Apollo Bay is one of the Great Ocean Road’s most popular towns yet still feels like a proper fishing village — chilled out, authentic and local.
It’s not as busy or polished as Lorne, which is exactly why families love it. In summer it fills up and international day-trippers will stop off enroute to the Twelve Apostles, but stay overnight in autumn, winter or spring and you’ll find empty beaches, affordable accommodation, great food and a town that moves at a relaxed pace.
Here’s everything you need to know about visiting Apollo Bay with kids.
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When to Visit Apollo Bay with Kids
Summer is peak season and the main beach gets very busy. If you can visit in autumn, winter or spring you’ll get a completely different — and frankly better — experience.
The Otways are at their most lush and green in the cooler months, the waterfalls run full in winter and whale season is from May to October.
Think of a bowl of seafood chowder and a Prickly Moses by the fire, after a day exploring the Otways or the beach.
Things to Do in Apollo Bay with Kids
- The Beach and Foreshore
Apollo Bay’s main beach is a wide, beautiful stretch of sand with the Otway Ranges as a backdrop. It’s patrolled by the Apollo Bay Surf Life Saving Club during summer and busy weekends, making it one of the safer beaches on the Great Ocean Road for families.
The southern end near the harbour wall is the most sheltered section and the pick for families with young kids. As you head north the swell builds, so stick to the flags and the patrolled area. Foam boards and bodyboards can be hired from Apollo Bay Surf and Kayak if the kids want to have a go.
The foreshore reserve has a good playground and picnic facilities — a solid spot for lunch before an afternoon on the beach.
- Apollo Bay Harbour
The harbour is one of the nicest spots in town to just wander with kids. Apollo Bay is one of the last working fishing harbours on the Great Ocean Road, and on a good morning you can watch the boats coming in with their catch.
The harbour precinct is undergoing a major redevelopment as part of the Geelong City Deal — due for completion by end of 2026 — which will significantly improve the visitor facilities here when it’s done.
- Marriners Lookout
A short 10-minute walk from the car park rewards you with sweeping panoramic views of Apollo Bay, the harbour, the coastline and the Otway Ranges. On a clear day it’s spectacular. It’s also one of the launch points for hang gliders — if you time it right, watching them take off is unforgettable for kids.
Free, and easy with kids of all ages.
Just 7 minutes from Apollo Bay along the Great Ocean Road, Wildlife Wonders is a 30-acre protected sanctuary where koalas, kangaroos, emus, wallabies, potoroos and more roam freely. You explore on a guided tour with a conservation scientist — no enclosures, no scripted encounters, just real Australian wildlife in the wild.
The 75-minute Walk with Wildlife Tour runs multiple times daily and suits all ages. The Dusk Discovery Tour (Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evenings) is the best for wildlife spotting. Every visit supports conservation research in the Otways.
Read our Wildlife Wonders review.
Wildlife Wonders, 475 Great Ocean Road, Apollo Bay VIC 3233. +61 3 7046 1664. Open daily 9:30am–3:30pm.
- Maits Rest Rainforest Walk
About 20 minutes from Apollo Bay into the Great Otway National Park, Maits Rest is one of the easiest and most magical rainforest walks in the Otways. An 800-metre boardwalk winds through centuries-old myrtle beech trees and giant tree ferns. It takes about 30 minutes return and is easy for little legs.
Maits Rest, Great Ocean Road, Aire River East VIC 3237. Free entry. Parks Victoria managed.
About 45 minutes from Apollo Bay into the Great Otway National Park, Stevensons Falls is one of the most spectacular and accessible waterfalls in the Otways. The falls drop around 30 metres into a lush fern gully and the walk passes through a beautiful stand of towering redwoods.
This easy walk is suitable for everyone and is wheelchair accessible and pram friendly. Allow about an hour return for the walk. There’s a picnic area and public toilets which makes it a good spot for lunch before or after.
The Otways has dozens of waterfalls within reach of Apollo Bay — Triplet Falls, Beauchamp Falls and Hopetoun Falls are all worth exploring if you have more time. Pop into the Great Ocean Road Visitor Information Centre on the main street in Apollo Bay for current track conditions and recommendations before you head out.
