Start from 24 curated places around Apollo Bay, AU, then choose the recommendations that fit your guests.
Restaurants & cafés
Chris's Beacon Point Restaurant & Villas
Open since 1979 on Skenes Creek Road above Apollo Bay, Chris's is a clifftop fine-dining institution with sweeping views across the Southern Ocean from every table. Founder Chris Talihmanidis ran it as a Great Ocean Road legend for 45 years before handing it to new owners in 2024; it now serves a contemporary seafood menu with Southern European and Middle Eastern influences, still built around freshly caught local fish.
Apollo Bay Fishermen's Co-Op
Apollo Bay's fishing cooperative lands Southern Rock Lobster, fresh flake, and seasonal catch straight from the Bass Strait fleet — the town's freshest seafood, sold as takeaway. Note: the Co-op's harbour building closed in October 2025 for the Apollo Bay Harbour redevelopment; through 2026 its fish and chips trade from Pascoe Street and a pop-up wet-fish outlet runs on the main street (Great Ocean Road) beside Little Crumb bakery. The harbour outlet is set to return in an upgraded building once the works finish.
Trails & outdoors
Great Ocean Walk: Apollo Bay to Marengo
The opening section of the 104km Great Ocean Walk starts in Apollo Bay and runs west through coastal heath and cliff-edge scrub — the first 10km to Marengo is accessible as a day walk out-and-back, giving a taste of the multi-day trail without logistics. Rated 4.6 stars on AllTrails with 267 reviews. Southern Ocean views improve the further you get from the road.
Marriner's Lookout Trail
A 2.5km return trail from the end of Marriner's Lookout Road to the lookout above Apollo Bay — steep in sections but short, and the 360-degree view at the top is the best elevated perspective accessible from the town itself. AllTrails lists 61 reviews on this section. A good 45-minute addition to any morning in Apollo Bay before the cafes get busy.
Things to do
Otway Fly Treetop Adventures
The longest and tallest steel treetop canopy walkway of its type in the world — a 600-metre elevated walkway running through Otway rainforest up to 25-30 metres above the forest floor, with a spiral tower reaching 47 metres at the far end. Located near Weeaproinah, 40 minutes from Apollo Bay. The optional guided zipline tour soars up to 30 metres above the canopy on the same site. Rated consistently well on AllTrails and TripAdvisor.
Wild koala spotting on Cape Otway Road
The 12km access road to Cape Otway Lighthouse passes through manna gum forest with one of the highest observable wild koala densities in Australia — estimated 20,000 in the broader Otways. No tour, no fee: drive slowly at 20–30km/h, watch for cars stopped ahead, and look 8–15 metres up into the tree forks. Late afternoon is most active. Near-guaranteed sighting if you take it slowly.
Landmarks & sights
Cape Otway Lightstation
Built in 1848 and still operational, Cape Otway is Australia's oldest surviving lighthouse on the mainland — sitting on a cliff 90 metres above Bass Strait. The precinct includes heritage keeper's cottages, a telegraph station, and ocean lookouts. Note: the lighthouse tower interior is closed for heritage restoration, with the wider precinct open at a discounted entry price. The 12km lighthouse road through manna gum forest has wild koala sightings almost guaranteed.
Mariners Lookout
A steep 10-minute walk from the end of Marriner's Lookout Road delivers 360-degree views of Apollo Bay, the Otway Ranges, and the Southern Ocean — the most complete aerial perspective of the town from the ground. Koalas have been spotted along the track. The property is private so follow all signage, close gates, and keep dogs on a lead.