Our Favourite things to do around Apollo Bay
From beautiful walks to great places to eat and drink, here’s our lowdown on what to do in Apollo Bay.
Short Walks around Apollo Bay
We’ve chosen short walks we love to do around Apollo Bay and the Otways. From gentle beach walks with rejuvenating views to rainforest and waterfall adventures – these routes are perfect for exploring the area before relaxing in your spa with a glass of bubbly.
Walk into town from Chocolate Gannets
Enjoy a refreshing 40 minute beach walk into town from your villa. As Wild Dog Creek is constantly in motion depending on the season and rainfall, you might need to cross it right across our driveway or further east. To avoid the creek altogether, access the beach after crossing Wild Dog Creek bridge.
Marriner’s Lookout
Go on a gentle 15 minute walk up to the viewing area of Marriner’s Lookout and be treated to sweeping views of Apollo Bay. Five-minute drive from Chocolate Gannets.
Carisbrook Falls
A beautiful trail into the valley takes you to a viewing platform of Carisbrook Falls. The walk is a gentle uphill slope, about 15 minutes each way. This walk is best in the morning when the sun shines on the falls – magic! A 15-minute drive from Chocolate Gannets towards Lorne.
Maits Rest
A fun little walk in the rainforest with information boards. The loop will take you about 30 minutes with gentle slopes up and down. A 20-minute drive from Chocolate Gannets towards Port Campbell.
Wildlife Wonders
Take a 75-minute guided walk in bushland learning about the flora and fauna that call the Otways home. All the profits from Wildlife Wonders go directly to the Conservation Ecology Centre, working to conserve the unique Australian plants and animals across the Otways. A 10-minute drive from Chocolate Gannets. Book your guided tour at wildlifewonders.org.au
Daytrips around Apollo Bay
The 12 Apostles
The most famous landmark on the Great Ocean Road, and an Australian Icon worldwide, the 12 Apostles rock stacks rising from the Southern Ocean are a great daytrip when based in Apollo Bay. The drive to the 12 Apostles will take you through rainforest, then farmland and finally back to coast with the steep limestone cliffs. You’ll find many viewpoints along the coast, including Gibson Steps (where you can go down to the beach for a close up look of the cliffs), Loch and Gorge. At the 12 Apostles stop, you’ll find a big parking lot and directions on tracks to follow.
A variety of lunch options are available at Port Campbell (5 min drive after the 12 Apostles). You can then continue the Great Ocean Road until Bay of Islands (highly recommended) before driving back.
The 12 Apostles are a 90 minute drive from Chocolate Gannets.
The Californian Redwoods
A magical corner in the middle of the Otways Rainforest where you are surrounded by towering Californian Redwoods. The majestic trees were planted as an experiment for softwood plantation in the 1930s. They were never felled and are now a gem in the forest. There’s no track or trail. Just wander around for five minutes or five hours, enjoying the silence broken only by the sound of the creek flowing nearby.
We suggest taking Skenes Creek Road towards Forrest and turn left on Turton’s Track – a magnificent drive in the rainforest. A 50-minute drive from Chocolate Gannets.
Waterfalls in the Great Otway National Park
The Great Otway National Park boasts plenty of waterfalls, that although fullest in winter, offer great views all year round. Hopetoun, Triplet and Beauchamp Falls are quite close together in Beech Forest. Hopetoun Falls can be seen from a platform only 20 meters from the carpark, or you can descend 200 stairs (can be slippery) to see them at the base. The Triplet Falls have a loop track that goes through an old timber mill. The loop is almost 2km with some steep sections, and also can be quite slippery. The Beauchamps Falls are the most difficult to access, with a 3km return track through beautiful, but steep rainforest.
Please wear appropriate shoes (closed and with grip) as the tracks can be muddy and slippery.
These are about a 1 hour drive from Chocolate Gannets.
Places to Eat in Apollo Bay
From humble bakeries and fantastic pubs to amazing local seafood and fine dining experiences. You’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to eating out during your holiday at Chocolate Gannets. Here’s a selection of our favourite places to eat and drink around Apollo Bay.
Little Crumb Bakery
57 Great Ocean Road, Apollo Bay
Chris’s Restaurant
280 Skenes Creek Road, Apollo Bay
Apollo Bay Bakery
125 Great Ocean Road, Apollo Bay
Birdhouse
Level 2, 125 Great Ocean Road, Apollo Bay
The Distillery
23 Great Ocean Road, Apollo Bay
Fisherman’s Co-op at the Harbour
2 Breakwater Road, Apollo Bay
Brewhouse
29 Great Ocean Road, Apollo Bay
