At $65, a grandparent’s annual ticket costs more than twice the $30 adult membership and just under the $70 family price, prompting city councillor Brian Kelson to jokingly ask “What did grandparents do to deserve this”?

However, on deeper examination, grandma and grandpa  get a pretty good deal.

Flagstaff Hill manager Peter Abbott said the $65 membership covered two grandparents and three children for 12 months to visit the maritime village as many times as they wished, plus discounts at local shops.

“We sell quite a lot at Christmas time,” he said.

“During the summer holidays a lot of visitors also buy memberships to enjoy the many events in our program.

“It provides better value than day tickets.

“A membership is also good value because it covers the New Year’s Eve celebration, which alone costs $67 a family ticket, $26 for an adult and $13.95 for children over five.

“Our membership base has grown from 30 when I started to over 650. Most are families and grandparents.”

He said this year’s summer program was the biggest ever with a concerted effort by Flagstaff Hill, the historical society and family history society to lure more visitors up from the beach towards town.

“Warrnambool needs good products to offer tourists with a wide range of attractions.

“We want to get the message out that there’s more to do than just sit on the beach.” The program includes tours to Middle Island to watch Maremma dogs guarding penguins, history tours, cemetery tours and daily and nightly activities at Flagstaff Hill.