Apollo Bay Events Listings

Apollo Bay Music Festival

The 2012 Apollo Bay Music Festival presents in its 20th year, an outstanding three day program of local, national and international acts including Jazz, Blues, Roots, Classical, Pop-Rock, World and Country. Set in the backdrop of Victoria's Great Ocean Road, one of Australia's most spectacular coastlines. More than 70 acts are featured across 11 venues. Excellence, variety and surprise are all key ingredients to suit adult contemporary and family audiences. The Festival also integrates into its programming visual and literary events, workshops, street performance, children's theatre and film and actively programs a variety of free entertainment for day visitors. The Great Ocean Road and Otway's provide outstanding visitor experiences including The Great Ocean Walk, Otway Fly, Cape Otway Lightstation and more. Apollo Bay has two beaches and offers a range of accommodation options plus a free shuttle bus to nearby Skenes Creek and Marengo. Visit the website to view the 2012 line up.

Apollo Bay Seafood Festival

An exciting event is coming to town. The Apollo Bay Seafood Festival will focus on all things seafood and food - showcasing the local producers, from berries to Shitake mushrooms, from beers to truffles and all of the fruits de mer. The Seafood Festival aim of the project is to deliver a food event in the region which provides an opportunity for a broad range of regional businesses to showcase and sell their products and services. The event has been designed to grow tourism yield and to facilitate the diversification and development of the regional economy. The Festival is a new addition to the regional event calendar in the Colac Otway Shire, filling a market gap in the food and beverage tourism sector for the region. The Festival is an economic development activity aimed at marketing Apollo Bay as a Seafood Destination.

Conserving Koala Country

Traverse the Great Otway National Park while conducting valuable research on koala habitats to understand the impact of climate change on their population and behaviour. Increasing temperatures, declining rainfall and increased likelihood of fire events are all threats facing koalas. An understanding of the response of koalas to climate change is crucial for the conservation of their population and habitats. During this one week expedition, volunteers will get the chance to work closely with koalas and be involved in all aspects of the research including: - Capturing and handling koalas under close supervision of an experienced catcher/handler - Radio tracking Koala observations - Tree measurements - Habitat assessments. - Scat search, collection, and preparation of samples for analysis. - Deployment of cameras, downloading and viewing images. - Spotlighting for animals at night Total week costs $2500, which includes all food, accommodation, activities and equipment as well as helping to contribute to this vital research.

Ford Otway Cycling Classic

The Ford Otway Cycling Classic is conducted as a friendly road ride event for all cyclists that is held in truly some of the most beautiful scenery imaginable, providing the type of blissful riding that makes you feel alive and fortunate to be a cyclist. The event includes four different rides so there's an appropriate challenge for anyone, ranging from fit and fast road riders who can tackle the 140 kilometre circuit, intermediate riders who can enjoy the scenery on the 70 kilometre Lighthouse ride and kids and their families who can have fun on the 23 kilometre waterfall rides.

Great Ocean Road International Marathon

The Great Ocean Road International Marathon - Festival of Running, Walking and Wheeling, will be held on the weekend of 19 - 20 May, 2012. The five-race concept caters for runners, walkers and wheelchair participants of all ages and abilities over two days. The Great Ocean Road Real Estate Marathon will be held on Sunday, May 20, starting at 8am in Lorne and finishing in Apollo Bay. The Fagg's Mite 10 Half Marathon will also be held on Sunday, starting at 8am from Kennett River and finishing in Apollo Bay. The road from Lorne to Apollo Bay provides the most spectacular and challenging course of any marathon in the world.

The Artist & The Scientists - Bringing Prehistory to Life

A rare chance to get up close and personal with talented Australian artist Peter Trusler on Sunday 12th February. Peter is arguably one of Australia's, if not the world's, most accomplished artists of scientific realism. He specialises in exquisitely detailed depictions of wildlife in their natural environment and has brought those skills into the palaeoenvironment field - his work brings the Wildlife of Gondwana exhibition to life. It's the closest anyone will ever get to "being there"! - General Talk, 4pm - Listen to Peter as he talks about how his art combines with science to bring ancient worlds to life, showcasing 30 years of work. Suitable for all ages and interests. - Demonstration Talk, 7pm - Peter will give a more detailed talk and demonstration of what it takes to produce such works of art, offering fellow artists insight into his specific expertise. Suitable for adults. Saturday 31st March, 4pm Dr Tom Rich, senior curator of Palaeontology at Melbourne Museum and his wife Prof. Pat Vickers-Rich, Head of Monash Science Centre, will team up to give rare personal insight into their journeys around the world as field scientists. Their stories of Dinosaur Cove especially appeal, as it is the local story.

Walk4Stroke

To raise money for the National Stroke Foundation, you can sign up for a three-day walk along the spectacular Great Ocean Road in Victoria. You will be given a fundraising target and can choose to raise the money any way you like. Then, for three days in October you can experience one of Australia's most stunning sections of coastline while enjoying great accommodation, incredible food and the company of new friends. Each day brings different terrain and spectacular views. The Great Ocean Walk extends from Apollo Bay through the Great Otway National Park to the famous Twelve Apostles. On the way you'll enjoy breathtaking coastal scenery, deserted beaches, sheer cliffs, historical lighthouses and shipwrecks, giant mountain ash forests, pristine river estuaries, abundant wildlife, waterfalls, dunes and coastal heartlands on this exciting adventure. The Great Ocean Walk is achievable regardless of your fitness level. Join us on this breathtaking experience and help the Stroke Foundation provide better support and treatment for stroke survivors. Fast Facts: - Trip Duration: 3 days - Physical activity: Walking Challenge grade: Low