Apollo Bay

A charming seaside town on the Great Ocean Road with a beautiful beach, working fishing harbour, and excellent access to Great Otway National Park. Worth visiting for its relaxed coastal atmosphere, fresh seafood, and outdoor activities.

Things to do

• Apollo Bay Beach — A long sandy beach perfect for swimming, surfing, and beachcombing with lifeguard patrols during summer months.
• Great Otway National Park — Explore temperate rainforest, limestone caves, and scenic walking trails including the famous Erskine Falls just inland from town.
• Apollo Bay Harbour — Watch fishing boats unload their daily catch at the working harbour, or book a fishing charter for deep-sea or rock fishing experiences.
• Maits Rest Rainforest Walk — A short but immersive 20-minute loop walk through old-growth fern gullies and mountain ash forest within the national park.
• Cape Otway Lightstation — Victoria's oldest lighthouse located 25 kilometres south, offering panoramic coastal views and maritime history exhibitions.
• Otway Fly Treetop Walk — A canopy walk and zipline experience through the rainforest canopy offering a unique perspective on the native ecosystem.

Food to try

• Fresh Local Barramundi — The harbour delivers exceptional barramundi year-round, best enjoyed grilled or pan-seared at waterfront restaurants with minimal preparation to showcase the catch.
• Crayfish and Rock Lobster — Apollo Bay's signature seafood, typically served simply steamed or grilled to highlight the sweet, tender meat from cold Southern Ocean waters.
• Abalone — Locally harvested and often featured as a special at beachfront restaurants, tender when properly prepared and a delicacy throughout the region.
• Fish and Chips from the Harbour — Casual takeaway fish and chips made from the day's fresh catch, best eaten on the beach while watching fishing boats return.
• Whitebait — A delicate local seasonal specialty (spring months), lightly fried or made into fritters and considered a regional favourite.

Local customs & good to know

• Respect Fishing Operations — The harbour is a working commercial space; avoid blocking boats and respect fishermen's space during early morning unloading around 5-7 AM.
• Winter Storm Watching — Apollo Bay transforms during autumn and winter swells attracting surfers worldwide; expect busy beaches and accommodation bookings during storm season (March-September).
• Great Ocean Road Etiquette — The scenic drive is popular but congested; allow extra travel time, use designated lookouts rather than stopping on roadsides, and check road conditions during winter.
• Leave No Trace in National Park — The pristine rainforest is protected; stay on marked trails, remove all rubbish, and avoid picking native plants or disturbing wildlife.