About Apollo Bay
Apollo Bay is a popular tourist resort and is well serviced with a variety of accommodation establishments and types. There are hotels, motels and resorts. There are a considerable number of self catering and holiday type accommodation such as bed and breakfasts (also known as bnb and b&b), apartments, holiday houses, cottages, cabins, guesthouses as well as tourist or caravan parks, and three backpackers or hostels. Also check out the self contained accommodation and bed and breakfasts in the nearby hamlets of Wongarra, Petticoat Creek, Skenes Creek to the north east of Apollo Bay and Marengo to the south west of Apollo Bay.
Apollo Bay is located 186 km south west of Melbourne on the Great Ocean Road, 45 km west of Lorne. It is approx. 3 hours driving from Melbourne. Apollo Bay is a very typical seaside resort with lots of motels and holiday accommodation. Its primary appeal is that it is accessible from Melbourne and is one of the principal towns on the Road and surrounded by magnificent country.
The Apollo Bay area was first sighted by Lieutenant Grant aboard the Lady Nelson in 1845. Apollo Bay was named by Captain Loutit, who sheltered here in his vessel ‘Apollo’. A unique place of natural beauty, Apollo Bay is often referred to as ‘Paradise by the Sea’. The special charm of Apollo Bay is due to a certain remoteness down the Great Ocean Road from the commercial tourist destinations.
Apollo Bay nestles into the picturesque green foothills of the Otway Ranges that roll down to a sweeping arc of golden beaches and sky-blue sea. Dozens of cypress trees dot the wide foreshore reserve, while the fascinating Otway National Park is just a stone’s throw away.
Prior to the arrival of Europeans, the area around Apollo Bay was inhabited by Aborigines who lived largely on the produce of the sea. The first major European settlement occurred in 1850 when timber cutters moved into the Apollo Bay district. They cut timber and floated it out to ships moored off shore. This industry led inevitably to the establishment of a number of sawmills. At this time the settlement was variously known as Apollo Bay (after the schooner Apollo) and Middleton. Then in 1877 the name was officially changed to Kambruk. It wasn't until 1952 that it officially became Apollo Bay.
On 10 July 1932 Apollo Bay was the scene of a shipping disaster when the coastal steamer Casino, with a number of locals aboard, tried to berth at the town's jetty. It was hit by freak waves, listed and sank with the loss of 10 lives. This was witnessed by townsfolk gathered on the jetty to welcome the boat. The anchor from the Casino is located outside the Apollo Bay Post Office.
The road to the town was upgraded in 1927 and in 1932 the Great Ocean Road was completed. This ensured the town's future as a tourist and holiday destination. It is also an important fishing port with a large fleet scouring the southern ocean for crayfish, shark, whiting, flathead and snapper.
