LOCAL ACTIVITIES TO DISCOVER AROUND OUR APOLLO BAY ACCOMMODATION ON THE GREAT OCEAN ROAD, AT SKENES CREEK, CAPE OTWAY, PORT CAMPBELL, LORNE, AND TORQUAY

If you're staying at Skenes Creek Lodge Motel & Licensed Restaurant, there are always plenty of activities to do throughout the year - whether you're staying at our Apollo Bay accommodation for a short trip, family holiday, romantic retreat, or simply taking the time to unwind and see the sights - there really is something to suit everyone's age, taste, and budget. Use our Apollo Bay accommodation as a hub to explore many of the local landmarks, festivals, events, recreational activities, markets, shops, and restaurants that the Skenes Creek, Apollo Bay, and Great Ocean Road regions are renowned for. Please keep reading to learn more about our Local Sightseeing Attractions, our Local Events & Festivals, plus our Recreational Activities.

If you'd like to make a booking or check room availability at Skenes Creek Lodge Motel & Licensed Restaurant, please call us on (03) 5237 6918 or Contact Us for additional information, and like us on Facebook to see our recent news and photos, with updates on local events and festivals.

LOCAL SIGHTSEEING ATTRACTIONS

• The Great Ocean Road is a section of road that stretches 243 kilometres / 151 miles between the Victorian cities of Torquay and .........READ MOREWarrnambool, and is registered on the Australian National Heritage list. Arguably one of the finest scenic coastal drives in the world, it is an important tourist attraction in the region, as it winds through state and national parks with varying coastal terrain, and provides spectacular ocean views with access to several prominent landmarks. Our Apollo Bay accommodation is conveniently situated on a quiet stretch of the Great Ocean Road, making it easy to reach all the local sightseeing attractions that the area has to offer.

• The Twelve Apostles is a collection of renowned limestone stacks just off the shore of the Port Campbell National Park, along the .......READ MOREGreat Ocean Road. Their unique proximity to one another has made the site a popular tourist attraction in Victoria. There are numerous vantage points in the area to stop and properly admire the breathtaking views, and to allow for some incredible photo opportunities. Scenic helicopter and tiger moth flights are available from the Apollo Bay airfield so that you can experience the large scale of the Twelve Apostles and Otway Coast from the air.

• The Port Campbell National Park is a protected national park in Victoria that features an array of sheer cliffs overlooking offshore ........READ MOREislets, rock stacks, gorges, arches, and blow-holes. It is home to the famous natural rock formations of Loch Ard Gorge, The Grotto, London Arch (previously known as London Bridge), the Gibson Steps, Shipwreck Cove, and the Twelve Apostles. Skenes Creek Lodge Motel & Licensed Restaurant highly recommends a visit to the Port Campbell National Park whilst you're staying at our Apollo Bay accommodation.

• Lake Elizabeth is a beautiful mountain lake with multiple walking trails and a bicycle path, making it a popular place for picnics, or .........READ MOREcamping expeditions, or just to relax and enjoy the majestic views. The lake is home to a large variety of waterbirds, and also provides dawn or dusk canoe tours to see the platypus. Normally the chances of spotting platypus in the wild can be quite rare, but the guided tours of Lake Elizabeth ensure you'll see at least several of these elusive semi-aquatic mammals - or if you're fortunate, sometimes dozens of platypus.

• The Otway Fly Treetop Walk is an hour long rainforest walk experience that features a steel-structured walkway (at 600 metres in .......READ MORElength and 30 metres above the ground), which takes you right into the canopy of the treetops. It is the longest and tallest walkway of its type in the world, and also features a unique Zip Line / Flying Fox tour, plus a Prehistoric Path to entertain children of all ages. Skenes Creek Lodge Motel & Licensed Restaurant considers the Otway Fly Treetop Walk a must-see attraction whilst you're staying at our Apollo Bay accommodation.

• The Great Otway National Park is a popular destination for both interstate and international tourists, as it contains a diverse range ......READ MOREof wildlife and vegetation that are scattered throughout its beach, forest, and rainforest ecosystems. The park has been classified as environmentally protected, being home to a significant koala population and several endangered species of birds. Guided tours of the national park are available.

• The Cape Otway Lighthouse is the oldest surviving lighthouse in mainland Australia, and stands tall at the southern most point of ........READ MOREwestern Victoria. The light has been in continuous operation since 1848, until it was decommissioned in 1994 and replaced by a low-powered solar light in front of the original tower. Guided tours of the lighthouse are available, along with a café that serves lunch, plus morning and afternoon tea. The Cape Otway lighthouse is less than an hour's drive from our Apollo Bay accommodation.