Stevensons Falls, Stevensons Falls Walk, Barramunga, Victoria, 3249 Free entry.
About 45 minutes from Apollo Bay down the spectacular Lighthouse Road, Cape Otway Lightstation is the oldest surviving lighthouse on mainland Australia. Built in 1848, it sits 90 metres above Bass Strait on the edge of the shipwreck coast.
The heritage precinct includes a telegraph station, a WWII radar bunker and a whale interpretation centre. Allow 3 hours for a full visit and save room for the famous scones at the Lightkeeper’s Café.
Important note: The lighthouse tower is currently closed for restoration works — check the website for the latest.
Read our Cape Otway Lightstation review.
Cape Otway Lightstation, Lighthouse Road, Cape Otway VIC 3233. +61 3 5237 9240. Open daily 9:30am–5pm (last entry 4:30pm).
About 40 minutes from Apollo Bay into the Otway Ranges, Otway Fly is a 600-metre elevated walkway through the rainforest canopy plus an optional zipline tour for the brave.
The treetop walk suits all ages (prams welcome) and takes about an hour. The 47-metre Spiral Tower is a favourite for older kids and teens.
Read our Otway Fly review.
Otway Fly Treetop Adventures, 360 Phillips Track, Weeaproinah VIC 3237. +61 3 5235 9200. Open daily 9am–5pm (last entry 3:30pm).
Where to Eat in Apollo Bay with Kids
Start the day here. The Apollo Bay Bakery is a Great Ocean Road institution and its scallop pies are one of those things you absolutely have to try on a Great Ocean Road trip.
Perfect for breakfast, a morning snack, or grabbing something to take to the beach.
Apollo Bay Bakery, 125 Great Ocean Road, Apollo Bay VIC 3233.
Fresh fish and chips straight from the boats that caught them. The Co-op has been operating at Apollo Bay harbour since 1948 and is one of the best-known seafood spots on the Great Ocean Road. The Southern Rock Lobster is what they’re famous for — if the kids are adventurous eaters, split a cray between you.
Note: the harbour restaurant closed in October 2025 for the precinct redevelopment. Fish and chips are now available from a temporary location on Pascoe Street, open Tuesday–Sunday from 11am.
Apollo Bay Fisherman’s Co-op, 18 Pascoe Street, Apollo Bay VIC 3233. Open Tuesday–Sunday 11am–7pm.
Award-winning ice cream in an ever-changing range of flavours — after a beach session or a long morning in the Otways, nothing lands quite like a Dooley’s ice cream. Try the honey malt!
Dooley’s Ice Creamery, 157 Great Ocean Road, Apollo Bay VIC 3233.
A great pick for a relaxed family dinner with a beer garden overlooking the foreshore, craft beers and ciders on tap including their own Prickly Moses range, pub classics on the menu and a family-friendly atmosphere.
Weekday happy hour runs 4:30–6pm. Live music on weekends. Dog-friendly beer garden if you’ve brought the family dog along.
Great Ocean Road Brewhouse, 29-35 Great Ocean Road, Apollo Bay VIC 3233. +61 3 5237 6240. Open daily from 11am.
A reliable option for lunch or dinner right on the main street with ocean views. Relaxed atmosphere, good pub food and a kids’ menu. Try the prawn tacos!
Apollo Bay Hotel, 95 Great Ocean Road, Apollo Bay VIC 3233. +61 3 5237 6250.
Better suited to families with older kids and teens. The Apollo Bay Distillery is housed in the former post office — one of the oldest buildings in town. Wood-fired pizzas are the food highlight and pair well with the gin flights for adults.
Apollo Bay Distillery, 23-27 Great Ocean Road, Apollo Bay VIC 3233.
About 40 minutes from Apollo Bay into the Otway Ranges, The Perch is absolutely worth the drive to the tiny town of Lavers Hill (the highest point of the Great Ocean Road).
Panoramic two-storey windows look out over the Otway Ranges, the menu uses local produce and seafood, and there’s even a rainforest walk and glow worms to explore.
We visited with teenagers and it worked well — the setting is spectacular and the food is some of the best we try in the Great Ocean Road region. It’s best for families with older kids who’ll appreciate a proper sit-down lunch in the middle of the rainforest.
