2021 WOTIF AUSSIE TOWN OF THE YEAR CELEBRATES APOLLO BAY

At a time when we’re all craving escapism and space, Apollo Bay and the Great Ocean Road holds all the answers.

This week we’re celebrating that Apollo Bay has been recognised as the State Winner and national third placing in the 2021 Wotif Aussie Town of the Year campaign. So we've decided to pause and be grateful for the things we cherish about beautiful Apollo Bay.

SIMPLE PLEASURES & CAPITAVTING YOUR TASTEBUDS

Apollo Bay most known for its off the boat ocean catch, superb Southern Rock Lobster and the annual Seafood Festival in February that rejoices the town's connection to the ocean….. but there are lots of options if you’re looking to taste your way through The Bay.

Apollo Bay Distillery

Already a locals favourite, the Apollo Bay Distillery (which opened at the start of 2020) serves up traditional Italian pizza with seasonally sourced local produce and exotic handcrafted gins with local botanicals as well as home craft beers and ciders – simply put ‘great food & quality booze’.

Masala Bay can’t be surpassed, refusing to compromise on anything but the best produce, they deliver excellent service and cuisine…… FYI everything coming out of the tandoori smoker is well worth a try!

It is hard to mention everyone and the rumour is that there are some exciting new businesses opening soon, but when you’re in The Bay, make sure you take in, take out and indulge on a scallop pie from the Apollo Bay Bakery, a meal or two at Casalingo and soak up the amazing views and food at the legendary Chris’s Restaurant.

WALKS, WATERFALLS & WONDERMENT

A trip to The Bay wouldn’t be complete without soaking up the big nature. 

The Great Otway National Park exemplifies breathtaking beauty and is home to some of Victoria’s prettiest places. Stretching from Torquay to the 12 Apostles and wrapped by the Southern Ocean the Otways is a place for discovery. 

The must-experience places:

• The Great Ocean Walk
• Hopetoun Falls, Beauchamp Falls & Stevenson Falls
• The Californian Redwood forest in the heart of the Otways
• And of course please take in the sheer size of (the aptly named) Mountain Ash trees – they are astounding!

Top-notch attractions:

Wildlife Wonders is a must-do and see experience. The experience takes visitors on a 75-minute guided walk through the magical Otways bushland, where you'll discover lush tree-fern gullies, eucalypt woodlands and spectacular ocean viewpoints. Your conservationist guide will share with you the secrets of the bush and the plants and animals who call the Otways home.

Otway Fly Tree Top Adventures has two key attractions, the zipline experience and the treetop walk. Depending on your level of commitment, both experiences are extremely enjoyable and take you high above and deep into all the levels of the cool temperate rain forest.

Trees Adventure Yeodene Park, based about 45 minutes from Apollo Bay, is great value, an awesome high ropes facility and a really fun way to spend two or three hours.

Cape Otway Lightstaion is Australia's oldest working lighthouse and worth the visit - you'll feel like you're at the end of the earth. A perfect vantage point for whale spotting between June and September too!

LUXURY, CASUAL OR CAMPING - THERE'S AN ACCOMMODATION OPTION FOR EVERYONE

Apollo Bay doesn’t really have resort-style accommodation which definitely suits its style. However, accommodation providers like Holiday Great Ocean Road have a range of luxury holiday houses on their books across the small coastal hamlets like Wye River, Kennett River, Apollo Bay and the Otways. If you’re after a quality motel room there’s also plenty on offer, plus the caravan parks like BIG4 Pisces Apollo Bay, Marengo Holiday Park and Apollo Bay Holiday Park have great facilities…..and like everywhere, stellar views!

CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE...OR SPACE

A trip to Apollo Bay can be action-packed, or, you could simply stop to take in the relaxed nature of the town and its friendly community.

There are so many beautiful beach strolls to be had and a short ride, or, drive will take you to secluded beaches where the only footprints are yours. Take a gentle walk out to the harbour to meet the resident geese and stingrays, or maybe your preferred pace entails a patch of grass on the foreshore with a good book, or fish and chips, in Apollo Bay, the choice is yours.

Wherever your Apollo Bay journey takes, you won’t want to leave once you’ve arrived.