• The Great Ocean Walk is a walking trail that stretches 104 kilometres (65 miles) from Apollo Bay, near Skenes Creek Lodge Motel & Licensed Restaurant, .....READ MOREand passes through the Otway National Park, eventually ending near the Twelve Apostles. Admire the old shipwrecks, historic lighthouses, stunning waterfalls, lush forests, and scenic lookouts along the journey. The difficulty of the track increases along the walk, with the section between Apollo Bay and Cape Otway suitable for beginners, but steadily becomes more challenging afterwards. Short walks, day hikes, and overnight treks are possible. For those who wish to walk the entire track (estimated to take approximately eight days to complete), guided tours are offered by local operators, and several camp-sites are provided at convenient locations along the track.

• The Maits Rest Walk is a small part of the rainforest within Great Otway National Park that is recognised for its pristine beauty and .......READ MOREspectacular photo opportunities - even being regarded as the best rainforest walk in the region. Skenes Creek Lodge Motel & Licensed Restaurant strongly recommends that you include this walk on your itinerary, as it is quite easy and suitable for all ages, and within a comfortable driving distance from our Apollo Bay accommodation. The track and boardwalk wanders through fern glades and hardwood trees, and takes roughly 30-45 minutes to complete. Several species of possums, koalas, kangaroos, and wallabies are common to this area.

• The Melba Gully Walk passes through an ancient rainforest of mossy trees and giant tree ferns in the Great Otway National Park, ........READ MOREnot too far from our Apollo Bay accommodation. During the day, it is a perfect setting for picnics and for exploring the Madsens Track nature walk (approximately 35 minutes to complete). During the night, experience a unique spectacle as a large colony of glow worms provide hundreds of tiny speckles of light, twinkling in the dark forest to create a magical glittering effect.

• Some of our many local Waterfalls include Aire Falls, Beauchamp Falls, Carisbrook Falls, Erskine Falls, Hopetoun Falls, Marriners ......READ MOREFalls, Stevenson's Falls, and Triplet Falls - to name just a few of the many waterfalls that are within driving distance of our Apollo Bay accommodation. These waterfalls are set amongst tall eucalyptus trees and towering ferns, with raised boardwalks winding through the ancient forests and past rock pools. Viewing platforms are available at convenient locations so that you can occasionally stop and admire the beautiful surrounds. Feel free to contact Skenes Creek Lodge Motel & Licensed Restaurant or the Great Ocean Road Visitor Information Centre for exact details on how to find these wonderful waterfalls.

• The Marengo Reefs Marine Sanctuary can be found 150 metres off the shore of Marengo (near our Apollo Bay accommodation), ......READ MOREand protects 12 hectares of ocean waters, plus a small reef system known as Little Henty Reef. Visitors exploring the sanctuary can expect to see beautiful seaweed and sponge gardens, soft corals, also Australian fur seals, schools of zebra fish, leatherjackets, lobsters, crabs, and much more. The reef is an excellent site for scuba diving or snorkelling, and is accessible either by a short swim from shore, or via a boat launched from Apollo Bay. As this is a national park, please note that restrictions and prohibitions apply to this area, for the protection of the marine environment.

There are plenty of local sightseeing attractions within the Skenes Creek, Apollo Bay, and Cape Otway areas that won't cost you a cent for admission. If you're driving along the Great Ocean Road, don't forget to stop and take advantage of the various lookouts along the way - Cape Patton, Marriners Lookout, Mount Defiance, The Gable Lookout, Red Rock Lookout - and others. For further details on any of these local attractions, feel free to call (03) 5237 6918 or Contact Us at the Skenes Creek Lodge Motel & Licensed Restaurant, or contact the Great Ocean Road Visitor Information Centre.

LOCAL EVENTS & FESTIVALS

• DECEMBER: The Anaconda Adventure Race takes place at Lorne over a two day period around early December, as more than a .....READ MOREthousand entrants swim, run, and race their kayaks and mountain bikes over a demanding off-road course. This endurance race starts with a swim around the Lorne pier and across Loutit Bay, followed by a kayak paddle past the cliffs and beaches that run along the Great Ocean Road, followed by a run from the foreshore to the inland rainforests, past tree ferns and waterfalls. Finally, competitors must ride their mountain bikes to the top of the Otway Ranges, before descending back to the beach for a short run to the finish line. Several categories are available to encourage competitors of all types to participate, as funds raised go to help local charities.

