It’s Official: The Arthurs Seat Eagle Is Getting A Major Makeover

The Allan government has officially greenlit major upgrades to the Mornington Peninsula’s iconic Arthurs Seat Eagle precinct, including a roller coaster-style luge ride. 

Set to inject $45.4 million in economic activity to the chairlift attraction that already draws 277,000 visitors each year, the upgrades have been designed to ensure year-round tourist appeal and make the facility more accessible and ‘environmentally conscious’. 

The approved plans cover three main projects: expanding the existing café and visitor centre, constructing a new observation tower at the Summit Station, and creating a new luge ride that will follow the natural slope of the hill.

The luge will connect the Base and Summit Stations on a closed-loop track, and will allow those who prefer to stay on solid ground to take in the scenic hillside from a new—and equally breathtaking—vantage point.

A new observation tower at the Summit Station, connected via a sky bridge above Arthurs Seat Road, will rise above the treetops to offer unbeatable 360° views of Port Phillip Bay and the Peninsula.

The coastside chairlift has been a beloved go-to family destination for decades, first opening in 1960 and reopening in 2016 after a break from operations. As part of the government’s approval process, the community was consulted alongside nearby residents, Parks Victoria, Transport for Victoria, and other relevant bodies. 

Local controversy has followed the announcement of the facility’s planned upgrades, with the Save Our Seat community group criticising the plans for prioritising commercial appeal over respect for the natural heritage of the landscape. 

However, Minister for Sport, Tourism and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos says that “attractions like this showcase Victoria to the world”, and the Arthurs Seat Eagle assures that the upgrades will respect the “natural wonders of the area”. 

To find out more about the Arthurs Seat Eagle and the proposed plans, head to their website.