Sovereign Hill reported a 14 per cent drop in visitors from Melbourne in October after petrol prices reached 1.30 cents per litre.

International tourist numbers have also fallen as spiralling petrol prices have pushed long-distance destinations out of the reach of many travellers.

Sovereign Hill chief executive officer Jeremy Johnson said the drop in visitors in October had hit hard.

"When (petrol) prices rose to more than $1.30 it very much cut into our market," he said.

"Obviously as a regional attraction we suffer more than metropolitan tourism and a 14 per cent drop is substantial.

"We are also missing out on international tourists because long haul destinations are becoming more expensive with the rising cost of fuel.

"Because 28 per cent of our visitors are international we stand to be affected by any downturn."

He said the attraction was bracing itself for the possibility of further drops as sport took centre stage in the Commonwealth Games.

"We're budgeting to be down during the Commonwealth Games because we're not sure what impact it will have on the regional market," Mr Johnson said.

"Obviously sport and Melbourne events will get a lot of attention and that might mean that regional and cultural attractions miss out.

"On the other hand it might mean more attention for Victoria in the long run."

Other day-attractions to have reported a drop in visitors since the increase in petrol prices include the Eureka Centre, the Ballarat Aboriginal Cultural Experience and Jet Adventures.

Tourist attractions have not felt the effects of the petrol price evenly with a survey by the Victorian Tourism Industry Council showing an upturn in trading conditions over the past 12 months.

However, Ballarat City Attractions and Tourism manager George Sossi said in Ballarat overnight stays had not been affected.

"Certainly the number of day trips were down and that had an impact on tourist attractions," he said.

"But it's been a bit of a mixed bag over the last few months because the number of visitors at the Visitor Information Centre was five per cent up on the same time last year.

"Some accommodation has reported the numbers have been up and others on the Alfredton side of town are feeling the pinch," he said.

"I think the real test will be over the next few months until the end of January," he said.