• DECEMBER / JANUARY: The Falls Festival is held at Lorne towards the end of every year, as it runs for several days from the last .....READ MOREweek of December until the first day of January. The festival is held on a farm and features a diverse range of music and arts, with camping facilities available on-site (if required), otherwise our Apollo Bay accommodation is only a half-hour drive from the festival grounds. It has proven to be a popular way to unwind at the end of the year, catch up with friends, and even make some new ones. Both artists and patrons enjoy coming from all over Australia and the rest of the world, as there is always something new and unique to discover at each Falls Festival.

• DECEMBER / JANUARY: The Apollo Bay Summer Art Show is held annually at the Catholic Church Hall, and showcases the work ....READ MOREof local and regional artists. Established and successfully managed for 33 years by the Apollo Bay & District Historical Society, the 34th Art Show was hosted, for the first time, by Apollo Bay Arts Incorporated. Few changes have been made to the successful format of the show, apart from a greater emphasis on encouraging entries from local artists. Both traditional and contemporary styles are featured. Mediums include oil, acrylic, water colour, pastel, charcoal, pencil and printmaking. All works are for sale.

• JANUARY: The Lorne Pier To Pub takes place at the start of January, and is considered to be the largest open water swim in the ........READ MOREworld, attracting many elite athletes and even celebrities. It is organised and run by volunteers from the Lorne Surf Life Saving Club. The course is 1.2 kilometres (0.7 miles) in length, and starts at the Lorne Pier, ending at the foreshore in front of the Surf Life Saving clubhouse. Even though this event is open to all levels of experience (recreational to professional) and all swimmers over the age of 12 years, it is strongly recommended that you are a confident swimmer before you attempt this course. Swimmers are required to register their entries via a ballot system a few months in advance, due to the popularity of this event.

• FEBRUARY: The Apollo Bay Seafood Festival is held in February on the Apollo Bay foreshore area, and provides an opportunity .........READ MOREfor regional restaurants and businesses to showcase their products and services, with some of the finest and freshest seafood straight off the boat - including abalone, barramundi, bream, calamari, crab, crayfish, flathead, gummy shark, lobster, mullet, mussels, oysters, prawns, perch, salmon, scallops, snapper, squid, trevally, trout, and tuna - for example. Stay at our Apollo Bay accommodation, and bring along a picnic rug to enjoy cooking demonstrations, live music, family-friendly entertainment, seafood platters, plus a farmers market that features home-grown local produce (including berries, mushrooms, truffles - even beer).

• FEBRUARY: The Great Ocean Sports & Swim Festival (also known as the Great Ocean Swim) is a two day event organised by ........READ MOREthe Apollo Bay Surf Life Saving Club every February, and involves several other sporting clubs from the local region. Over previous years it has typically featured the following events: Great Ocean Swim, Dash For Cash, Otway Adventure Race, Four Kilometre Board & Ski Paddle, Otway Mountain Bike Challenge, The Big Catch Fishing Competition, as well as a 5 kilometre (3 mile) and 10 kilometre (6 mile) Beach Run that takes place near our Apollo Bay accommodation.

• FEBRUARY: The Kona Odyssey Mountain Bike Marathon occurs in February, and has three courses at varying lengths of either .....READ MORE15 kilometres (9 miles), 50 kilometres (31 miles), and 100 kilometres (62 miles). The 100 kilometre course starts near our Apollo Bay accommodation, and leads riders on a journey past the beaches and through the ranges to the small township of Forrest. This race is undoubtedly one of Australia's most important mountain bike events, providing riders with a supreme challenge, extreme enjoyment, and rewards them with some of the best trails in the land. The organisers traditionally hold a large festival at the finishing line that includes food, drinks, entertainment, live music, and other activities.

• MARCH: The Apollo Bay & Otway District Agricultural Show is typically held each March, having been sustained by members of ......READ MOREthe dedicated Apollo Bay community since the show was founded in 1954. The show features a large variety of creative competitions and animal judging (cattle, dogs, horse, sheep - and more), as it showcases the best of local art, food, fashion, handmade crafts, horticulture, photography, and produce. The show also has plenty of events to entertain the children, including an animal nursery, plus plenty of games, rides, and showbags.

