Apollo Bay is located about 200kms and three hours from Melbourne. The drive along the coast will hit you with spectacular views time and time again! Take your time and enjoy the scenery. Aireys Inlet is a great spot to stop if you want to see some sights on your way or enjoy some lunch.
We spent a glorious week in Apollo Bay over Easter and the beginning of the Victorian School holidays. We were blessed with weather warm enough for the beach for splashing about, sandcastle making and boogie boarding for the first few days. The weather turned stormy one day but we made the most of the wood-fire and ocean views from our accomodation. The last few days were cool, but perfect for walks on the beach and more sandcastle making.
We ate dinner at the Great Ocean Road Brewhouse twice during. It was convenient with the expected menu of pub food. The kids loved the calamari and I enjoyed the spicy nasi goreng. The beer garden over looking the Great Ocean Road was a nice spot to sit and watch the world go by. The Brewhouse is conveniently located opposite the playground for a pre or post dinner play.
We were super lucky that our accom was directly opposite Apollo Bay Beach and took about 30 seconds from front door to sand immersion. If you want an accommodation recommendation let me know. Where we stayed was the perfect spot for a family of four, with gorgeous ocean views from the front window. The sea can be rough, so be careful, watch for rips and for the safest swimming swim between the flags.
Marriners Lookout, above Apollo Bay, is definitely worth a look ;). It’s only a short drive and then about a ten-minute walk from the car park for spectacular views of the Ocean and Apollo Bay. Don’t be like many we saw and take your dog into this dog free zone!
Dinner at the Apollo Bay Fisherman’s Co-op was one of our favourite meals of the week. Our food was served minutes after ordering (I assume they have common things precooked) but was fresh and tasty. The view was gorgeous and we enjoyed an after dinner walk along the pier. 10/10 for a casual dinner with a view.
Dooleys Premium ice cream came recommended but to be honest was pretty standard - but we’re probably spoiled with our usual Piccolina.
Italian at Casalingo was a bit hit and miss. The restaurant was gorgeous and charming, but the staff were very disinterested in serving customers! Even though there were plenty of staff, they were standing chatting and folding napkins rather than taking our food and drinks orders. The food was so-so. I wouldn’t recommend the pizza, which came with a pita bread base, and wasn’t very tasty. The lasagna was fine as was the marinara. We didn’t order dessert as it would have taken forever. The slow and inattentive service meant we wouldn’t return.
If you want to cook for yourself you have the choice of Foodworks or IGA, both in the main shopping area.
For a bit of fresh air and exercise we highly recommend the Otway Fly Treetop Adventures. It was fun for the whole family, although little ones will get tired legs! From the visitor centre it is about a 1km walk to the beginning of the Treetop Walk. Be sure to detour through the Enchanted Forest. The little ones will delight in spotting all the little fairies and fairy friends. The treetop walk itself is spectacular! You are walking in the tree canopy, surrounded by giant eucalyptus, grey gum, blue gum, beech and many more. It is absolutely amazing! It is about a one hour drive from Apollo Bay. There are two ways to get there, we took the route via Tanybryn, some of the roads were quiet narrow, driver beware. Returning via Wyelangta was an easier drive. We were even enough to spot a koala walking across the road on our way back! It made our day!
Our favourite meal of the week was at Dar Teta in Forrest, which is about a forty-minute drive from Apollo Bay. It is a homely restaurant with accommodation attached and the most gorgeous little garden out the back. We dined inside because it was a cool evening, but sitting outside would be so nice on a warm summer evening. The food was Middle Eastern and the Chef owner is from Palestine (a great reason to support her!). The food was comfort food, clearly cooked with love. We ordered dips with bread (the Baba ghanoush was my fave), stuffed vine leaves, chicken kebabs, and falafel. The falafel was the standout dish! Miss Five proclaimed it was the best restaurant in the world - and even told the chef/owner so. Sadly it was our last night so we couldn’t go back. Highly recommend driving there, it was a gorgeous drive through the hills and well worth the effort. This night we were lucky enough to see an echidna crossing the road!
If you have a chance to travel to Apollo Bay go for it! There is plenty to see, do, eat and drink.