The Perch, 1-15 Great Ocean Road, Lavers Hill VIC 3233. +61 3 5237 3110.
Where to Stay in Apollo Bay with Kids
Family Tides
Family Tides is a family-friendly townhouse in a prime Apollo Bay location — a one-minute drive or five-minute walk to the town centre. It sleeps up to 10 guests across four bedrooms (including bunk beds, queen rooms and a king master with ensuite and spa bath), with an open plan living, dining and kitchen area, BBQ, and a table tennis table in the garage.
It’s the kind of place that works really well for families — space to spread out, room for kids to be kids, and close enough to town to walk to dinner. We would happily return!
Family Tides, 2/62 Noel Street, Apollo Bay VIC 3233.
Tips for Visiting Apollo Bay with Kids
Visit in the off-season. Autumn, winter and spring give you the best of Apollo Bay without the summer crowds.
Use Apollo Bay as a base. It sits right in the middle of the Great Ocean Road, making it the perfect base for day trips in both directions — east towards Lorne and Anglesea, west towards the Twelve Apostles and Port Campbell. Everything you need for a week is within 90 minutes.
Stock up before heading into the Otways. Towns like Lavers Hill and Beech Forest have cafés and a general store, but options get smaller and close earlier the further inland you go. Grab a proper supermarket shop, snacks and sunscreen in Apollo Bay before you head out for the day.
Whale season is May to October. Apollo Bay is one of the better spots on the Great Ocean Road for whale watching — they come close to shore during migration. The Whale Interpretation Centre at Cape Otway Lightstation is worth a visit during this period.
Swim at the southern end of the main beach near the harbour. Apollo Bay beach is patrolled by the Apollo Bay Surf Life Saving Club during summer and busy weekends — it’s one of the safer beaches on the Great Ocean Road. The sheltered southern end near the harbour wall is the pick for families with young kids. As you move north the swell increases, so stick to the flags and the patrolled area.
Getting to Apollo Bay
Apollo Bay is about 3 hours from Melbourne along the Great Ocean Road — longer if you stop along the way (which you should). The faster inland route via the Princes Highway through Colac takes about 2.5 hours.
Most families drive. There’s no direct public transport from Melbourne.
FAQs: Apollo Bay with Kids
Is Apollo Bay good for families with young children?
Yes — it’s one of the most family-friendly towns on the Great Ocean Road. There’s a good beach, a playground on the foreshore, easy walks, great food and plenty of day trip options into the Otways. It suits all ages from toddlers to teens.
What is the best time of year to visit Apollo Bay with kids?
Autumn, winter and spring are our picks. Less crowded, more affordable, and the Otways are at their most spectacular in the cooler months. Summer is great for beach days but gets very busy.
How far is Apollo Bay from Melbourne?
About 3 hours by car along the Great Ocean Road, or around 2.5 hours via the inland Princes Highway route through Colac.
Is Apollo Bay better than Lorne for families?
It depends what you’re after. Lorne is more developed with more restaurants and a bigger beach scene. Apollo Bay is quieter, more local in character, and a better base for exploring the Otways. We think Apollo Bay is the better choice for families who want a relaxed, unhurried trip.
Can you swim at Apollo Bay?
Yes — Apollo Bay beach is patrolled by the Apollo Bay Surf Life Saving Club during summer and busy weekends. The southern end near the harbour wall is the most sheltered and family-friendly section. Conditions get rougher further north, so swim between the flags and stick to the patrolled area with young kids.
What are the best day trips from Apollo Bay?
Cape Otway Lightstation, Otway Fly Treetop Adventures, Maits Rest Rainforest Walk and Wildlife Wonders are all within 45 minutes. The Twelve Apostles and Port Campbell are about 90 minutes west along the Great Ocean Road.
Is there good food in Apollo Bay?
Yes — for a small town it punches well above its weight. The Fisherman’s Co-op for fresh seafood, the Apollo Bay Bakery for scallop pies, Dooley’s for ice cream, the Great Ocean Road Brewhouse for pub dinner and the Apollo Bay Distillery for pizza and gin. You won’t go hungry!
This article was produced in partnership with Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism. All opinions are our own.
Cape Otway Lighthouse review
Wildlife Wonders Apollo Bay review
Otway Fly review
