Tour operator license - Bells Beach

It is illegal to conduct an organised tour or recreational activity for profit on public land without holding a tour operator licence. This applies to all tour operators and activity providers, whether they be one person operations or large companies and includes vehicle based, walking or riding sightseeing tours.

Council no longer issues or administers tour operator licences for the Bells Beach Surfing Recreation Reserve.

From 1 July 2023, under State Government legislation (Crown Land Reserves Act 1978, the Great Ocean Road Coast & Parks Authority are the land manager responsible for the application, assessment and administration of tour operator licence permits.

A tour operator licence granted before 1 July 2023, which permitted the licence holder to conduct a tour or recreational activity on land in the Great Ocean Road coast and parks, continues to permit the licence holder to conduct that tour or activity on that land on and after that commencement, unless the licence is otherwise varied, suspended or cancelled.

For new licences, the Great Ocean Road Coast & Parks Authority, with the approval of the Minister in writing, may grant a licence to a person to conduct an organised tour or recreational activity for profit on Crown Land such as Bells Beach to a person who has applied for a Tour Operator licence. The license terms are a maximum of ten years and fees are set in regulation to be consistent State-wide.

See the website for further information - https://www.forestsandreserves.vic.gov.au/tour-operators