• APRIL: The Apollo Bay Farmers Market takes place in April, and exhibits many of the finest culinary delights being produced in and ....READ MOREaround the Otways. Enjoy the market atmosphere and shop for your groceries in a relaxed environment. Meet the producers to chat about their unique products, and purchase with the added satisfaction that you are supporting local businesses. The market offers affordable and amazingly fresh local produce including pies, freshly baked breads, fruits and vegetables, honey, wine, and lots more.

• APRIL: The Apollo Bay Music Festival is a three day event that takes place every April. The festival was launched in 1992, and has ....READ MOREsince established itself as a highly regarded music event throughout Australia and on the international circuit. It continues to develop a growing audience with Melbourne, interstate and international visitors, as it attracts a multi-age attendance group of families, couples, through to retirees. The festival is the single biggest drawcard for visitors to Apollo Bay over the one weekend, attracting an average of 4500-5000 ticket holders, plus a further 3000 who partake in free activities along the foreshore. The diversity of the programming constantly attracts new audiences, along with many established followers. More than seventy acts across eleven venues are presented over the three day event, presenting an assorted program of national and international performers in a variety of genres covering jazz, blues, roots, classical, pop, rock, hip hop, gospel, and country music. Even though music is the focus, the festival also programs multi-art forms such as theatre, literature, film, comedy, and dance. If you're planning to attend the festival, it makes sense to stay at our Apollo Bay accommodation since we're just a short drive away from the venues.

• MAY: The Great Ocean Road Marathon has attracted many athletes from around the world, all of them eager to participate in this .......READ MOREchallenging and satisfying environment. Held in May every year, runners will experience the beauty of Apollo Bay from a different perspective, as traffic is blocked along the Great Ocean Road. There are currently six courses available to cater for all experience levels, from novices to veterans - including a 45 kilometre (28 mile) marathon, a 23 kilometre (14 mile) half marathon, a 14 kilometre (9 mile) run, a 14 kilometre (9 mile) wheelchair challenge, a 6 kilometre (4 mile) run, plus a 1.5 kilometre (1 mile) children's gallop that involves the entire family. The marathon passes by our Apollo Bay accommodation each year, so if you don't feel like participating, why not support the runners by encouraging them from the sidelines.

• JUNE: The Otway Soup Fest is a winter festival that takes place at the nearby Forrest Public Hall, and incorporates a homemade .........READ MOREsoup competition with categories of other homemade goods, home-brew beer and wines. It includes market and craft stalls, barbeques, soups for lunch, plus coffee and devonshire tea. A variety of free activities make it a fun day for the whole family.

• JUNE: The Apollo Bay Open Golf Tournament occurs over six days at the local golf club (a ten minute drive from Skenes Creek ........READ MORELodge Motel), where it is closed to the public during this period. The tournament includes men's, women's, and mixed events. The course itself is fairly short (at nine holes), with moderately slow greens, seven sand bunkers, no water hazards, and beautiful coastal views. This 4222 metre (4617 yard) par 64 course can sometimes present a real challenge, depending on the winds at the time. The Apollo Bay golf club includes practice facilities, a licensed clubhouse, and a pro shop (open during the summer months) with equipment available for hire.

• JUNE TO OCTOBER: Whale Watching can be experienced during the winter seasons of June through to October. Apollo Bay and ......READ MORELorne have been very fortunate to have unexpected visits from pods (groups) of humpback whales, southern right whales, even killer whales, as they migrate north from Antarctic waters each winter. These graceful giants can grow to 18 metres in length, and often pass close to the shore, sometimes staying for as long as a week. Apollo Bay experienced a particularly special and memorable day in August 2010, when six southern right whales put on an unforgettable display near Wild Dog Beach - by rolling around, waving their pectoral fins above the water's surface, and spouting water up to 5 metres in the air. This was shortly followed by a mother and her calf, which were later spotted close to shore just off Apollo Bay's main beach, not far from our Apollo Bay accommodation. It is acknowledged that sightings in this area have become more frequent over the past few years, which is why the Great Ocean Road Visitor Information Centre in Apollo Bay has dedicated whale-sighting flags that are hoisted when a verified sighting has been made nearby, thus alerting locals and visitors to their presence. There are also some popular 'whale watch' websites and blogs that keep records of confirmed sightings, as hundreds of separate incidences are reported each year across Victoria. People can use these online services to report any sightings, and to track the locations of these majestic mammals. There are numerous vantage points along the Great Ocean Road between Apollo Bay and Lorne where dedicated whale watchers can safely park their cars and admire this rare event.

