Page last updated: 13 July 2025
The Great Ocean Road is renowned for its natural beauty, shipwreck history, and cultural diversity. A four-hour drive along the road leads to the 12 Apostles, famous for their striking rock formations and the rich marine life inhabiting Victoria’s limestone reefs.
How many people visit the Great Ocean Road and the 12 Apostles every year?
Over 6.8 million tourists visit the Great Ocean Road each year, with the 12 Apostles alone attracting over 2.8 million visitors annually as of 2024.
- Before the pandemic, visitor numbers peaked at 7.4 million in 2019, while in 2023, the destination recorded 6.3 million visitors, approximately 85% of pre-pandemic levels.
- The Great Ocean Road recorded approximately 6.8 million total visitors in 2024, about 92% of the pre-pandemic peak.
How many tourists visited the Great Ocean Road in 2024?
Over 6.8 million tourists visited the Great Ocean Road in 2024.
- Domestic tourists made up the majority of Great Ocean Road visitors at 85% (5.78 million), while international visitors accounted for 15% (1.02 million) of total tourists in 2024.
How many tourists visited the Great Ocean Road in 2023?
Over 6.3 million tourists visited the Great Ocean Road in 2023.
- Domestic tourists accounted for approximately 90% (5.7 million), while international visitors comprised 10% (0.6 million) of total arrivals in the Great Ocean Road in 2023.
How many tourists visit the Great Ocean Road each day?
- The Great Ocean Road welcomes an average of 18,600 visitors daily in 2024, approaching the pre-pandemic peak of 20,300 daily visitors recorded in 2019.
- The 12 Apostles site specifically averages 7,700 visitors per day, with peak days reaching up to 11,000 visitors during Chinese Lunar New Year festivities.
How much do visitors spend at the Great Ocean Road every year?
Tourists spend over AUD 1.7 billion on the Great Ocean Road each year.
- Tourist spending reached AUD 1.5 billion before the pandemic in 2019, and AUD 1.6 billion in total spending in 2023, 7% higher than 2019 levels.
- Tourist total spending continued to grow to AUD 1.7 billion in 2024, 13% higher than pre-pandemic figures.
How much do tourists spend on the Great Ocean Road in 2024?
Tourists spend AUD 1.7 billion on the Great Ocean Road in 2024.
- Domestic tourists contributed 86% (AUD 1.46 billion), while international visitors accounted for 14% (AUD 0.24 billion) of total spending in 2024.
- This represents a 6% increase from 2023 and stands 13% higher than the pre-pandemic figure of AUD 1.5 billion in 2019.
How much does it cost to visit the Great Ocean Road?
The average cost to visit the Great Ocean Road varies by travel style, but the attractions themselves are free to visit.
- Self-drive visitors: Approximately AUD 100-200 per day (fuel, food, and budget accommodation).
- Day tour from Melbourne: Approximately AUD 120-150 per person for a guided bus tour.
- Helicopter flights: Optional scenic flights over the 12 Apostles cost AUD 145-275 per person for 15 minutes.
- Entry fees: The Great Ocean Road has no tolls, and the 12 Apostles viewing areas have no entry fees.
Which countries visited the Great Ocean Road the most?
- China accounts for the largest share of international visitors, making up 18% of international visitors in 2024.
- Other key source markets include the United Kingdom (16%), the United States (12%), Germany (11%), and Malaysia (9%) in 2024.
When is the best time to visit the Great Ocean Road?
The best time to visit the Great Ocean Road depends on weather preferences and crowd tolerance.
- March-May (Autumn): Ideal conditions with mild temperatures, fewer crowds, and stunning coastal colors.
- September-November (Spring): Pleasant weather, moderate crowds, and wildflower blooms.
- June-August (Winter): Quietest period with dramatic ocean conditions but cold, wet weather.
- December-February (Summer): Peak season with warm weather, highest crowds, and fully booked accommodations.
What are the peak tourist months on the Great Ocean Road?
January and December are the peak tourist months for Great Ocean Road tourism in 2024.
- January is the busiest month with approximately 830,000 visitors followed by December with 670,000 visitors.
- April (Easter period) creates a mini-peak with 670,000 visitors, while July school holidays draw 640,000 visitors.
Why do people visit the Great Ocean Road?
The Great Ocean Road attracts visitors primarily for leisure travel (68%), with tourists enjoying its dramatic coastline, natural landmarks, and scenic drives in 2024.
- Visiting friends and relatives accounts for 23% of visitors, making it the second-largest travel purpose.
- Business travelers represent 5% of visitors, attending conferences in coastal towns.
