Put Apollo Bay on your list of places to stay when touring the Great Ocean Road

If you're planning on taking a trip up on Victoria's Great Ocean Road, put Apollo Bay on your list of places to stay. Located in the foothills of the Otway Ranges just before the Great Ocean Road traverses Cape Otway, it makes an ideal setting to get out of the car and explore the beautiful scenery you have admired from a distance.

In Apollo Bay, you are surrounded by nature at its best. Spread out before you is the rugged Victorian coastline, but in Apollo Bay, the waves are gentler and the wide sandy beach gives you the opportunity get into the sea, not just look at it. Behind you is an endless expanse of verdant hills just waiting to be explored.

Take some time to stretch your legs and explore the quaint town of Apollo Bay. The major industry in this small town is fishing, followed by tourism. As such, it has just enough amenities to make you feel comfortable without feeling like you're in a tourist town. It has a relaxed, unhurried atmosphere that makes exploring the town's many fascinating gift shops and galleries a pleasure.

Once you have settled in and recovered from your drive to Apollo Bay, it’s time to get "up close and personal" with the landscape you have been admiring from a distance. One of the best ways to do this, if you’re up to it, is by tackling all or part of the Great Ocean Walk. Many visitors come to Apollo Bay for the expressed purpose of doing the entire 65 mile (100+ kilometer) walk all the way around Cape Otway to the Twelve Apostles. If you don't want to do the whole walk, at least take the time to spend a few hours on the trail before returning to Apollo Bay in the evening.

When you get back on the road to explore Cape Otway, don't miss the Light Station. The scenery along the way is breathtaking and words can’t describe the views from the lighthouse. If you are completely captivated by it, you can make arrangements to stay in the Lighthouse Keeper’s four bedroom cottage for a minimum of two nights on your next trip to Apollo Bay.

Try not to be so overwhelmed by Cape Otway you don’t explore the other scenic roads in the Apollo Bay area. The Barhamn River Road will take you through lush rainforests to Marriners Falls. Also nearby are some wonderful villages like Marengo and Skenes Creek for you to explore.

Too many travelers just stop in Apollo Bay for a meal and a quick stroll around the town before continuing on their journey. This is a big mistake, as you will discover when you take the time to find an Apollo Bay accommodation and settle in for a few days. Accommodations range from spectacular campsites and inexpensive backpacker resorts all the way up to luxurious self contained villas. Give Apollo Bay a try and you will find that it will be the highlight of your Great Ocean Road adventure.

Take a few days off, find Apollo Bay accommodation, things to do and other travel related information about the area on bookitnow.com.au. Or visit our Australia blog for more Australian holiday ideas.