suburb.guide

VIC · Colac Otway Council

Apollo Bay, 3233

Est. population · Jun 2025

1,762

Growth (1 yr)

+1.2%

Growth (5 yr)

+1.6%

Median age

52

Median income

$1,144/wk

Employment rate

51%

Median house price · 4th Quarter 2025

$795,000

Languages at home

10.3%non-English

Most common: Greek, Indonesian, Sinhalese

2021 Census · usual residence

Desirability score

34.9/100
Below average

904th in VIC

Verified 93% confidence

How this score is calculated
  • Coastal
  • Green suburb
  • National parks
  • Excellent transport
  • Education hub
What Apollo Bay is known for: Coastal, Green suburb, National parks, Excellent transport, Education hub

Suburb profile

Well away from Melbourne, Apollo Bay is a coastal smaller community built around sand, sea and space. An older demographic makes it especially popular with retirees, with multiple generations sharing the same neighbourhood. Local shops are sparse, so a fuller set of amenities usually means travelling to a neighbouring town or regional hub.

Green space punches above what many coastal suburbs offer, with parks and playgrounds woven through the suburb. Day-to-day life is more car-oriented here, with buses covering longer trips across the wider area. Housing sits above the suburban middle: not the top of the market, but clearly pricier than average.

Reported crime has been rising recently. Steady development is bringing new homes and gradual renewal to parts of the suburb.

Versus similar coastal suburbs, the suburb reads below average on desirability, chiefly because local dining and lifestyle amenities, plus community and employment trail behind. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.

At a glance

Apollo Bay snapshot

A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk

Median house price

$795k

-11% change

Median rent

—

No data available

Population (ERP)

1,762

+1.2% annual growth

Dwelling vacancy

56.1%

Census unoccupied dwellings

Livability profile

Desirability pillars vs the peer median (50th percentile)

How it compares

Relative standing using percentiles, ranks, and national deciles

Desirability

#56

among Coastal & beach · Mature

Safety

62nd

percentile in state (higher = safer)

Pop. growth

75th

percentile in VIC

Advantage (IRSAD)

4/10

national SEIFA decile

School ICSEA

66th

percentile among schools with ICSEA

Population growth

Recent ERP change over 1 and 5 years

Housing mix

Dwelling types from the 2021 Census

Risks & flags

Quick scan — open a section below for full context

Living here

Desirability

Ranks & confidence
Desirability score
34.9/100 — Below average
National rank
4697th in Australia
State rank
904th in VIC
Peer rank
#56 among Coastal & beach · Mature suburbs
Cohort rank
#96 among Coastal & beach suburbs
Data confidence
93%

Data sources & freshness

  • Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated

Housing

Median house price (4th Quarter 2025)
$795,000
Median price change
-10.7%

Contributes to desirability score · Housing (15%) · Future Growth (7%)

Median price, rental yield and vacancy Recent price momentum

Data sources & freshness

Population

Estimated resident population

1,762(June 2025)

+1.2% annual · +1.6% over 5 years · 75th percentile in VIC

Growth figures & methodology
Annual growth
+1.2%
5-year growth
+1.6%
Change in 1 year
+21
Change in 5 years
+28
Growth rank in VIC
75th percentile

ABS Estimated Resident Population allocated to this suburb from SA2-level data. Not an official ABS suburb count.

Methodology

Figures are allocated from ABS Estimated Resident Population at Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2), using 2021 Census share within overlapping SA2 regions. Where Census data is unavailable, area overlap is used instead.

The dashed chart line is a simple growth-trend estimate to June 2030 (~1,850), extrapolated at +1.1% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.

2021 Census figures

2021 Census

Population
1,790
Median age
52
Median household income / week
$1,144
Dwelling vacancy
56.1%
Unoccupied private dwellings
927 of 1,652
Median monthly mortgage
$1,700
Employment rate
51%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
596 / 72 / 31 (+ 11 other)

Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)

Employment, household income and age diversity (2021 Census)

Data sources & freshness

  • 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated

    The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.

  • Estimated Resident Population — Australian Bureau of Statistics · 2025 · Updated · SA2 ERP allocated to suburb boundaries

Community & culture

No 2021 Census cultural diversity data for this suburb yet.

Data sources & freshness

  • 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated

    The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.

Crime & safety

Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.

