Hotel in Apollo Bay, Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Victoria
Apollo Bay Backpackers
Apollo Bay Backpackers is a relaxed, community-focused hostel in the picturesque Great Ocean Road town of Apollo Bay, perfectly placed for exploring the Otway Rainforest and nearby surf beaches. The hostel offers clean dorms and private rooms, a communal kitchen, garden, and a surfboard hire service.
Apollo Bay Backpackers is a relaxed, community-focused hostel in the Great Ocean Road town of Apollo Bay, Victoria, approximately 190 kilometres south-west of Melbourne in the Otway Coast region. The hostel operates as a retro beach house-styled property within walking distance of Apollo Bay's main beach and the Henty Street cafe and restaurant strip. Apollo Bay is the largest town between Lorne and Port Campbell along the Great Ocean Road and serves as the primary gateway for exploring the Otway Rainforest and Cape Otway Lightstation.
The hostel offers a casual, social atmosphere aimed at young travellers, long road-trippers, and international visitors exploring the Great Ocean Road independently. Accommodation options include shared dormitory beds and camping, with a communal self-catering kitchen, a lounge with local information, an outdoor garden area, surfboard hire for guests wanting to try Apollo Bay's beach breaks, and lockers for valuables. Staff are experienced travellers who provide local knowledge about surf conditions, Otway Rainforest walks, and logistics for continuing the coastal drive west toward the Twelve Apostles.
Apollo Bay's position midway along the Great Ocean Road makes the hostel a natural overnight stopping point on the classic Melbourne-to-Adelaide coastal drive. Cape Otway Lightstation, Australia's oldest surviving mainland lighthouse, is 30 kilometres south-west along the park road. Mait's Rest Rainforest Walk and the Otway Fly Treetop Walk in Beech Forest are 35 to 50 kilometres inland. Blanket Bay and Aire River within Cape Otway National Park are accessible as half-day excursions.
Apollo Bay township has a working fishing harbour supplying fresh seafood to the town's restaurants, a Sunday morning farmers market during the warmer months, and a beach suited for swimming in summer.
Amenities
- Dorm rooms
- Private rooms
- Kitchen
- Garden
- Surfboard hire
- Lounge
- Lockers
Visit / Book / Contact
- Official website
- Phone: +61 3 5237 7263
Location
5 Pascoe Street, Apollo Bay VIC 3233
-38.7601, 143.6713 — View on map
Highlights
- Relaxed retro beach house hostel on the Great Ocean Road, walking distance from Apollo Bay beach
- Ideal base for Otway Rainforest walks, Cape Otway Lightstation, and onward Great Ocean Road touring
- Surfboard hire available for guests wanting to try Apollo Bay's consistent beach breaks
- Social communal kitchen and garden area creating a community atmosphere for long-term road-trippers
- Central Great Ocean Road position for continuing drives west toward the Twelve Apostles and Port Campbell
Tips
- The Cape Otway Lightstation drive passes through mist-draped rainforest; morning visits offer the best atmospheric conditions.
- Apollo Bay Harbour has fresh seafood available directly from fishing boats on weekday mornings near the main beach car park.
- Great Ocean Road traffic is heaviest between Lorne and Apollo Bay on summer Sunday afternoons; plan departures for early morning.
- The Sunday harbour market runs during summer months; arriving early secures the best local produce and artisan goods.
- Bring quality rain gear as the Otway Ranges receive the highest rainfall in Victoria and conditions change quickly year-round.
FAQ
How far is Apollo Bay from the Great Ocean Road's main attractions?
Cape Otway Lightstation is 30 kilometres west of Apollo Bay. The Twelve Apostles at Port Campbell are approximately 95 kilometres further west. The hostel is well placed as a base for day trips to both.
Is surfboard hire available at the hostel?
Yes, the hostel offers surfboard hire for guests. Apollo Bay has beach breaks suitable for beginners, and staff can advise on current surf conditions and suitable areas for new surfers.
Is there a self-catering kitchen at the hostel?
Yes, the hostel provides a communal kitchen where guests can prepare their own meals, helping to keep travel costs low while touring the Great Ocean Road.
Accessibility
Apollo Bay Backpackers is a low-set residential-style property. Accessibility facilities for guests with mobility impairments are limited. Guests with specific requirements should contact the hostel directly before booking to confirm room suitability.
When to visit
Summer (December to February) is peak season for beach access and Great Ocean Road tourism. Spring and autumn offer excellent Otway Rainforest conditions with far fewer crowds along the road.