The volcanic lake and wildlife reserve is “underfunded” and its infrastructure has been neglected, according to the new Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism Board which visited the area this week.

Board chairman Wayne Kayler-Thomson yesterday met Tourism Victoria leaders to seek greater support for key attractions where facilities are below international standard. He has also cited the Twelve Apostles visitor centre, Gibsons Steps car park and the ocean road itself as being inadequate. 

The board wants cost-effective practical improvements to existing attractions ahead of multi-million-dollar visionary projects. “Tower Hill is a real gem, but it’s been unloved for a long time,” Mr Kayler-Thomson said. 

“The Aboriginal group running guided tours has been doing it on the smell of an oily rag with virtually no support from the government — that’s a tragedy. 

“They increased visitor numbers by 25 per cent since November.

“This is a top-quality nature-based attraction where visitors can see kangaroos, emus and koalas and engage with Aboriginal culture.

“It’s just what international visitors are looking for and is a prime example of what we need to get more tourists to venture beyond the Twelve Apostles and stay overnight.

“Unfortunately facilities have been neglected due to lack of funding. I’d suggest that $50,000 spent at Tower Hill to support the volunteers would make a hell of a difference.”

He criticised poor maintenance of facilities near the Twelve Apostles — one of Australia’s most visited sites.

“There is no interpretation that really tells the story, the toilets are inadequate and the car park at Gibsons Steps is too small,” he said.

“The $50 million commitment from federal and state government for the Great Ocean Road will go nowhere when there is so much to fix.

“Road surface edges are damaged, railings have rusted and drains haven’t been cleaned for a decade.

“Look closely and you’d be ashamed of it. There’s been a neglect and the gloss is coming off our premier icon.”

The board visited Tower Hill and Warrnambool on Wednesday after holding its monthly meeting in Port Fairy, where the members were welcomed by local operators, who had been without regional umbrella support since Moyne Shire Council cut ties with the former Shipwreck Coast Tourism in 2009.

Mr Kayler-Thomson said the board was keen to visit all sections of the region to encourage operators and see products.

“Our role is to identify priorities that are easily fixable and affordable with funding from the three levels of government and private investment,” he said.