• ALL YEAR: The Apollo Bay Foreshore Community Market is held at the foreshore area near the centre of town on most Saturday .....READ MOREmornings throughout the year, close to our Apollo Bay accommodation. The market is an excellent opportunity for a pleasant morning with plenty on offer - quality handmade goods, friendly conversations, and coffee from nearby cafes. The stall holders are from the local area, making or growing what they sell - including fresh produce, plants and herbs, wine, handmade crafts and souvenirs, sculptures, paintings and prints, photography - even massage and reflexology, live music, and lots more. The Apollo Bay community market began in 1978 as a meeting place, an outlet for fresh produce, and to encourage the development of local crafts. It is certainly unique, and has maintained its integrity and high quality ever since, so drop by the market if you happen to be staying at Skenes Creek Lodge Motel & Licensed Restaurant on a weekend.

There are many exciting events, festivals, markets, shows, and competitions that are held throughout the year in Apollo Bay, and our Apollo Bay accommodation on the Great Ocean Road is central to all of these activities. For further details on any of these local events and festivals, feel free to call (03) 5237 6918 or Contact Us at the Skenes Creek Lodge Motel & Licensed Restaurant, or contact the Great Ocean Road Visitor Information Centre. To stay updated with the latest news on local events and festivals around the Apollo Bay area, like us on Facebook so you don't miss any recent updates.

RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES

• Surfing - there are many locations at Skenes Creek and Apollo Bay that are perfect for surfing, particularly around April when surf ........READ MOREconditions are at their peak. The environment is generally suited to surfers of all experience levels, as the beaches are wide, and not too crowded depending on the time of the year. Surf lessons and equipment hire are available too. For the more experienced surfers, why not visit the legendary Bells Beach at Torquay - home of the world's longest-running surfing competition, the Rip Curl Pro Surf & Music Festival.

• Swimming - the main beach near our Apollo Bay accommodation is an excellent place to have a swim. The nearby foreshore area .......READ MOREfeatures sand dunes, plus an open grassy area with a children's playground and skate park, making it ideal for family picnics and barbeques. The beach is also within walking distance of Apollo Bay's main street, perfect for an ice-cream or cold drinks on a warm day. If you would prefer to swim in a pool, simply use the Apollo Bay Community Swimming Pool to help cool you down.

• Fishing - there are lots of popular beach, ocean, and river fishing spots that are close to our Apollo Bay accommodation, all along ........READ MOREthe Great Ocean Road - including the local harbour, Wild Dog Beach, Barham River, Marengo Beach, plus many of the river inlets from Lorne through to the Otways. Popular fishing spots along the shorefront and river inlets typically yield salmon, whiting, gummy shark, snapper, trevally, flathead, bream, and mullet. Squid and trevally are regularly caught off the local pier, whilst recreational divers bring in plenty of crayfish and abalone. For those who prefer fishing from a boat out in the bay or open ocean, you can try your luck at catching much larger fish - including shark, large salmon, pike, or barracouta - with some enormous tuna having been caught as well. Deep sea fishing charter groups are available for the serious offshore anglers - they are operated by experienced professionals, who generally supply rods, bait, and all of the equipment. Please note that all anglers need to possess a current Victorian fishing license and be aware of the boundaries and exclusion zones, as there are strict rules and regulations on where and what you can fish, and how much you can catch. For the unlucky fishermen, there is always the local co-op market situated near the Apollo Bay pier, which usually has a great selection available for purchase, including fresh crayfish.

• Golfing - out of the fifty top-rated public golf courses across Australia, five of these are located within an hour and a half drive from .......READ MOREour Apollo Bay accommodation. Four of these five courses are located on the Bellarine Peninsula - the Barwon Heads Golf Club, the Curlewis Golf Club, plus two courses at the Thirteenth Beach Golf Links. The fifth course is The Sands at Torquay, which hosts the annual Surf Coast Knockout, an official PGA Tour event. These historic courses have pristine greens with tree-lined views, and some of the holes overlook Port Phillip Bay. All have highly regarded clubhouses with bars, restaurants, and conference facilities. Additional golf courses can be found closer to the Skenes Creek Lodge Motel & Licensed Restaurant at Apollo Bay, Lorne, and Anglesea.