- Education/other purposes comprise the remaining 4% of visitors.
How popular is the Great Ocean Road as a tourist destination?
The Great Ocean Road ranks among Australia’s most iconic tourist destinations.
- The most visited natural attraction in Australia, surpassing Uluru and individual Great Barrier Reef sites.
- National Heritage listed since 2011 for historic and scenic significance.
- 9th most popular road trip globally and #1 in Australia according to international rankings.
- Contributes 12-13% of all tourism spending in regional Victoria.
- The 12 Apostles alone attract 2.8 million annual visitors.
Great Ocean Road Travel Resources
- Car rental prices in Melbourne (long-term, minivan, campervan)
- Car rental prices in Melbourne (MEL) Airport
- Car rental prices in Geelong
- EV Charging Stations in Melbourne
How long do visitors stay on the Great Ocean Road?
Visitors stay an average of approximately 2.8 nights on the Great Ocean Road in 2024.
- Domestic visitors: Stay approximately 2 to 3 nights on average, often doing weekend trips along the coast.
- International visitors: Stay around 4.2 nights on average, typically as part of a broader Australian tour.
- Day trippers: Account for 3.7 million visits annually, primarily from Melbourne.
Great Ocean Road Annual Tourism Report 2019
- The Great Ocean Road welcomed 7.4 million total visitors, comprising 4.5 million day trip visitors and 2.9 million overnight visitors in 2019.
- Domestic visitation accounted for 2.6 million overnight visitors and 3.7 million day trips, contributing approximately AUD 1.4 billion through both overnight travel and day trip travel.
- International visitation accounted for 250,000 overnight visitors and 800,000 day trips in 2019. Domestic and international visitors spent a combined total of AUD 1.5 billion.
- This represented the peak year for tourism before COVID-19, with the 12 Apostles alone attracting 2.2 million visitors.
Impact of Coronavirus – Tourism Statistics 2020-2021
- Total visitors dropped to 3.2 million in 2020, down from 7.4 million in 2019.
- The 12 Apostles saw visits plummet from 2.2 million (2019) to just 791,292 in 2020.
- Tourist spending fell from AUD 1.5 billion in 2019 to AUD 971 million in 2020 and AUD 643 million in 2021.
- During strict lockdowns, the 12 Apostles recorded fewer than 10 visitors per week.
- By 2022, total visitor numbers reached 5.5 million as Australians rediscovered local destinations.
Economic Impact – Great Ocean Road Tourism Statistics 2024
- Tourism contributed AUD 1.22 billion to the Great Ocean Road’s Gross Regional Product in 2023, accounting for 12.7% of the regional economy.
- The sector supports over 13,800 jobs (direct and indirect), making it one of Victoria’s most tourism-dependent regions.
- The 12 Apostles Precinct Redevelopment (AUD 108 million) began construction in 2024 to improve visitor facilities and safety.
- In 2024, the AUD 1.7 billion in visitor spending creates significant flow-on effects for accommodation, restaurants, tours, and retail businesses.
- Day visitors contribute AUD 362 million while overnight visitors contribute AUD 1.34 billion, highlighting the importance of encouraging longer stays.
What to visit on the Great Ocean Road?
- 12 Apostles & Loch Ard Gorge: 2.8 million annual visitors to these iconic limestone formations.
- Coastal Towns: Lorne (1.2 million), Apollo Bay (900,000), and Port Campbell (600,000) have annual visitors.
- Great Otway National Park: 450,000 visitors exploring rainforests, waterfalls, and a lighthouse.
- Surf Beaches: Bells Beach, Torquay, and Jan Juc collectively attract 1.5 million annual visitors.
- Wildlife Experiences: Kennett River koalas and Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve draw 650,000 nature enthusiasts.
- Shipwreck Coast: Historical sites and museums attract 380,000 visitors interested in maritime heritage.
Australia Travel Statistics Resources
- Australia Statistics
Australia Outbound Travel Statistics Resources
- Travel Between Australia and Indonesia
- Travel Between Australia and Japan
- Travel Between Australia and New Zealand
- Travel Between Australia and UK
- Travel Between Australia and USA
Other Statistics Resources
- Car Rental Statistics in Australia
- EV Sales Statistics in Australia
- Fuel Cost Statistics in Australia
References
- TRA: International Visitor Survey, 2019, National Visitor Survey 2019
- TRA: Economic Analysis
- GreatOceanRoad: The Visitor Economy
- MarineandCoasts: Visitor demand and accommodation forecast
- ABCNet: Victoria’s Tourism meltdown