Apollo Bay is a popular tourist destination which is located along the scenic coastal route of Victoria, the Great Ocean Road. You can spend a day at this bay to explore the area and learn the history of the area. To know the history of the place, you can pay a visit to its museums and also go to historical sites such as the shipwreck coast.
Apollo Bay has a stunning crescent-shaped beach, offering the perfect ambience for a day outing. The beach will give you options to relax, take a swim or indulge in water activities like surfing and kayaking. The bay also has some spectacular waterfalls which can be reached through an adventurous hike through forests.
The area also boasts of rich marine life which can be witnessed at the Marengo Reefs Marine Sanctuary. To get a look at the wildlife of the area, you can visit the Wildlife Wonders and spot a Koala and other animals during your Australia trip.
• Spend a day at Apollo Bay Victoria, famed for its rugged scenery and amazing natural wonders.
• Go to the Apollo Bay beach and spend time relaxing, swimming and indulging in various water activities.
• Embark on a short hike and travel through ancient forests to reach some of the area's beautiful waterfalls.
• Take on a historical walk and learn the area’s history from museums, Memorial Arch, and the shipwreck coast.
• Explore Marengo Reefs Marine Sanctuary to admire the beautiful seaweed garden and get closer to Australian seals.
1. By Car: Apollo Bay Victoria is located 120.3 km from the nearest main town, Geelong. It will take 1 hr 42 min via the C119 route. If you are coming from Warrnambool, another important town nearby located 159.1 km away, you can reach in 2 hr 18 min travelling via Great Ocean Rd/B100 by car. Those coming from Melbourne, located 256.4 km away, will need to go via National Highway M8 to reach in 3 hr 21 min.
2. By Bus: Buses to Apollo Bay Victoria are available from Geelong, Warrnambool and Colac. Colac is located 70.4 km away from the destination. It will take 1 hr 4 min from Colac via C119 and C154 to reach by bus.
3. By Train: Train services operated by V/Line are available from Melbourne’s Southern Cross station to Geelong or Warrnambool. From these stations, you will either need to take a bus or travel by hired car to reach Apollo Bay Victoria.
Apollo Bay Victoria remains open throughout the year and can be visited at any time of the year.
1. Best season: Summer is the best season for visiting Apollo Bay Victoria. If you visit during the summer months from December to February, you will be able to enjoy warm weather with longer days and less chance of rainfall. This makes it ideal for spending time on the beach and indulging in water and other adventure activities.
2. Best day in the week: The best day in the week to visit Apollo Bay Victoria is during the weekdays as the place is less crowded on those days. You will be able to enjoy visiting the attractions at your own pace.
3. The Best time of the day: The best time of the day to visit Apollo Bay Victoria is in the morning. The destination has several attractions and visiting early will give you sufficient time to cover most of them.
1. If you visit during the weekend, you can visit the foreshore market on a Saturday and the Apollo Bay Farmers Market on the 3rd Sunday.
2. Pack layers as the weather can be unpredictable, with cool mornings and evenings even in summer.
3. Book your stay in advance, especially during peak tourist seasons and weekends.
4. Explore the Great Otway National Park for hiking and waterfalls, and don't miss the scenic Great Ocean Road drive.
5. Look out for local wildlife, including koalas, kangaroos, and diverse bird species, particularly in the Otway Ranges.
6. Enjoy the beautiful beaches, but always swim between the flags as ocean conditions can change quickly.
7. Try the local seafood and visit the farmers’ market for fresh produce and local delicacies.
If you are visiting Apollo Bay Victoria between May to October, you will be able to indulge in a whale-watching experience. It is during these months that these giant creatures migrate from the polar waters to calve in the waters near the coast. You will find them along the Great Ocean Road, at times approaching within 100 metres of shore. While looking for whales, try to identify the different species of whales such as Humpbacks, Orcas, Southern Right Whales and others.
A must-visit destination during your visit to Apollo Bay Victoria is the Marengo Reefs Marine Sanctuary which stretches over 12 hectares of water. Beginning 150 metres off the shore near Apollo Bay, this sanctuary protects the Little Henty Reef System. While exploring the intertidal reef you will be able to witness tubeworms, abalone and sea snails. Exploring deeper waters, you'll see a beautiful seaweed garden with green and red species and tall Bull Kelp forests. The sanctuary is also the home to the local colony of Australian seals with whom you will be able to get close during a boat or kayaking trip.
Apollo Bay has several picturesque waterfalls and you can visit them by embarking on an adventurous hike. During these hikes you will walk along charming streams and through ancient rainforests. You can opt for Hopetoun Falls which is 1 km away and takes around 30 minutes to reach. You can also hike to reach the spectacular 20-metre Beauchamp Falls which is 3 km(return) and takes an hour. During your journey, look for the koala who may decide to show up on your path.