Day-trip ideas
Things to do near Apollo Bay
Cape Otway koala drive 35 min south, Otway Fly 45 min inland, Maits Rest just west, the Apostles 90 min further. Apollo Bay is the strongest day-trip base on the road.
Top things to do near Apollo Bay
Cape Otway Lightstation
Mainland Australia's oldest lighthouse + koala drive.
25 km · 35 minOtway Fly
Steel walkway above the rainforest canopy.
45 km · 45 minMaits Rest
30-min step-free rainforest boardwalk loop.
15 km · 15 minMariners Lookout
Aerial-style view of Apollo Bay.
5 km · 5 minTwelve Apostles
The signature Great Ocean Road stop.
95 km · 1h 30minLorne foreshore
Pretty beach town with pier and café strip.
45 km · 1h Frequently asked
Things to do near Apollo Bay FAQs
- What can you do near Apollo Bay?
- Cape Otway lighthouse and koala drive (35 min south), Otway Fly Treetop Walk (45 min inland), Maits Rest Rainforest Walk (15 min west), Triplet Falls and Hopetoun Falls (35-45 min inland), Mariners Lookout (5 min uphill), Twelve Apostles (1.5 hours west), Lorne (1 hour east). The road's strongest single base.
- How far is Cape Otway from Apollo Bay?
- About 35 minutes south via the Great Ocean Road then south on Lighthouse Road. The 12 km road through the manna gum forest is the famous koala drive — drive slowly, near-guaranteed wildlife. Combined with the lightstation visit, plan 4 hours total.
- Is the Otway Fly close to Apollo Bay?
- About 45 minutes inland from Apollo Bay via the Great Ocean Road inland turn-off. The 600m elevated steel walkway 25m above the rainforest canopy plus the 47m spiral lookout tower. Plan 90 minutes on-site plus driving — half-day commitment.
- Can you see the Twelve Apostles from Apollo Bay?
- No — the Apostles are 95 km west and require a separate trip. From Apollo Bay, plan a 90-minute drive each way for a half-day visit, or use Apollo Bay as a launching point and continue west to overnight at Port Campbell. The 3-day classic itinerary uses Apollo Bay night 1 + Port Campbell night 2.
- Are there walks near Apollo Bay?
- Many. Mariners Lookout (10 min uphill walk for aerial bay view). Marriners Falls (30-min return walk). Maits Rest 30-min boardwalk. Triplet Falls 1.5 km loop. Hopetoun Falls steep walk-down. Sections of the 110 km Great Ocean Walk eastern start. Apollo Bay is the trail-head town for the entire Otway region.
- Is Apollo Bay a good base for the Great Ocean Road?
- Yes — the strongest single base on the road. Geographic midpoint, best food scene, gateway to the Otway forest, walking distance from harbour and beach, full caravan park infrastructure for families. Most travellers stay 1-2 nights here. The 3-day classic uses Apollo Bay night 1; the 7-day deep dive uses Apollo Bay nights 2-4.
- Are there waterfalls near Apollo Bay?
- Yes. Marriners Falls (15 min, 30-min return walk). Triplet Falls (35 min, 1.5 km loop). Hopetoun Falls (35 min, steep walk-down to base). Beauchamp Falls (45 min, larger walk-in). Stevenson's Falls (45 min). The Otway hinterland behind Apollo Bay is the road's waterfall capital.