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The Commonwealth Government has announced that Victoria's iconic Great Ocean Road will be placed on Australia's National Heritage List.

It will become one of only 20 of the nation's most iconic coastal places including the Great Barrier Reef and Point Nepean to achieve National Heritage listing, which recognises and protects Australia's most valued natural, Indigenous and historic heritage sites.

The Great Ocean Road, including the Twelve Apostles and world-famous Bells Beach, was added to Australia's National Heritage List because of its extraordinary historic and natural significance to the nation.

Tourism Victoria's Chief Executive, Mark Stone, said it's important that the Great Ocean Road be recognised by the nation as one of Australia's most significant sites as it has been recognised for many years as one of the word's greatest tourism experiences.

Stone explained "the Great Ocean Road is one of the most famous and scenic coastal drives in the world, it is a powerful and spectacular experience.

"Last year, more than 7.5 million visitors from Victoria, interstate and overseas experienced the Great Ocean Road. The magnificent Twelve Apostles, the magic of the Otways and the surf villages along route are a must for many first time visitors to Victoria, and an increasing list of new experiences, events and attractions keep people coming back for more."

The 2011 Great Ocean Road Marathon and Festival of Distance Running, held on the weekend of 14th and 15th May, is expected to attract a record entry of 4,000 participants from approximately 15 countries.

The Great Ocean Road can also now be explored on foot. The 104-kilometre Great Ocean Walk stretches from Apollo Bay to the Twelve Apostles, offering spectacular coastal and forest scenery as it passes through the Otway and Port Campbell National Parks.

Also new to the Great Ocean Road region is a Zip Line Tour by Otway Fly Tree Top Adventures. The first of its kind in Victoria, guests will get a bird's eye view of the pristine rainforest as they glide through the air on the suspended cable ride between nine 'cloud stations' in the treetop canopy.

The Great Ocean Road was constructed as a memorial of the war service and sacrifice of Victoria's First World War servicemen and women. More than 3,000 returned servicemen worked on the construction of the road for 13 years from 1919 to 1932.

The National Heritage listing means the heritage values of the Great Ocean Road, including Bells Beach and the Twelve Apostles, will be protected under national environmental law.

The Great Ocean Road is also one of Australia's 12 most iconic landscapes currently part of the National Landscapes program, a partnership between Tourism Australia and Parks Australia.

23rd October 2009 - NEW WORLD HERITAGE SITE RECOMMENDED FOR DUNEDIN CITY

13th August 2009 - GREAT OCEAN ROAD TO GAIN DIVING WRECK 

7th November 2008 - NATIONAL HERITAGE LISTING FOR ADELAIDE PARK LANDS

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