Apollo Bay Recreation Reserve

Apollo Bay Recreation Reserve: Simple Camping by the River and Beach

Located at 70 Great Ocean Road in Apollo Bay, Victoria, Apollo Bay Recreation Reserve offers a more straightforward camping experience right by the Barham River and just across the road from the beach. This reserve provides a convenient and budget-friendly option for those looking to camp in Apollo Bay, with easy access to both natural surroundings and the town's amenities.

Apollo Bay Recreation Reserve offers spacious camping locations alongside the Barham River and adjacent to the local football oval. While offering a simpler style of camping compared to commercial caravan parks, it provides essential facilities and a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. The reserve is situated just outside the central part of Apollo Bay, allowing for a peaceful stay while still being within easy reach of shops and restaurants. It's a popular spot for those who enjoy being close to nature and the water. Importantly, the reserve is dog-friendly year-round, making it a great option for those travelling with their canine companions. 

Facilities:

Apollo Bay Recreation Reserve provides basic but essential facilities for campers:

• Powered sites
• Unpowered sites
• Basic ensuite cabins (limited number)
• Amenities block
• Laundry facilities
• Camp kitchen
• BBQ area
• Dump point
• Water access
• Fires permitted (in designated areas, subject to conditions)
• Dog friendly

Distance to Nearby Tourist Spots:

Apollo Bay Recreation Reserve is located just outside the central area of Apollo Bay, offering convenient access to the town and nearby attractions on the Great Ocean Road and in the Otway Ranges. Distances are approximate from the reserve (70 Great Ocean Road, Apollo Bay):

• Barham River: Adjacent to the reserve, offering opportunities for fishing.
• Mounts Bay Beach: Located just across the Great Ocean Road, suitable for swimming, surfing, and fishing.
• Apollo Bay Town Centre: Approximately 700 metres, a short walk (less than 1 km), providing access to shops, cafes, restaurants, the harbour, and the Saturday foreshore market.
• Apollo Bay Golf Course (9-hole): Located within 700 metres of the campground.
• Marengo Reef Marine Sanctuary: A couple of kilometres away, ideal for swimming, diving, and snorkelling, and adjacent to Marengo Family Caravan Park.
• Marriners Lookout: Offers panoramic views of Apollo Bay and the coastline. A short drive from the town centre (approximately a 5-minute walk up a steep track from the car park).
• Great Otway National Park: Easily accessible from Apollo Bay, offering numerous walking tracks, waterfalls, and rainforest scenery.
• Maits Rest Rainforest Walk: A beautiful, accessible boardwalk through cool temperate rainforest. Approximately a 15-20 minute drive west.
• Coastal Waterfalls (e.g., Triplet Falls, Hopetoun Falls): Located within the Otway Ranges, accessible via scenic drives from Apollo Bay (allow 30-60+ minutes driving time depending on the waterfall).
• Cape Otway Lightstation: Mainland Australia's oldest surviving lighthouse. Approximately a 20-25 minute drive west.
• Kennett River (Koala Walk): Known for its population of wild koalas in the trees. Approximately a 20-25 minute drive east along the Great Ocean Road.
• Twelve Apostles: Iconic limestone stacks on the coastline. Approximately a 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes drive west along the Great Ocean Road. Other shipwreck coast attractions like Loch Ard Gorge are in the same vicinity.

Apollo Bay Recreation Reserve offers a more back-to-basics camping experience in a great location by the river and beach, providing easy access to Apollo Bay's amenities and the natural wonders of the Great Ocean Road region, and is a welcoming spot for dog owners.