Apollo Bay

ApolloBay.net

Apollo Bay is located on the Barham River which is midway along the spectacular Great Ocean Road on the eastern side of Cape Otway in Victoria, Australia.

Apollo Bay is nowadays a tourist destination. The town is quieter and smaller than other places nearby, for example Lorne.

The southern right whale appears in the area starting in winter and finishing in spring. They come primarily to breed by calving in these months. The mothers then raise their calves further along the coast in South Australia where the waters are calmer and warmer as part of their migratory season. On odd occasions Humpback whales can also be seen off the coast.

The Apollo Bay Community Market has been held every Saturday since 1978 on the Apollo Bay foreshore. The market features superb local produce, food, artworks, and crafts. The community market provides the opportunity to buy directly from Apollo Bay producers, farmers, artists and makers. Everything at the market is grown or made within 40km of the Bay. The market features farm fresh and organic fruit, vegetables, berries, seedlings, flowers, free range eggs, grass fed meat, truffles, honey, home made preserves, ciders, locally roasted coffee and freshly baked treats. Arts and crafts include unique hand crafted ceramics, jewellery, clothing, photography, toys, soaps, skin care, and a great deal more. The Apollo Bay Community Market is plastic bag free so you will need to BYO trolley, basket or bags.

The 2019 Apollo Bay Seafood Festival will be held over 3 days from Friday 15th February until Sunday 17th February. The festival's aim is to highlight the spirit of the local fishing community, the world class seafood sourced from the local waters and the rugged beauty of this coastal town.

The annual Apollo Bay Music Festival started in 1992 and was held over 2 days every Autumn. The festival had been held for over 20 years and was a firm favourite with both performers and festival goers.

The Great Ocean Sports Festival is a two day event held in February and involves five local sporting clubs in Apollo Bay. Featured are the Great Ocean Swim, the Dash for Cash, the Otway Adventure Race, the Apollo Bay Sailing regatta, the one mile Board Paddle, the Great Ocean Team Surfing Challenge, the Phil Anderson Cycling Criterium, the Big Catch fishing competition. not to mention the 5 and 10 kilometre Beach Run. Something for everyone!

The Great Ocean Road International Marathon is run in May every year. The Great Ocean Road is a challenging and spectacular course for a marathon. A series of different events from the 1.5Km Kid's Gallop to the 60Km Ultra Marathon will appeal to runners and walkers of all ages and abilities. The race is between Lorne and Apollo Bay which is a distance of 44Km. There is a timer at the 42.195Km mark for those who wish to know their "official marathon" time.

In 2019 the events will be held on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th May.

The events in 2018 were run on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th May. The Great Ocean Road International Marathon was won by Julian Spence in the time of 2:35:43. Natasha Fraser was the winner of The Ultra Marathon in a time of 4:18:54. The Half marathon saw Stephen Dinneen win in a time of 1:18:39. Jack Rayner won the 14Km Paradise run in a time of 42:16 and the 14Km Wheelchair race was won by Samuel Rizzo in a time of 39:05. The 6Km Run was run and won by Reilly Shaw in a time of 17:33. The 1.5Km Kids Gallop was won by Sam Lindsay in a time of 5:54. Congratulations to all winners and competitors!

In 2017 the events were run on Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st May. The Great Ocean Road International Marathon was won by Julian Spence in the time of 2:32:44. Francesco Ciancio was the winner of The Ultra Marathon in a time of 4:06:26. The Half marathon saw Zac Newman win in a time of 1:14:59. Brenton Rowe won the 14Km Paradise run in a time of 43:18 and the 14Km Wheelchair race was won by Samuel Rizzo in a time of 36:56. The 6Km Run was run and won by Yuan Chow Lui in a time of 20:19. The 1.5Km Kids Gallop was won by Evander Scott in a time of 6:00. Congratulations to all winners and competitors!

The events in 2016 were run on Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th May. The Great Ocean Road International Marathon was won by Julian Spence in the time of 02:33:00. Francesco Ciancio was the winner of The Ultra Marathon in a time of 04:05:02. The Half marathon saw Ben Ashkettle win in a time of 01:13:42. Liam Adams won the 14Km Paradise run in a time of 41:24 and the 14Km Wheelchair race was won by Campbell Message in a time of 38:13. The 6Km Run was run and won by Riley Kane in a time of 20:20. The 1.5Km Kids Gallop was won by Evander Scott in a time of 6:00. Congratulations to all winners and competitors!