4 Days of Adventure & Fine Food in Apollo Bay

Need a little indulgence and a slice of big nature escapism? This four-day seaside adventure will tick all the boxes.

Beachside simplicity, saltwater wellness, world-class seafood and breathtaking beauty. A journey to Apollo Bay is an adventure that will calm your soul and awaken your senses. Apollo Bay is a tranquil harbour village boasting panoramic views, abounding seaside adventures and tasty local seafood; and it’s our top choice for a city detox.

On Victoria’s iconic Great Ocean Road, Apollo Bay and the Great Otway National Park have an abundance of activities to lose yourself, or find yourself in! There’s spectacular scenery, wildlife encounters, curated culture, active adventure or just simply a chance to stop and embrace time with your loved ones.

Apollo Bay is about 2.5 hours south west of Melbourne. If you’re accessing the Great Ocean Road from interstate you can fly into Tullamarine airport (in Melbourne), or, via Avalon Airport near Geelong which is 1.5 hours from Apollo Bay.

DAY 1: Meet the Locals

Stay and play

For our visit to Apollo Bay we chose to stay in one of the beautiful holiday homes provided by Great Ocean Road Holidays. They offer a superb range of boutique holiday homes in and around the Great Ocean Road, and provides plenty of options to suit families and larger groups, from budget to luxury.

The Marengo Marine Sanctuary is a few minutes drive from Apollo Bay. Quinn and his team at Apollo Bay Surf and Kayak can take you on a spectacular adventure to see the playful and inquisitive local Fur Seal colony on a 2 hour sea kayak tour. The ‘Seals by sunset’ tours starting at 6.30pm give you the added benefit of enjoying the beautiful spot at golden hour. Surf lessons, SUP (Stand-Up-Paddleboard) hire and guided walks along the iconic Great Ocean Walk are also all on offer – throughout the warmer months.

Meet local wildlife

The Southern Rock Lobster (crayfish) tops the seafood wish list and the Fisherman’s Co-Op located at the Apollo Bay Harbour is the go-to for freshly caught crayfish…the local fishermen are also happy to share hot tips on how to prepare and cook your own ‘crays’.

The amazing Wildlife Wonders, is located 5km west of Apollo Bay. There is a 75-minute walk through a natural Otways bushland setting with dedicated conservation Guides, where you’ll get to meet the real locals; potoroo, wallabies, koalas, kangaroos and a plethora of birdlife. All profits go directly to the Conservation Ecology Centre as the major contributors to conservation and rehabilitation efforts in the Otways. The emu cafe is a great spot for a coffee and delicious sweet treat

Sip and savour

After a day of touring around Apollo Bay it’s time to relax with a local brew from the Great Ocean Road Brewhouse. The Apollo Bay Distillery which is next door to the Brewhouse also offers tasty treats and onsite distilled craft gins made from local botanicals.

For a town that only has 1600 people, Apollo Bay has a wealth of beautiful restaurants, which all feature the local catch and are a short walk from wherever you stay in town. Graze Apollo Bay offers an intimate setting, with an exceptional menu featuring locally sourced produce. Tip: the locals will vouch that chef and owner Julian Toussant cooks the best steak in town.

DAY 2: Otways Big Nature

Start the day with breakfast

Apollo Bay has some great cafes. The Apollo Bay Bakery is a great spot for brekkie and to load up on baked goods for a picnic lunch; make sure to try their famous scallop pie at some stage on your visit!

Located just 10 minutes drive west of Apollo Bay is the 1 hour return walk to Shelley Beach. This trail is part of Victoria’s iconic Great Ocean Walk which offers a one-in-a-lifetime 8 day hike along some of Victoria’s most spectacular coastline. At Elliott River, the walk from the carpark (about a 20 minute drive from Apollo Bay) takes you through cool gullies and beautiful tree ferns to emerge onto Shelley Beach with stunning ocean views.

Take in some local history

The Lightstation is the oldest surviving lighthouse on mainland Australia and considered the most significant. Built in 1848, the lighthouse, known as the ‘Beacon of Hope’, sits 90 metres above the pristine ocean of Bass Strait. There is also accommodation at the Lightstation, for those who want to stay for a truly unique experience here.

40 minutes from the Cape is the Otway Fly Treetop Adventures and a number of beautiful rainforest walks and waterfalls. The Otway Fly has a 2.5-hour Zip Line tour through the trees and a 600 metre canopy walk through the treetops. The ancient Myrtle Beech trees are a stunning 2000 years old species while the impressive Mountain Ash trees tower to over 100 meters and classified as the world’s tallest flowering plant.

Waterfalls and more

15 minutes from the Otway Fly takes you along Binns Road to weave your way back to Apollo Bay. Note that part of this road is unsealed so not suitable for everyone or for hire vehicles. There are plenty of spots to stop. Hopetoun Falls is one of the most photographed waterfalls in the country and is situated next to the California Redwood forest – a truly stunning setting for a picnic and one of the Otways best kept secrets.

In Lavers Hill, you will find The Perch – which is literally perched on top of the hill. True to supporting local producers, plus growing a lot of their own ingredients (including some vines we’re excited about), owner Dean and Gabrielle provide a unique experience – country hospitality combined with dishes to match a city palate.

DAY 3: Otways Active Adventure

It's biking time

Adventure is always on our bucket list and just a 30 minute drive north of Apollo Bay takes you to the township of Forrest which happens to be one of Australia’s mountain bike meccas.

We had breakfast at the Forrest General store so we could make an early start. There are 70kms of purpose built mountain bike trails situated in the breathtaking scenery of the Great Otway National Park. There are some super fun rides in and around the township – the Red Carpet trail was a highlight for us which we can strongly recommend for intermediate riders. There’s also a skills park and pump track – perfect for kids or those perfecting their jumps. You can hire bikes of all sizes from Forrest Mountain Bike Hire.

Stop by Lake Elizabeth

A short drive from Forrest is the beautiful Lake Elizabeth. The lake is a 20-minute walk from the car park (there is also campground here you can book via Parks Victoria). If you come at dusk or dawn you might get to spot a platypus. Allow at least 2 hours here to do the loop walk and give yourself time to relax in the beautiful setting here.

Stevenson’s Falls is in the Otway State Forest and a short detour on the journey back to Apollo Bay. Note the access is via a gravel road. There is a redwood grove, a blue spruce plantation, toilet facilities, lots of seating and picnic tables – and the waterfall is the most accessible in the region. The new boardwalks and interpretive experiences here were co-designed with local disability advocates. Make your way back to Apollo Bay for a well-deserved rest, and head to the Apollo Bay Hotel for a relaxed dinner.

DAY 4: Slowing Down The Pace

Iconic views

Marriner’s Lookout is a must for any visit to Apollo Bay to capture that iconic view of the coastline here and across Apollo Bay. Drive up to the lookout car park to take the short but steep 20-minute return walk. The lookout offers expansive views across the town and Southern Ocean, merely put, it will take your breath away!

Dooley’s Premium Ice Cream is something that needs to be experienced slowly and repeatedly. The Dooley’s shop wall is plastered with Australian Dairy Awards and it’s easy to understand why! Dooley’s ice-cream is absolutely the BEST ice cream we have ever had! You can try-before-you-buy so that there’s no reason to share…and discover some of the more unique flavours like vegemite or chilli.

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