planting of a Sheoak tree, the first of an extensive revegetation program at the precinct.
The project is part of a $126 million investment through the Geelong City Deal.
Upon competition, which is set for late next year, the centre will encourage longer stays and increased spending in the region.
Mr Dimopoulos said the visitor centre would not only benefit tourists but the local community as well.
“I think in the end the community should reap some economic benefit from tourists who come in and actually, to this stage, have not spent enough time or dollars in this place,” he said.
“Things like this keep them here longer and that means the whole community benefits.
“When you are planning your holiday, with investments like this, no longer will travel agents overseas say you can do the Great Ocean Road and Twelve Apostles in one day.
“They’ll say you need two nights.
“That’s what we’re trying to get to, is they’ll go to the pubs, the local towns – this is as important for the local community just as it is for tourism.”