• Hang Gliding & Paragliding - given the right conditions, the Great Ocean Road is perfectly suited for both hang gliding and also ..........READ MOREparagliding. The coastal stretch from Bells Beach to Apollo Bay and Cape Otway is often referred to by experienced gliders as the 'holy grail of hang gliding', due to its challenging conditions and rewarding scenery. Although this run is rated as advanced (due to the limited landing options), there is a local flight academy that can teach beginners the basics of hang gliding and paragliding. Local gliders typically use Mariners Lookout as their preferred launch site, and the beach near the Surf Life Saving Club as their preferred landing area.

• Skydiving - for a memorable experience that is guaranteed to get your adrenaline flowing, skydive tours operate out of Bells Beach .....READ MOREat Torquay. They provide both tandem and solo experiences that start from 10,000 feet, producing a breathtaking thirty-five second freefall, with a stunning five minute canopy ride that is sure to give you a unique perspective of the Great Ocean Road.

• Four Wheel Driving - the Great Otway National Park has many exceptional roads and tracks that cater for four-wheel drivers of all .....READ MOREskill levels - from novices, to the more serious weekend warriors. Depending on the conditions, a standard four-wheel drive is normally suitable for dry surfaces in the Otways, however mud tyres and a winch are strongly recommended during the wet seasons. There are dozens of interesting tracks to be found deep within the Great Otway National Park that offer easy or challenging driving conditions, and licensed tour operators can assist to plan your journey of exploration. There are also some predetermined routes along the Great Ocean Road (such as Apollo Bay to Anglesea, Beech Forest to Apollo Bay, and Anglesea to Beech Forest) not far from our Apollo Bay accommodation, which are recommended if you want to experience the best four-wheel driving and views of the landscape that the area has to offer - from lush green hinterlands, to tall forests, fern gullies, cascading waterfalls, and everything inbetween.

• Mountain Bike Riding - exploring the Skenes Creek and Apollo Bay region on a mountain bike can give you access to areas that ........READ MOREyou would not normally see on foot or by car, along with the added advantage of enjoying the crisp ocean air. Dedicated mountain bike trails with varying levels of difficulty can be found north of Skenes Creek Lodge Motel & Licensed Restaurant at Forrest, also east at Anglesea. These trails are host to some of the mountain bike community's best events, including the Kona Odyssey mountain bike marathon (previously the Otway Odyssey), and the Forrest six hour event. There are several easier trails in the region, such as the Old Beechy Trail (which runs through the Otway National Park), plus the Bellarine Rail Trail.

• Road Cycling - whilst the Great Ocean Road provides cyclists with some incredible cycling terrain, please be aware that the vast ........READ MOREmajority of the Great Ocean Road only has a single of lane of traffic in either direction (along with many twists, turns, and blind corners), so it is perhaps better suited towards the more confident riders. Aside from the Great Ocean Road, the Apollo Bay region is home to some of the most challenging and rewarding road cycling routes in Australia. One of the more popular (and picturesque) routes begins at the corner of the Great Ocean Road and Skenes Creek Road (right next to our Apollo Bay accommodation), and it ascends towards the Great Otway National Park. This 10 kilometre (6 mile) gentle climb with a maximum gradient of 5% should definitely be among every Victorian cyclist's "must climb' list. There are bike hire facilities available for the casual cyclist, as well as sports stores that sell cycling gear and accessories.

• Sailing - the Apollo Bay Sailing Club has been in existence for well over twenty years, as it aims to provide a wide range of sailing .........READ MOREopportunities to a diverse range of abilities and age groups. Sailing in Apollo Bay can mean many things to many people - from a peaceful cruise in the bay on a sunny afternoon, through to an adrenalin charged sprint in 25 knot winds on the Southern Ocean, racing alongside the Great Ocean Road. The sailing club always encourages new members to join, and occasionally holds sailing days for children to help expand their membership base.

• Horse Riding - there are plenty of horse-friendly beaches and rainforest trails throughout Apollo Bay and the Great Otway National ......READ MOREPark, with horse riding made even easier by the sandy soil found in the region. You can hire horses from a local horse riding school, who can also teach you the basics, then take you on a scenic trail ride through the most beautiful landscape that Apollo Bay has to offer. The school caters for all ages and levels of ability, and provides experienced horses with qualified instructors, safe trails, and approved safety helmets. Riding is available on most Saturdays only, unless you organise a group booking in advance.

