🔍

Apollo Bay

VIC 3233 • Rest of VIC

1,790
Population (2021)
$59,488
Median Household Income
86.92 km²
Area
$300/wk
Median Rent
CoastalTourist TownRetiree-FriendlyGreat Ocean RoadScenic

About Apollo Bay

Apollo Bay is a picturesque coastal town on the Great Ocean Road in south-western Victoria, about 190 km from Melbourne. With a population of around 1,790 residents and a median age of 52, it has an older demographic profile characteristic of sea-change destinations. The town sits between the Otway Ranges and Bass Strait, offering dramatic coastal scenery and a relaxed, small-town atmosphere. English and Australian ancestry predominate, with a significant proportion of residents born locally.

Apollo Bay is a major tourist destination along the Great Ocean Road, attracting visitors year-round with its beautiful beaches, fishing harbour, and proximity to Great Otway National Park. The town offers cafes, restaurants, galleries, and the popular Apollo Bay Music Festival. It appeals to retirees, sea-changers, and tourism workers, with holiday accommodation a key part of the local economy. The surrounding Otway hinterland provides excellent bushwalking, waterfalls, and wildlife experiences.

Apollo Bay falls under postcode 3233 and is governed by Colac-Otway Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Polwarth (Western Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3233
Urban Area
Corangamite - Golden Plains
LGA / Council
Colac-Otway
Federal Electorate
Wannon
State Electorate
Polwarth (Western Victoria)
Type
Urban
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-38.74°, 143.65°
Statistical Area
Rest of VIC
Area
86.92 km²
Elevation
300m

🏷️ Property Prices June quarter 2025

Median sale prices in Apollo Bay for the June quarter 2025. Median sale prices published by the Valuer-General Victoria.

🏡House
$778K
6 sales · ▼ 25.4% YoY

Source: Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report. Medians are for the latest quarter; the change shown is the official 12-month movement. Suburbs with very few sales in a quarter can be volatile.

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$300
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,700
Avg Household Size
2 people
Median Age
52 years

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • V/Line Coach — Geelong via Colac 2h 30min
  • V/Line Coach — Warrnambool via Port Campbell 2h

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
190 km
By Train
N/A - no train service
By Bus
4h+ via V/Line coach to Geelong then train
By Car (Peak)
2h 45min
By Car (Off-Peak)
2h 30min

🛣️ Regional town; nearest major centre is Colac (45 min drive). Most residents work locally in tourism, agriculture or remotely.

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

The compact town centre is walkable with shops, cafes and the harbour within easy reach, but a car is essential for accessing surrounding attractions and services.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the Colac-Otway Local Government Area, which contains Apollo Bay. Rates are per 100,000 residents for the year ending September 2025; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods.

Break & enter (dwelling)
250.7 / 100k
2yr Up 11.7% 10yr Down 43.6%
Motor vehicle theft
89.5 / 100k
2yr Up 81.3% 10yr Down 23.5%
Non-FV assault
259.6 / 100k
2yr Down 18.6% 10yr Stable
Robbery (unarmed)
0 / 100k
2yr — 10yr Down 100.0%
Steal from vehicle
308.9 / 100k
2yr Up 67.8% 10yr Up 11.8%
View all offence subgroups for Colac-Otway →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,598
Census 2021
1,790
▲ 12.0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$29,432
Personal Income 2021
$36,140
▲ 22.8% increase

2021 Census income breakdown

Personal = median for one earner. Household = all members of a dwelling pooled. Family = related members only. Annual = weekly × 52.

Personal
$36,140 / yr
$695/wk
Household
$59,488 / yr
$1144/wk
Family
$78,208 / yr
$1504/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,277
Born Overseas 311

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 64
  • 2. New Zealand 24
  • 3. Ireland 16
  • 4. India 15
  • 5. China 14
  • 6. Netherlands 13
  • 7. Indonesia 11
  • 8. Germany 10
  • 9. Malaysia 10
  • 10. Sri Lanka 9

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 697
Australian 563
Irish 309
Scottish 222
German 98
Dutch 47
Italian 43
Chinese 36
Greek 31
Australian Aboriginal 30

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

993
Both parents born in Australia
382
Both parents born overseas
206
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
51.3%
Christianity
30.8%
Buddhism
1.5%
Islam
1.1%
Hinduism
0.8%
Sikhism
0.3%
Judaism
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
74 (4.1%)
5-14 years
169 (9.4%)
15-19 years
74 (4.1%)
20-24 years
44 (2.5%)
25-34 years
177 (9.9%)
35-44 years
181 (10.1%)
45-54 years
238 (13.3%)
55-64 years
309 (17.3%)
65-74 years
319 (17.8%)
75-84 years
143 (8.0%)
85+ years
54 (3.0%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Apollo Bay known for? +

Apollo Bay is a picturesque coastal town on the Great Ocean Road in south-western Victoria, about 190 km from Melbourne. Apollo Bay is a major tourist destination along the Great Ocean Road, attracting visitors year-round with its beautiful beaches, fishing harbour, and proximity to Great Otway National Park.

How far is Apollo Bay from Melbourne CBD? +

Apollo Bay is approximately some distance from Melbourne CBD, with a typical drive taking around 30-60 minutes depending on traffic and route taken.

Does Apollo Bay have public transport? +

Apollo Bay has limited public transport options. V/Line coach services connect some regional towns, but a car is the most practical way to get around in this area.

What is the population of Apollo Bay? +

According to the 2021 Census, Apollo Bay has a population of approximately 1,790 residents, a modest but established community. The suburb falls within the Colac-Otway (Shire) local government area.

Is Apollo Bay a good place to live? +

Apollo Bay is highly appealing to those seeking a coastal lifestyle, with easy access to beaches, waterways, and outdoor recreation. It suits families, retirees, and sea-changers looking for a relaxed pace of life close to nature.

What is the postcode for Apollo Bay? +

The postcode for Apollo Bay, VIC is 3233. This postcode covers Apollo Bay and may also serve nearby localities within the same postcode zone.

What is the average income in Apollo Bay? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Apollo Bay is about $695 per week (around $36,100 per year). The median household income is $1,144 per week and the median family income is $1,504 per week.

What is the median house price in Apollo Bay? +

As of June quarter 2025, the median house price is $777,500, down 25.4% year-on-year. Figures are based on Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report.

What is the age profile of Apollo Bay? +

The median age in Apollo Bay is 52. The largest age group is 65–74 (319 residents, around 18%). Around 18% of residents are under 20 and about 29% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Apollo Bay a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Apollo Bay is part of the Colac-Otway LGA — see the Crime Statistics section on this page for the latest recorded offence rates per 100,000 residents, along with 2-year and 10-year trends.

How much is rent in Apollo Bay? +

In Apollo Bay, the median weekly rent is $300, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,700 (2021 Census).