Apollo Bay sits on the Great Ocean Road where the Otway Ranges rainforest meets the Southern Ocean, in Victoria's Colac Otway Shire. It's a working fishing town first and a holiday base second, with a boat harbour full of local trawlers, a long swimming and surf beach, and rainforest walking tracks starting just outside town. Most travellers stop here on the way to the Twelve Apostles, about 85km and a 1 hour 15 minute drive further along the coast, but Apollo Bay has enough on its own doorstep to justify a night or two. Book your Apollo Bay accommodation with Traveloka and pick a base that suits your trip: right on the beach, in the middle of town near the harbour, or a short drive out toward the rainforest.

Where to stay when you book a hotel in Apollo Bay

Each part of Apollo Bay has its own character, so it's worth thinking about what your trip needs before you book.

• Apollo Bay Foreshore: Right on the beach, a short walk to the cafes, shops and the monthly foreshore market.
• Town Centre: Close to the harbour, the local shops and the start of the Great Ocean Walk, and within walking distance of most restaurants.
• Outskirts of Apollo Bay: A little further from the main street, with quieter surroundings and views over the hills or coastline.
• Nearby coastal towns: Marengo and Skenes Creek sit either side of Apollo Bay and both make a good, quieter alternative base.

What is Apollo Bay known for?

Apollo Bay is the starting point of the Great Ocean Walk, a 104-kilometre coastal track that runs all the way to the Twelve Apostles and normally takes six to eight days to walk in full. Most visitors just do a short section near town instead. West of town, Great Otway National Park has some of the best rainforest walking on the whole Great Ocean Road: Maits Rest is an easy 800-metre boardwalk through centuries-old myrtle beech and tree ferns about 15 minutes' drive away, and Melba Gully is known for its glow worms after dark. Cape Otway Lighthouse, mainland Australia's oldest surviving lighthouse, and the Otway Fly treetop walk are both around 45 minutes' drive from town. Closer in, the coastal track toward Marengo passes through manna gum forest where wild koalas are regularly spotted. The harbour still runs a working fishing fleet, so fresh local seafood is easy to find at the town's restaurants, and on the first Saturday of the month the foreshore hosts a market of local produce, crafts and art.

Top-rated hotels in Apollo Bay

A few names worth knowing before you book:

• Chocolate Gannets: Four self-contained beachfront villas with spa baths, a private koala track through the gum trees out back, and no light pollution at night for stargazing.
• Captains At The Bay: A waterfront stay a short walk from the harbour, with balcony rooms looking out over the bay.
• Seafarers Getaway: Hillside apartments a few steps from the beach, with ocean views, a garden and a barbecue area.
• YHA Apollo Bay Eco: An architect-designed eco-hostel with passive solar heating, a rooftop deck and an on-site herb garden, from AU$47 a night.

How much is accommodation in Apollo Bay?

Apollo Bay offers a range of accommodation to suit most budgets and travel styles, from budget-friendly hostels and motels to self-catering apartments and luxury villas. Prices shift with the season, so it's worth booking ahead, especially over summer and long weekends.

• Motels and budget hotels: around AU$100-AU$200 per night for a comfortable room.
• Mid-range hotels: AU$200-AU$350 per night, with more space and amenities.
• Self-catering apartments and holiday homes: AU$250-AU$500+ per night, depending on size and location, and a good option for families or groups.
• Luxury hotels and villas: from AU$400+ per night for premium rooms and ocean views.

Common amenities you'll find at accommodation in Apollo Bay

Given the coastal location and the amount of driving most visitors do along the Great Ocean Road, a few amenities make a real difference to your stay.

• Free Wi-Fi: Handy for planning the next leg of the Great Ocean Road.
• Free parking: Essential if you're driving the coast, so you've got somewhere secure to leave the car.
• Breakfast included: Saves time before an early start on the Great Ocean Walk or a day trip into the Otways.
• Kitchenette or full kitchen: Useful if you want to cook with the local seafood from the harbour.
• Ocean views: A genuine drawcard here, given how close most accommodation sits to the water.

Ready to head to Apollo Bay?

Whatever your budget, there's an Apollo Bay stay to match, from an eco-hostel bunk to a beachfront villa with its own koala track. Start planning your trip and book cheap hotels in Apollo Bay with Traveloka. You can also find cheap flights to Apollo Bay to make your travel even easier.