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Victoria (Western Region) |
| Apollo Bay | |
| After Lorne, wooded hills fall away steeply into the ocean. The road follows the coastline in twisted serpentines, becoming very narrow in places where it was literally gouged out of the rockface, occasionally descending to small bays at the river mouths of Wye River and Kennett River. On a fine, sunny day the views are glorious, but best admired from one of the many scenic lookout points as you need to drive with care. Beyond the charming villages of Wye River and Kennett River lies Cape Patton look out which is one of the greatest viewing points on Australia's coast, and the picturesque Carisbrook Falls. | |
| APOLLO
BAY is in a picturesque setting between
pounding surf and gently rounded green hills. Fishing –
commercial and recreational – is the main activity here. If you’re
interested in doing a bit yourself, enquire at Apollo Bay Boat Charter
(tel 03/5237 6214), which does fishing trips and scenic boat cruises. The
town has an enjoyably alternative feel – a lot of musicians live here
and both local pubs have music at weekends.
The Apollo Bay Music Festival, now an annual event, takes place over a weekend in mid-March and features jazz, rock, blues and country, plus many workshops (information tel 03/5237 6761; for bookings Ticketmaster, free tel 1800/136 100). For information on local activities, head for the Great Ocean Road Visitor Information Centre in a new building on the foreshore at the eastern end of town (daily 9am–5pm; tel 03/5237 6529, fax 5237 6194), with an informative display on the rainforest and local history. They also book accommodation at the centre or after hours on a touchscreen computer just outside. Flying is becoming increasingly popular here: the Wingsports Flight Academy (mobile tel 0419/378 616) offers courses in hang-gliding and paragliding and allows those with no prior experience to fly with a fully qualified pilot along the coast in a powered hang-glider. Apollo Air Joyflights (tel 03/5237 7370) does scenic flights to a variety of destinations, including nearby Cape Otway ($30), Twelve Apostles ($70) and as far afield as King Island, Tasmania ($100); prices are based on a minimum of three passengers. If you’re interested in horse-riding, book a trail ride with Wild Dog Trails (tel 03/5237 6441; 1hr 30min $20, full day $80); cycling enthusiasts can enquire about mountain bike tours run by Otway Expeditions (mobile tel 0419/007 586). A few tour operators offer tours for people who are interested in nature and the environment. Otway Eco-Guides (tel 03/5237 7240 or 5237 9255) do walking tours through the Otway National Park. Last Chance Tours (tel 03/5237 7413), run by environmental activists, do walking tours as well as half- ($25) to full day ($55) vehicle tours, visiting endangered rainforest and waterfalls in the hinterland of Apollo Bay. For other sightseeing tours (4WD or normal vehicle) enquire at the Visitor Information Centre. Apollo Bay has a wide variety of accommodation; the information centre has full details of what’s available. Numerous holiday apartments, cosy B&B cottages, guesthouses and farmstays are to be found in the area, many of them picturesquely located in the hills and valleys surrounding the town. One that’s particularly worth seeking out is Wongarra Heights on Sunnyside Road, Wongarra, which offers B&B accommodation on a farm 12km east. Apollo Bay’s main street is lined with motels, most of them rather drab affairs dating from the Seventies. One of the newer and better ones is Beachfront Motel & Cottages on 163 Great Ocean R. There are several caravan parks, the closest to town being the Waratah Caravan Park at 7 Noel St. The Pisces Caravan Resort, 2km north of the town centre. For foreshore camping in more natural, secluded surroundings, try the Marengo Camping Reserve on Marengo Crescent (tel 03/5237 6162; closed May–Oct), or Skenes Creek Camping Reserve, 6km back along the Ocean Road, where a caretaker calls in every day. In town, the eating places are strung along the Great Ocean Road. Rigani’s Fine Food, at no. 58, serves great coffee, sandwiches and cakes. You can eat in or take away at the Wholefood Deli at no. 61 (daily 10am–7pm), although the Bay Leaf Gourmet Deli at no. 131 is more atmospheric and sophisticated. The Apollo Bay Hotel has good seafood, and also cheaper counter and bistro meals. Buffs Bistro at no. 51, serves light snacks, seafood and pasta, while Sea Grapes Wine Bar, at the other end of the strip at no. 141, is more upmarket, serves good coffee and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. A lot of interesting places to eat, in terms of good food as well as scenic views, are outside town. Located in the hills up the coast above Skenes Creek, Chris’s Beacon Point Restaurant, 2km up Skenes Creek Road (tel 03/5237 6411), is renowned for its Mediterranean cuisine and especially its seafood. The Tanybryn Tea House and Gallery, on the corner of Skenes Creek and Wild Dog roads, is also worth the fifteen-minute drive for its well-stocked craft shop, café and fine panorama (10am–5pm; closed last week of June until second week in September). The Elliott River Tea Rooms on the Great Ocean Road, in the hills just west of Apollo Bay, make a nice refreshment stop just before visiting Maits Rest (daily 10am–4.30pm; May–October closed Mon & Tues). If you’ve got enough time for a detour, you can follow the road further north to the small hamlet of Forrest to pay a visit to the unusual Feral Fine Art Gallery and Coffee Bar (June–Oct 10am–5pm weekends and public holidays, Nov–May 10am–5pm Thurs–Tues, during the summer school holidays daily). Events |
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