The Port of Apollo Bay harbour is an important feature of the town and the wider Great Ocean Road community. Integral to Apollo Bay’s identity, it generates significant economic benefits by helping attract thousands of visitors each year.
SAFETY INFORMATION FOR MARINERS
Call (03) 5232 9475 or 0418 320 441 for up to date information regarding navigation or berthing.
Notice to Mariners
Notices to Mariners (NTM) for all Victorian waters including the Port of Apollo Bay can be found at the VRCA website: https://vrca.vic.gov.au/notice_category/notice-to-mariners
Apollo Bay Harbour redevelopment
We’re delivering the highly anticipated Apollo Bay Harbour Redevelopment project.
About the Port
In 1952 workers redeveloped a pier that stretched out into the bay. Further improvements, including a $1.6 million upgrade of the old timber marina with a floating marina pontoon system, has boosted safety and access for all users. Today the harbour is home to a local fishing industry and commercial fleet made up of trawlers, crayfish and charter boats.
The port is enclosed by two large breakwaters. The harbour contains a main wharf with marina berths, which users lease for an annual fee, while a causeway enables boat access.
The area enclosed by the breakwater contains a sandstone reef. This makes much of the harbour floor shallow and visible at low tide. The public has access to the wharf and breakwaters extending around the bay, allowing people to spot sea life such as fish, stingrays and jellyfish. This access also encourages activities such as walking and fishing.
Primary Industry - Fishing
The Port of Apollo Bay supports one of the area's larger primary production employers. The harbour’s fishing industry alone generates about $6.5 million per year. The floating marina at the Port of Apollo Bay affords permanent berthing to 29 vessels - 12 of them commercial fishing boats. Another 17 vessels, mostly recreational, are moored in the harbour on swing moorings. There is also space for visiting fishing boats to berth alongside the wharf seasonally, as required.
Recreation Opportunities
Visitors to Apollo Bay have many options when it comes to enjoying the port's facilities.
Fishing – Fishing is allowed within designated areas of the wharf and breakwaters for those who hold a Victorian Recreational Fishing Licence: https://vfa.vic.gov.au/recreational-fishing/fishing-licence
Walking and sightseeing – The harbour is often abuzz with activity. You can see fishing trawlers returning with their catch, vessels chartering tourists, and people fishing, swimming or enjoying a walk on the wharf. The view looking back over Apollo Bay, with its surrounding hills in the background is amazing, with the sunrise truly spectacular!
Swimming – A small beach lies within the harbour, protected within the breakwater walls, making it an ideal spot for young families.
Recreational boating – The harbour has a public boat ramp and landing jetty for boat users to enjoy time on the bay. Boat licenses are required and Victorian boating rules apply. The Apollo Bay Sailing Club is based at the port, with a clubhouse and storage space for trailered yachts. The club has an active membership of all age groups and runs a summer race program.
Apollo Bay Fishermen’s Co-Operative – The Fishermen's Co-Op was founded in 1948, when local fishermen banded together to find markets for their fresh catch from Bass Strait - abalone, scallops, snapper, flake (gummy shark) and Apollo Bay's famous Southern Rock Lobster (crayfish). Fresh produce is available straight from the fishing boats at the Fishermen’s Co-Op. You can also enjoy great fish and chips from the deck overlooking the harbour.
Port Management Services & Operations
The Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority has been responsible for the management, operations and maintenance of the Port of Apollo Bay since 1 July 2024. It was previously managed by Colac Otway Shire. Funding for port operations and maintenance is provided by the Department of Transport & Planning (Victoria), supplementing revenue generated from port fees.
The Authority's harbour management team provides all maintenance and services at the port, including:
Dredging – the harbour’s entrance and inner harbour areas are prone to significant sand silting. Dredge vessel 'Apollo' is used to maintain a sufficiently deep harbour entrance and internal channel, enabling continuous safe navigation of vessels.
Navigational Aids – provision and maintenance of NAVAIDS (lead lights) to ensure safe navigation of vessels through the harbour entrance at night.
Provision of marina berths and swing moorings via 12-month permits for in-water storage of vessels.
Provision of short term permits for use of temporary berths and moorings by visiting vessels.
Maintenance of the boat ramp and wharf – structural repairs and general maintenance to ensure the harbour remains safe, productive and progressive.
Provision of slipway operations – the slipway is available for harbour users/vessel owners requiring out of water maintenance or marine survey inspections.
Pest control – controlling invasive kelp and other sea life from infesting the harbour is a top priority.