Offence counts & rates
Total offences (2026)
123
Against the person
23
Against property
76
Rate per 1,000 residents
69.8
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 78 residents
State safety percentile
62.3th (lower crime is better)
Increase (daily rate)
+35.2%

Most common offence types

  • B21 Criminal Damage8
  • B49 Other Theft24
  • B53 Obtain Benefit By Deception30
  • E21 Breach Family Violence Order16
  • Other Crimes Against The Person6

Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)

Crime rate and year-on-year trend

Data sources & freshness

Family & Lifestyle

Schools & preschools

Schools within 2 km
1
Median school ICSEA
1,043
Median ICSEA percentile
66th
School list
  • Apollo Bay P-12 CollegeCombined · Government · ICSEA 1043 · 66th percentile · LBOTE 14% · 340 students · Top SEA quarter 23%View on My School →

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA

Data sources & freshness

Public transport

8 public transport stops in this suburb

  • Pisces Holiday Park/Great Ocean Rd
  • Pisces Holiday Park/Great Ocean Rd
  • Pisces Holiday Park/Great Ocean Rd
  • Pisces Holiday Park/Great Ocean Rd
  • Visitor Information Centre/Great Ocean Rd

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Public transport stop coverage

Data sources & freshness

Amenities

6 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

Local character & venue list

Local character

  • Limited walkable amenities nearby
  • Great for outdoor family life — 4 parks mapped in suburb
  • Reasonable bus and transport access — 8 public transport stops
Walkability proxy
12/100
Cafés per 1,000 residents
0
Food & drink per 1,000 residents
0
Parks per 1,000 residents
2.23
Sport & outdoors(3)
  • Park
  • Picnic area
  • Sports field
Other(3)
  • Clearwen RetreatHotel
  • Parking
  • Picnic Table

Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe). Transport stops are summarised by type rather than listed individually.

Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)

Food, shopping, recreation and sport (OpenStreetMap)

Data sources & freshness

  • Local amenity insights — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
  • OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated

Parks & reserves

5 parks and public open space in this suburb

  • Apollo Bay Recreation ReservePark
  • Foreshore ReservePark
  • Park Avenue ReservePark
  • Unnamed P0176 Private Nature ReserveNature reserve
  • Wild Dog Bushland ReserveNature reserve

Data sources & freshness

Green cover

Parks & woodland (OSM)
45
Parks (OSM)
4

OpenStreetMap parks and natural woodland features mapped within the suburb boundary.

Contributes to desirability score · Environment (10%)

Parks and green cover (OpenStreetMap)

Data sources & freshness

Health access

Hospitals & GP clinics in suburb
2
Nearest hospital
Otway Health & Community Services Apollo Bay (3.5 km)
Nearest hospital type
Hospital
Nearest hospital emergency
Emergency department
Emergency department in suburb
On site
  • Apollo Bay PharmacyPharmacy
  • Otway Health & Community Services Apollo BayMcLachlan StreetHospital

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Hospitals and GP clinics

Data sources & freshness

NDIS participation

NDIS participants (31 March 2026)
30
Participants per 1,000 residents
17.0

Active NDIS participants allocated from NDIA Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2, ASGS 2016) counts to this suburb boundary. Not an official suburb-level NDIS figure · as at 31 March 2026.

For NDIS spend and service-demand exploration by SA2 or postcode, see the Care Sector Demand Map.

Data sources & freshness

Weather

Typical conditions by season for suburbs in the same ~44 km climate area. Rainfall totals are summed from monthly WorldClim layers; rainy-day counts are approximate.

Summer (Dec–Feb)

Usual max / min
20° / 12°
Rainfall
184 mm · ~23 rainy days

Autumn (Mar–May)

Usual max / min
17° / 11°
Rainfall
265 mm · ~33 rainy days

Winter (Jun–Aug)

Usual max / min
12° / 7°
Rainfall
385 mm · ~48 rainy days

Spring (Sep–Nov)

Usual max / min
15° / 9°
Rainfall
320 mm · ~40 rainy days

Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)

Temperature and humidity comfort

Data sources & freshness

  • Seasonal climate normals — WorldClim 2.1 · Updated

Future & Planning

Planning & development

Development applications from PPARS statewide register (lodged 2020–2022). Free public PPARS MapServer — applications through ~2022 (service last updated Feb 2024).

