AusLeisure

To cater for expected large numbers of Asian visitors to the Twelve Apostles on Victoria’s Great Ocean Road over the 2017 Chinese New Year, Parks Victoria will be welcoming Chinese visitors with free talks in Mandarin during their visit.

Parks Victoria Seasonal Ranger Yan Ma will be giving free talks in Mandarin about the geology, history and native plants and animals of the Port Campbell National Park and the Twelve Apostles during Chinese New Year – which occurs this year on Saturday 28th January, with the holiday period extending from 26th January to 14th February.

Victoria Area Chief Ranger Michael Smith explains “Yan Ma is also very happy to chat and answer questions. Talk times are advertised in the Twelve Apostles kiosk and in the main walkway.”

Smith is encouraging visitors to stay overnight locally and visit the Twelve Apostles site in the morning, if time allows, adding “getting to the Twelve Apostles before 11.00am will help visitors avoid the busiest times.

“The walking path from the Twelve Apostles kiosk to Gibson Steps is an easy twenty-minute stroll through coastal scrub with breath-taking views of the Twelve Apostles and coastal seascapes. This solves queuing up for a car park at the Gibson Steps and helps visitors to make the most of their time.

“Also on offer are less busy but still remarkable sites such as Bay of Martyrs. A roadside stop provides a magical spot to take photos of the chain of islands marching back through blue seas to distant horizons. Visitors can take the staircase down to the beach for a closer view or even a refreshing dip.

“Traffic management personnel will be directing traffic and tour bus parking in the Twelve Apostles car park throughout the holiday period. To help with the demand for parking, large tour buses will be directed to another option off-site.

“Parking will also be limited at other popular nearby visitor sites in the Port Campbell National Park. Parks Victoria will be managing traffic along the Great Ocean Road at Twelve Apostles, Gibson Steps, Glenample Homestead and Loch Ard Gorge car parks. Only one car will be allowed in as another leaves at Gibson Steps and Loch Ard Gorge. There is no parking permitted along the Great Ocean Road itself.

“Another great way to enjoy the area’s attractions is to experience the Great Ocean Walk. Perhaps step on at Princetown, and walk the eight kilometres to the Twelve Apostles. Breathe that wonderful sea air while soaking up stunning coastal outlooks and ever-changing views of the limestone stack formations.”

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