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Apollo Bay information and attractions

Introduction:

Apollo Bay is located between Lorne and Cape Otway on Victoria's scenic coastal route, the Great Ocean Road.

As a popular tourist destination, Apollo Bay offers both swimming and surf beaches, as well as a large boat harbour and marina which is home to a major fishing fleet. The town's commercial centre, which features a good selection of restaurants and cafes, is situated along one side of the Great Ocean Road, overlooking a wide, grassy foreshore which fronts the main swimming beach. Another popular beach is located at the mouth of the Barham River in Mounts Bay.

Overlooking Apollo Bay are rolling green hills, which create quite a scenic backdrop when viewed from the beach, foreshore or shops. Panoramic views down to the town and along the coast can be enjoyed from the Marriners Lookout, located at the northern end of town.

A couple of museums are worth exploring in Apollo Bay. There is the Bass Strait Shell Museum, at the golf course end of town, offering a good collection of local and overseas shells, coral and preserved sea life specimens. The Old Cable Station Museum, on the Great Ocean Road at the northern edge of Apollo Bay, features collections of local memorabilia housed in the former cable station which was used for communications between Tasmania and the Australian mainland.

A popular scenic drive is along the Barham River Road which follows the Barham River inland from the coast through the lush rainforest of the Barham Valley, eventually ending up at the Marriners Falls. The small seaside community of Marengo is located just south of Apollo Bay on the other side of the Barham River and it offers quiet, sandy beaches. A 5 kilometre drive north of Apollo Bay on the Great Ocean Road takes you to Skenes Creek, which is another small and scenic seaside community. Fantastic views of the coast can be enjoyed at Evans Lookout, a couple of kilometres inland from Skenes Creek on the main road to Forrest and Colac.

The rugged and bushy Great Otway National Park, which includes a lighthouse at Cape Otway, is easily accessible, making Apollo Bay a great place to enjoy the coast and the bushy hinterland of the Otway Ranges.

 
Parks, gardens & trails:

Great Ocean Walk
Stretching 91 kilometres from Apollo Bay to near the 12 Apostles, this walking route hugs much of the scenic and rugged coastline, passing through beautiful National Parks, and allowing visitors to enjoy short, day or overnight hikes
Great Otway National Park
Comprises of 103,000 hectares between Anglesea and Princetown, featuring the steep timbered ridges of the Otway Ranges, fern gullies, waterfalls, and a coast with tall cliffs, coves and sandy beaches

Festivals & events:

Apollo Bay Music Festival
A coastal music extravaganza with a large line-up of performers, street theatre and workshops

Local tourist guides:

The Great Ocean Road - Apollo Bay
Tourism guide covering Apollo Bay and the Great Ocean Road
Accommodation in Apollo bay
A selection of unique accommodation venues in Apollo Bay plus information on tours and attractions
Walkabout - Apollo Bay
A travel guide with information on the history of the area and things to see

* All the above links are external and open up in a new window

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