Paradise by the Sea
Although the seaside township of Apollo Bay is a major tourist destination along Victoria's Great Ocean Road, it has retained all the appeal of an unspoilt seaside haven. The long stretching white beaches of Apollo Bay are breathtaking sight at any time of the year.
Here the days just roll into each other, relaxing days filled with swimming, fishing, bushwalking and exploring the magnificent surroundings.
Apollo Bay is located midway long the Great Ocean Road and offers the perfect base for exploring the Great Otway National Park, Surfcoast and the Shipwreck Coast. It is also the starting point of the breathtaking Great Ocean Walk, which is a 90km coastal walk stretching along the Otway coastline between Apollo Bay and Princetown.
Apollo Bay has preserved everything that is natural and wonderful about a beach holiday, but you also have access to some excellent restaurants, cafes and good shopping. This coastal town offers a post office, visitor information centre, newsagency, a Foodworks supermarket (Hardy St) and an IGA supermarket (on Great Ocean Road), clothing and gift shops, real estate agents, surf fishing shops, hardware store and Bendigo bank.
On Saturday mornings (weather permitting) the foreshore hosts a wonderful and vibrant Seaside Market which attracts people from all around the area every to sell their homemade wares and homegrown produce.
On the 3rd Sunday of every month there is a Farmers Market in Moore St at the Youth Club Hall.
Eating Out
Apollo Bay, the Otway Ranges and Great Ocean Road region offer a variety of cafes, restaurants and take away shops.
The list below as for you to use as a guide only, some details may not be current or up to date.
Apollo Bay
Apollo Bay Bakery
125 Great Ocean Rd, APOLLO BAY Ph: (03) 5237 6440
Home of the famous Scallop Pie
Cooking in-house and selling a selection of gourmet pies, pasties, sausage rolls as well as a large range of absolutely delicious cakes, pastries
and fresh bread all baked fresh daily on the premises. They have a great range of Gluten Free and Vegan foods.
Apollo Bay Hotel
95-101 Great Ocean Rd, APOLLO BAY Ph: (03) 5237 6250
Modern Australian Bistro Style: broad menu with seasonal changes & daily specials, extensive wine list, wide range of cakes
& deserts with a outdoor dining area, great atmosphere & ocean views.
www.ApolloBayHotel.com.au
Great Ocean Brewhouse
Great Ocean Road, APOLLO BAY
Modern Australian Bistro Style: broad menu with seasonal changes & daily specials, extensive wine and beer list, with outdoor dining
area and great atmosphere. Pet friendly outdoor dining area and serving “Dog Beer”.
They also have “Tastes of the Region” located behind the Brewhouse.
View Website Here
Apollo Bay Distillery
Where the town’s spirit comes alive.
The gins at Apollo Bay Distillery are linked with the old folklores, its location is one of the oldest buildings in town and the SS Casino anchor on-site makes the distillery a true miniature of Apollo Bay’s culture, heritage and nature.
Combine that with its offering of handcrafted exotic gins, using local botanicals, Italian style wood-fired pizzas, and focus on the town’s spirit and local collaborations, and you’ve got an all-inclusive and holistic experience of the town and its local produce.
With an on-site distillery and an on-site coffee roaster, in collaboration with local brand Hello Coffee, and a selection of local craft beer, local wine and delicious gin cicktails, Apollo Bay Distillery has got something to sip for everyone. They’re putting the best gin on the town’s menu to provide authentic and real local tastes to their customers.
Enjoy gin tastings and gin masterclasses with experienced and knowledgeable staff, who can tell you everything about the gin making process, the different types of botanicals, the history of the town and the stories of the SS Casino anchor located on-site.
Get the real feel of this beautiful town and its authentic local experiences.
23-27 Great Ocean Road, Apollo Bay Tel: 03 52377165
View website and Menu here
Casalingo Restaurant
Moore St, Apollo Bay Ph: (03) 5237 7613
View Website and Menu here
Dragon Bay Inn Chinese Restaurant
Hardy St, Apollo Bay Ph: (03) 5237 6400
View Menu here
LittleCrumb Bakery
Great Ocean Road, Apollo Bay Ph: 0475 511 082
Amazing levels of deliciousness, made right here in Apollo Bay.
The Birdhouse Restaurant
125 Great Ocean Road, Apollo Bay - Above the Apollo Bay Bakery. Ph: (03) 5237 7411
Local Seafood, Modern Australian.
Open Tuesday-Sunday for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Bookings essential.
View Website here
Sandy Feet Cafe
139 Great Ocean Road, APOLLO BAY. Ph: 03 5237 6995
Cafe, Coffee Shop, Health Foods, Seeds, Legumes, Breads.
View Website here
Chris’ Beacon Point Restaurant
Skenes Creek Rd, SKENES CREEK Ph: 5237 6411
Fine Dining: spectacular ocean views from a unique bushland setting. Chris’s renowned Mediterranean cuisine with an extensive wine list. Open b/fast daily 8:30am. Lunch & dinner daily
Chopstix Asian Noodle Bar
151 Great Ocean Road, Apollo Bay 3233 Ph: 03 9037 9912
View Takeaway Menu here
Dooleys Premium Ice Cream
89 Great Ocean Rd, APOLLO BAY Ph: (03) 5237 6430
Awarded as some of the best ice cream in Australia!!
Take Away Ice-Cream: Stop in for a home made ice cream or gelati. Take away tubs available. Open daily.
Masala Bay Indian Restaurant
2A/155 Great Ocean Rd, Apollo Bay VIC 3233 Ph: (03) 5237 7188
View Website Here
The Otways and Surrounds
Forrest Brewery and Cafe
Forrest Brewing Company equal parts microbrewery, eating place and mountain biking hang-out located in the Otways Hinterland township of Forrest. Brother and sister duo Matt and Sharon Bradshaw resurrected and rebuilt the former general store in Forrest, opening its doors in late 2010. The Forrest Brewing Company embodies all of the things to love about life, great beer, informal eating, good people, mountain biking and some occassional fishing all surrounded by an active community and beautiful environment.
The Forrest Brewing Company, providing a place to stop, take a break, rest and relax in unique natural surrounds.
View Website Here
Platypi Chocolate Cafe
Platypi Chocolate is the latest great reason to visit Forrest in Victoria's Otway region. Their range is playful, locally connected, with a touch of luxury and decadence.
Try a hot chocolate, a fabulous coffee, tasty lunch or jump straight to the delicious desserts and chocolates, all hand made on site.
Sit amongst the trees and birdlife and spoil yourself a little! Open 10am to 5pm, 7 days
Ph 0433 362639 - 73 Grant St, Forrest VIC 3236
View Website Here
Wye Beach Hotel - Great Ocean Road - Wye River
19 – 21 Great Ocean Rd, WYE RIVER Ph: (03) 5289 0240
Bistro Style: Enjoy the famous country hotel hospitality of this famous pub with the best views on the coast.
Open daily from 12pm – 11pm
Cape Otway Lightstation Cafe - Cape Otway
Cape Otway Lighthouse Rd, CAPE OTWAY Ph: 5237 9240
Café: Serving lunch, cakes and coffee with a view of the lighthouse & Southern Ocean. An entrance fee applies when visiting the lighthouse, this includes access to the café which is located within the lighthouse precinct.
Open Daily
View Website Here
The Otway Fly Treetop Walk Café & Restaurant - Beech Forest, Otway Ranges
Phillips Track, BEECH FOREST Ph: (03) 5235 9200
Café Style: Healthy meals, local produce, freshly brewed coffee and friendly staff.
Open Daily