• Family Activities - the Otway Coast is guaranteed to entertain children of all ages, and is also great for families that may be on a ..........READ MOREtight holiday budget. Since Skenes Creek Lodge Motel & Licensed Restaurant is only a short walk away from the local swimming beach, we recommend exploring the hidden rock pools, running along the clean golden sands, boogie boarding in the shallow waters, building sandcastles, playing beach cricket, or just enjoying a picnic and ice creams whilst you relax and spend some quality time together. Or you can visit the Apollo Bay Family Farm, where your children can experience the delight of feeding young animals, dairy milking, sheep shearing and wool spinning, plus many other exciting farm activities that the whole family can participate in. Experience the magic of the Prehistoric Path at the Otway Fly Treetop Walk, and the glow worms on the Melba Gully Walk. Experience the fun of the Adventure Park (in Wallington) and the Tiger Moth Adventure Park (in Torquay), with mini-golf courses, flying foxes, adventure playgrounds, pirate ships, canoes, archery, electric cars, water slides, aqua bikes, carousels, and a giant maze. Experience the local history of the museums and heritage attractions, which have specifically designed programs to keep the children engaged and entertained, plus a vintage steam train that operates in the region, not far from our Apollo Bay accommodation. Experience the thrill of a family fun joy flight over the Great Ocean Road, with great deals at affordable prices. Experience the fresh air with horse riding and bike riding tours, or even introduce the family to lawn bowls or berry picking. Experience the taste of fresh ice cream by visiting The Ice Cream Tub (in the Apollo Bay town centre) to sample their award-winning ice creams, frozen yoghurts, gelato, and dairy-free sorbet (all made with the freshest, premium-quality local produce), with many extraordinary gourmet flavours available too. Finally, the local cinema is always guaranteed to entertain the whole family, as they show the latest release movies at reasonable prices. Feel free to contact the Skenes Creek Lodge Motel & Licensed Restaurant or the Great Ocean Road Visitor Information Centre for more details to help plan your unforgettable family holiday at our Apollo Bay accommodation.

• Adventure & Guided Tours - one of the best ways to explore the Apollo Bay region is with a professionally guided tour, many of ..........READ MOREwhich can be booked all year round. Whilst travellers of all ages are catered for, there are also tours that are specifically targeted at certain groups - such as families, 20-25, over 50's, backpackers, adventure seekers, nature lovers, plus food and wine enthusiasts. Experience a guided tour of the natural wonders along the Great Ocean Road, the Great Ocean Walk, the Otway Ranges, and the local rainforests - including bird watching tours, or a night tour to see the glow worms at Melba Gully. Experience fishing charters for a day or overnight tour, snorkelling and diving charters (to explore the many sunken shipwrecks in the Apollo Bay area - with many yet to be discovered), or cruises that tour up and down the stunning coastline, ocean kayaking tours to see one of the largest seal colonies in the country, even surfing lessons or whale watching tours. Experience the adrenaline of scenic flight tours, tiger moth flights (open-cockpit vintage biplanes), extreme aerobatic flights, helicopter rides, jet boats, even Harley Davidson tours along the Great Ocean Road. Or simply relax and enjoy horse riding tours, mountain bike tours, four wheel drive tours, luxury coach tours, or a food and wine tour to neighbouring wineries. No matter what your interests are - either land-based, water-based, or air-based - Apollo Bay is home to many memorable attractions and opportunities that can all be experienced through a wide range of fantastic tours. No matter what time of the year you visit our Apollo Bay accommodation, there is always an exciting adventure that is exceptionally well-priced, with occasional deals and specials to take advantage of. Half day, full day, overnight, and extended tours can all be arranged directly at Apollo Bay, so why not contact the Skenes Creek Lodge Motel & Licensed Restaurant or the Great Ocean Road Visitor Information Centre for more details to help plan your action-packed holiday at our Apollo Bay accommodation.

There are lots of recreational activities to do within the Skenes Creek, Apollo Bay, and Cape Otway areas - not including beach walking and bush walking, kayaking and rafting, wind surfing and kite surfing, scuba diving and snorkelling, plus swimming with the dolphins and seals. Whatever you want to do, you can do it from our Apollo Bay accommodation on the Great Ocean Road. Information for booking guided tours is available at the Great Ocean Road Visitor Information Centre - or please ask Joyce, your host at Skenes Creek Lodge Motel & Licensed Restaurant, for her assistance in helping to organise these activities prior to your stay, via our Contact Us page.

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