The Great Ocean Road in Victoria is unquestionably a drive worth taking and many enjoy a day trip from Melbourne to see the spectacular formations along the coast. But to truly experience this part of Victoria it's well worth renting a house with Search and Stay and staying a while to explore.
One of the most appealing towns on the Great Ocean Road is Apollo Bay.
This picturesque town also offers a harbour, fresh seafood, excellent beaches, great restaurants, markets and galleries. The area is famed for its local wildlife, too, with a popular colony of seals that call it home. If you want to get stuck into the action like a local, you can go deep-sea fishing with local fishermen and for the super keen walkers, it's where the Great Ocean Walk starts.
The Great Ocean Walk is a one-way, long-distance walk extending just over 110km. This once-in-a-lifetime hike will take you eight days. If you don’t want to tackle the whole hundred k’s there are snippets and day tours you can enjoy when staying at your Apollo Bay holiday house. 
In Apollo Bay, you can spend your time in whatever fashion you please with an endless variety of adventures built to showcase the capturing beauty of Apollo Bay and the Great Otway National Park. Bike, hike, ride, kayak, board, drive or fly through the region’s best. Then return to base to soak in some of the region’s food, drink and luxuries, spa, yoga, art galleries and bookshops.
Things to do in Apollo Bay
Discover Australia’s natural beauty at Wildlife Wonders. You will encounter unique wildlife living freely in a stunning bushland environment overlooking the ocean. Learn about the ecology of the spectacular Otway Ranges and research projects saving the Great Ocean Road’s threatened species. 100% of profits generated go to support conservation efforts to protect Australia’s threatened species.
Marengo Reefs Marine Sanctuary protects a reef system known as Little Henty Reef. Two sections of the reef, the inner and outer reef, are usually exposed and separated by a narrow channel known as ‘The Gap’. Composed of sandstone they support wonderful intertidal and subtidal reefs which are packed with sea life. Visitors may come across many invertebrates including sea snails, tubeworms and abalone. In slightly deeper waters there are beautiful seaweed gardens including towering Bull Kelp forests and beds of delicate green and red species. Between the two small islands, calmer waters support colourful soft corals, sponge gardens and sea urchins. The diverse range of habitats provides resources for a huge range of species.
Otway Herbs garden and nursery are set in the hills of the Otway Ranges just 12 kilometres from Apollo Bay. Growing a wide variety of tasty culinary herbs from Asia, Europe and the Mediterranean as well as medicinal herbs, insect repellents and fragrant plants. Otway Herbs also create massage oils, balms and other herbal products. Discover something different in the ornamental garden of rare and unusual plants collected from around the world.
For two-wheel enthusiasts who want to take on one of the most exceptional drives, 73MOTO provides machines that will exhilarate, immerse and await the open road. Get on board 70's styled motorcycles. Reliable and elegant bikes with a hint of adventures from a bygone era, get a taste of these healthy machines and saddle up.
Places to Eat and Drink in Apollo Bay
Apollo Bay is perfect for foodies who love a good meal, trying something new and taking a swag of locally made product home to your Apollo Bay holiday rental to cook up a feast.
Apollo Bay is one of the few places in Victoria where you can buy fresh seafood caught straight from the local ocean waters. Catch your own from the land or try some inshore fishing for a chance to land anything from shark or snapper to flathead or squid! If deep-sea adventure fishing is more your thing, tours will take you out for shark or tuna fishing. Buy fish directly off the fishing boat from Adventura in the Apollo Bay Harbour each Saturday morning. Sustainable seafood, caught in the waters of Bass Strait and favoured by chefs at some of the Great Ocean Road region's finest restaurants. 
If you’re a “seafoodophile” make sure you stay during the annual seafood festival in February.
Tastes of the Region has a great selection of local produce from the Otways and Great Ocean Road regions. You will find locally made cheese, premium meat products, herbs, spices, chocolates, jams, chutneys and oils, local honey, and you can browse the range of more than 100 local, Australian and International craft beers. There’s also a fully-stocked bottle shop.
The Apollo Bay Market is held most Saturday mornings. As well as quality craft, art, jewellery and other creations, you’ll find more local produce – from farm fresh vegetables and fruit from the area to homemade cider and preserves. On the 3rd Sunday of the month the farmer's market offers fabulous wine, freshly picked fruit and veg, Otways prime meats, honey and lots more are available from the producers.
But if you want to relax and don’t want to cook at your Apollo Bay holiday accommodation booked through Search and Stay and leave it to the experts here are a bakers dozen of fantastic, local eateries in Apollo Bay.
Lightkeeper's Cafe Cape Otway Lightstation
Visit Search and Stay to find your holiday property at Apollo Bay and holiday rental accommodation on the Great Ocean Road.
For more information visit Apollo Bay.
