Since October 16, visitors to the Twelve Apostles on Victoria's Great Ocean Road must book a timeslot through the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority, the Sydney Morning Herald reports. Slots are free for now, but the state government plans to introduce a fee; walk-ups can book at the entrance but may wait if the precinct is full. Local MP Richard Riordan has criticised the planned fee.

The $126 million Keerray Woorroong Visitor Centre, funded $88 million federally and $38 million by Victoria, was co-designed with the Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation and has a 230-seat cafe, rooftop lookout and parking for more than 950 vehicles, according to the government. A path to the viewing platforms makes a walk of about 2 km return. Only seven stacks remain standing.

Instead of turning up unbooked on a busy summer day, consider booking an early or late timeslot online before you set off.