Apollo Bay is a great location as a base for exploring the Great Ocean Road. It is located 197km from Melbourne CBD and you can get to Apollo Bay by car, plane, train or bus. It is a two and half hour drive, however, if you take the scenic route along the Great Ocean Road (which we recommend!) it takes an extra 30 minutes.
To take the scenic route, exit the Princes Freeway at the Torquay exit. Below is information on how to get from Apollo Bay to some of the more popular Great Ocean Road attractions & destinations.
Apollo Bay to the 12 Apostles is approximately a 1 hour and 15-minute drive via the Great Ocean Road (85.5km). For something a bit different, you can also get from Apollo Bay to the 12 Apostles via a scenic helicopter or aeroplane flight. You’ll fly over the Shipwreck Coast and Otway Rainforest on the way. And the ultimate way to get from Apollo Bay to the 12 Apostles…. Is to walk!
The Great Ocean Walk is a 110km 8-day challenge that traverses the beaches, clifftops, rainforests and hinterland of the Great Otways National Park & Port Campbell National park. This is a fantastic experience where you’ll create lifelong memories, get to spot some of the local wildlife residents and see nature at its best.
To get from Apollo Bay to Lorne, it is approximately 45 minutes to drive, taking the Great Ocean Road.
You’ll enjoy some of the Great Ocean Road’s most spectacular scenery along the way and there are plenty of viewing points for you to stop at. Some of the highlights include Teddy’s lookout, Cumberland River, clifftop views, stunning seascapes, Wye River, Cape Patton and at the right time of year you may even spot some whales.
To get from Apollo Bay to Otway Fly Treetop Adventures, you have two options — both take approximately 50 minutes. If you are travelling with a caravan or in a motorhome, take the Lavers Hill route as the Skene’s Creek route is not suitable for caravans or motorhomes:
Apollo Bay to Portland is approximately three and a half hours to drive via the Great Ocean Road. Along the way, you will get to see some of the Great Ocean Road’s highlights including the 12 Apostles. Enjoy expansive clifftop views, stunning seascapes and lush rainforest on this spectacularly scenic drive.
Contact the local experts at the Apollo Bay Visitor Information Centre if you would like to find out more about getting to Apollo Bay to the 12 Apostles, Apollo Bay to Lorne, Apollo Bay to Otway Fly or Apollo Bay to Portland.
Sign up to get the latest deals, tours & events along the Great Ocean Road
Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Great Ocean Road region the Wadawurrung, Eastern Maar & Gunditjmara. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging. We recognise and respect their unique cultural heritage and the connection to their traditional lands. We commit to building genuine and lasting partnerships that recognise, embrace and support the spirit of reconciliation, working towards self-determination, equity of outcomes and an equal voice for Australia’s first people.
