Apollo Bay is less than 2.5hrs drive from Melbourne (inland route is faster) making the event possible to do as a day trip from Melbourne.

Melbourne-Apollo Bay (inland via Colac): 195km, less than 2.5hrs drive
Melbourne-Apollo Bay (via Great Ocean Rd): 185km, 3.5 hrs drive

Alternatively, Apollo Bay has a terrific range of accommodation, food and services if you want to make a weekend of it.

ACCOMMODATION

Apollo Bay and surrounding hamlets along the Great Ocean Road offer a huge range of accommodation for all budgets, from five star to budget camping or hostel.

Check out the excellent range of accommodation links below:

Great Ocean Road Visitor Information Centre
Open 9am-5pm daily
Foreshore, 100 Great Ocean Road, Apollo Bay
Ph 03 5237 6529
E gorvic@colacotway.vic.gov.au

Visit website: www.visitapollobay.com or www.visitotways.com

Great Ocean Road Real Estate Apollo Bay
93 Great Ocean Road
Apollo Bay, 3233
Phone +61 3 5237 6258
www.greatoceanroadholidays.com.au

ACCOMMODATION GUIDES

• Apollo Bay Bed & Breakfasts
• Apollo Bay Caravan Parks & Campgrounds
• Apollo Bay Motels & Hotels
• Apollo Bay Self Contained

APOLLO BAY – THE TOWNSHIP

Apollo Bay is a great holiday township and the mid point of the Great Ocean Road and has a complete range of services, accommodation, restaurants - everything a hungry cyclist and their family needs.

Apollo Bay offers a range of holiday options. Thick forests and charming rural scenes blend seamlessly with magical holiday attractions like the long curve of yellow sand on the pristine beach, the picturesque harbour or mighty Cape Patton and it’s lookout.

The township is well positioned to allow you and your family to experience the rugged magic of the Great Ocean Road coastline, the beauty of the Otways countryside and the natural wonders of the Great Otway National Park. It has superb scenery, a brilliant beach, plenty of restaurants, fresh seafood, rainforest, waterfalls, a golf course by the sea and plenty of things to keep non riders happy whilst you’re out on your bike.

Check out the brilliant sculptures on the foreshore drawing their inspiration from the sea. Explore the shops, coffee houses and tasteful restaurants specialising in  fresh local seafood. You’ve just got to have the crayfish when you come to Apollo Bay. Wander down to the wharves where the fishing boats come in. Visit nearby waterfalls, or rainforest and stands of mighty Mountain Ash that seem to fly up from the ground like rockets. This is a place to savour – and certainly one to which you’ll want to keep coming back.

There is a complete range of tours and adventure activities on offer in Apollo Bay, from sea kayaking, mountain biking / argo buggies, horse riding on the beach to charter trips on sailing boats and scenic flights over the nearby Twelve Apostles.

THINGS TO SEE AND DO NEARBY

Otway Fly Treetop Walk (45 min drive). Cyclists in the 140 km Rainforest Circuit visit here.

Perched high in the rainforest near Beech Forest, the Otway Fly provides a stunning treetop walk within a cool temperate rainforest featuring Beech Myrtle, Blackwood and Mountain Ash. Experience a close-up view of the rainforest from 25 metres above the ground. Walk on the springboard cantilever and dare to climb the spiral stairs to the top of a 47 metre lookout tower. A café offers meals and an entry fee applies.

Cape Otway Lightstation (30 min drive). Cyclists in the 140 km Rainforest Circuit and the 70km Lighthouse Discovery Ride visit here.

Set in the surrounding Otways National Park, Cape Otway Lighthouse sits on a spectacular tip of southern coastline. The oldest lighthouse on the mainland and standing 91 metres above the ocean, the tower is open to visitors. The grounds offer a fascinating look at our history, with the original Telegraph Station, Lightkeepers Cottage and WWII bunkers open. Take a guided tour and get an intriguing insight into local events, marriners and even ghosts! A café offers meals and an entry fee applies.

Great Otway National Park

Victoria’s newest National Park, the Great Otway National Park, encompasses sensational coastal landscapes, beautiful hinterlands, cascading waterfalls, majestic tall forests and ancient rainforest gullies. It runs between Aireys Inlet and Lavers Hill, covering 102,470 hectares. Dogs are not permitted in the Great Otway National Park (Johanna Beach is an exception).

Otways Rainforest & Waterfalls walks

• Triplet Falls (Beech Forest). 1 hour easy return loop. An extensive upgrade has resulted in a stunning walk through ancient rainforest and tall timber. View the lower cascades as you follow raised walkways meandering through the forest to the main falls. Three cascades thunder past the nearby viewing platform. The trail runs past an original sawmill site – view the remnant artefacts.
• Lake Elizabeth (Forrest). 1 ½ hour medium return loop. Formed by a natural landslide, Lake Elizabeth is home to the platypus and waterbirds. There are also picnic and camping areas. A 12km mountain bike loop linking West Barwon Reservoir and Lake Elizabeth is suitable for mountain bikers with moderate levels of fitness and experience.
• Melba Gully (Lavers Hill). 35 minute return walk, medium difficulty. A delightful walk amongst blackwood and myrtle beech. See the “big tree”.
• Marriners Falls (Apollo Bay). 1 hour easy/med return. Picturesque track winding along the Barham River. Stepping stone creek crossings – can be under water after heavy rain.
• Maits Rest. 30 minute easy loop. Popular rainforest boardwalk located on the Great Ocean Road just 15 minutes west of Apollo Bay.

12 Apostles

Pop into the 12 Apostles Visitor Information Centre - Port Campbell for local, regional and state wide information to help you make the most of your stay. The centre specialises in tailoring itineraries to suit the needs of individuals and industry.

For detailed information on "Things to see and do" visit 

www.visit12apostles.com.au

and/or contact

12 Apostles Visitor Information Centre - Port Campbell

1300 137 255

"So much more than just 12 reasons to stay."

Great Ocean Walk

The Great Ocean Walk is a one-way, long distance coastal bushwalking track. The 91km walk links Apollo Bay to the Glenample Historic Homestead, adjacent to the Twelve Apostles, passing through the Great Otway National Park and Port Campbell National Park. Short walks are possible – ask for details at the Visitor Information Centre.

Relaxation & Massage

Completely relax with all types of massage in Apollo Bay. This can often be arranged via your accommodation house upon request.

Apollo Bay Cable Station Museum

A look at local history. The Old Cable Station Museum is housed in the Cable Station built in 1936 as the mainland terminal to the first undersea telephone link to Tasmania. The Museum is operated by the Apollo Bay and District Historical Society Inc and open regularly on weekends.

Apollo Bay Music Festival

Renowned for its relaxed and festive atmosphere, the festival offers a unique celebration of music and community culture. Held annually on the April Anzac Day weekend, the music festival attracts big name performers across a broad range of music genres. Ph (03) 5237 6761. www.apollobaymusicfestival.com

Great Ocean Road Marathon – May (since 2007)

This weekend event includes several shorter runs in Apollo Bay on the Saturday, with the main marathon running 42.5km from Lorne to Apollo Bay on the Sunday. A half-marathon is also a highlight for many amateur runners.