Eastern Maar culture and history are at the heart of a new $126 million visitor centre at the iconic Twelve Apostles site on Victoria's Great Ocean Road.
The 3,300 square metre precinct aims to enrich the experience of visitors at the site, with the seven million people that go there each year expected to rise.
The precinct has been named Keerray Woorroong Visitor Centre, to honour and acknowledge the connection of Traditional Owners to the region. The limestone stacks are part of the Traditional lands and waters of the Eastern Maar Nation and the Gadubanud and Kirrae Whurrong peoples.
The cultural focus at the visitor centre was conceived by Traditional Owners, who remained engaged with government, tourism and construction partners throughout delivery of the project.
'Keerray Woorroong' is the name of the Country and language of the area's Indigenous people, the Eastern Maar, a collective of First Nations groups who are Traditional Owners of the land in south-western Victoria.
Indigenous workers are part of the 100-strong staff at the visitor centre, while First Nations producers and businesses are among a cohort of those hired and already servicing the operation.
The centre features a gallery for exhibitions and digital experiences, a Great Ocean Lookout rooftop garden and observation area, as well as retail, information spaces and inclusive family, accessible and sensory facilities.
Outside, a new Welcome Garden will share Eastern Maar culture through Native gardens, gathering areas and trails. A dedicated Keerray Woorroong experience of audio-visual and static displays explores millions of years of climate and geological history, and the environmental story of the surrounding region.
Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation chief executive Marcus Clarke said returning Traditional language to a place it always belonged was meaningful in many ways.
"Naming this centre 'Keerray Woorroong' is a small but powerful act of returning language to the place it has always belonged," he said on Wednesday.
Mr Clarke hoped the new visitor centre would be where many of the millions who visit the Twelve Apostles each year first learnt of, or connected with, local Indigenous culture in the region.
"We hope this centre is just the beginning for many visitors," he said of the popular tourism site where just seven of the original 12 limestone stacks remain.
"A moment that sparks genuine curiosity and a desire to learn more about Eastern Maar culture, history and Country ... one that reflects Kirrae Whurrong Culture and our shared history, while harmonising with the natural landscape."
Cultural attractions are prominent at the centre, and includes plinths featuring significant objects, a central skylight representing connection to Sky Country, and a spectacular Kooyang (short-finned eel) artwork woven through the precinct landscaping.
Traditional Country of the Eastern Mar Nation stretches from Ararat in the north down to the coast, encompassing Warrnambool, Port Fairy, the Great Ocean Road and the Twelve Apostles, also extending 100 metres out to sea.
The project was funded by the Federal ($88m) and Victorian ($38m) governments.
The new precinct will showcase the history of maritime impacts, shipwrecks and the geomorphology of the Shipwreck Coast of Victoria. It will also offer a 230-seat café, kiosk, visitor information spaces and facilities, Native gardens, gathering areas, paths to the coastline and car parking for almost 1000 cars.
Federal Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories, Catherine King, said the natural wonder of the Twelve Apostles was already a drawcard for millions of people, and the new centre a sustainable investment in tourism on Victoria's southwest coast.
"The redevelopment is already playing an important part in the local economy and will encourage even more visitors to spend time in the region, boosting jobs and businesses," she said.
Locals and members of the Eastern Maar Indigenous community will not be charged to access the area when a paid booking system is introduced in April.