22 planning-related records

2021· 11 proposals

  • June 2021

  • Use and Development of the Land for an Interpretive Native Wildlife Pa rk Incorporating Walking Track, and Ancillary Buildings (‘Visitor Entry’ Building and ‘Field Base’), Use of Land for a Restaurant and the Sale and Consumption of Liquor (Restaurant and Café Licence), Construction of Fence, Removal of Native Vegetation, Earthworks, Display of One Business Identification Sign, Creation and Alteration of Accesses to a Road in a Road Zone Category 1 with Associated
    475 GREAT OCEAN ROAD APOLLO BAY 3233Permit issued by the RA
  • Construction of Eight (8) Units & Extension & Renovation to Existing Dwelling and Nine (9) Lot Subdivision
    24-26 GREAT OCEAN ROAD APOLLO BAY 3233Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and Works Comprising Construction of Dwelling
    33 SEEBERG COURT APOLLO BAY 3233Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use and Development of the Land for a Dwelling, Earthworks, Construction of a Vehicle Access over Crown Land and Native Vegetation Removal
    6180 GREAT OCEAN ROAD APOLLO BAY 3233Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • May 2021

  • Subdivision of the Land into Two (2) Lots and Creation of Access to a
    217-219 GREAT OCEAN ROAD APOLLO BAY 3233Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • March 2021

  • Development of a Storage Shed
    11 ARTHUR COURT APOLLO BAY 3233Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Subdivision of the Land into Two (2) Lots
    57 Noel StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Building and Works Comprising Construction of Outbuilding and Agricult ural Building
    1145 BARHAM RIVER ROAD APOLLO BAY 3233Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and Works Comprising Construction of Five (5) Glamping Buildings, Main Building and Fire Pit
    311 GREAT OCEAN ROAD APOLLO BAY 3233Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • February 2021

  • Buildings and Works Comprising Construction of Bridge and Road
    80 GREAT OCEAN ROAD APOLLO BAY 3233Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of Two-Storey Dwelling and Alteration of Access to a Road in a Road Zone Category 1
    207 GREAT OCEAN ROAD APOLLO BAY 3233Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
2020· 11 proposals

  • December 2020

  • Two Lot Re-subdivision of Land (Boundary Realignment)
    185 BUSTY ROAD APOLLO BAY 3233Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of a Dwelling
    13 Beach View CourtNo permit required

  • November 2020

  • Use as Indoor Recreation Facility (Yoga Studio)
    4/157 Great Ocean RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Building and Works Comprising Extensions to Storage Sheds
    22 Arthur CourtPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • September 2020

  • Buildings and Works Comprising Deck and Verandah Extensions, Store, Ex ternal Alterations and Display of Business Identification Signage (Part Retrospective), and Use of the Land for the Sale and Consumption of Liquor (General Liquor Licence)
    23-27 Great Ocean RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • August 2020

  • Use and Development of Replacement Dwelling, Re-Subdivision of Land in to Two Lots, Removal of Native Vegetation, and Alteration of Access to Road in a Road Zone Category 1
    535 Great Ocean RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and Works Comprising Extension to Dwelling, Installation of Private Bushfire Shelter and Removal of Native Vegetation
    50 JANSIL COURT APOLLO BAY 3233Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • July 2020

  • Use and Development of the Land for a Dwelling Including Outbuilding a nd Associated Works, and Temporary Retention of Building for Use Associated with Construction Works
    40 Alice CourtPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • April 2020

  • Staged Multi-Lot Subdivision of Land, Associated Earthworks and Constr uction of Retaining Walls, and Creation/Removal/Variation of Easements
    45 Marriners Lookout RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • February 2020

  • Subdivision of Land into Two (2) Lots
    67 Noel StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • January 2020

  • Change of Use from Vacant Land to Caravan Park
    25 Conns LaneLapsed

Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)

Development and planning activity

Data sources & freshness

Hazards

Bushfire planning zone
Overlay applies

Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via Victorian Bushfire Management Overlay mapping.

Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)

Bushfire hazard overlays

Data sources & freshness

  • Hazard planning overlays — State government hazard layers · current · Updated

Politics & representation

Federal electorate
Wannon
Member of Parliament
Dan TEHAN (Liberal)
Results from
2025 federal election
Electorate enrolment (2025)
121,788
Turnout (2025)
94.0%
Swing since 2022 (2025)
-2.3 pp toward Coalition

Two-party preferred (2025)

Coalition 60.9%Labor 39.1%

Estimated suburb voting profile

Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 43.1 km away).

Coalition 40.5%Labor 59.5%

20.4 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate

Estimated swing since 2022: +59.5 pp toward Labor

Nearest polling places

  • Apollo BayLabor 59.8% · Coalition 40.2% TPP (2025)2.5 km away
  • Lavers HillLabor 56.0% · Coalition 44.0% TPP (2025)22.8 km away
  • ForrestLabor 64.5% · Coalition 35.5% TPP (2025)24.8 km away
  • Gellibrand RiverLabor 53.3% · Coalition 46.7% TPP (2025)25.6 km away
  • LorneLabor 52.1% · Coalition 47.9% TPP (2025)36.4 km away

Federal electorate from AEC federal division boundaries (2025 redistribution). Division-level results are official AEC figures from the latest general election, with by-election updates where applicable. The estimated suburb profile blends up to eight nearest ordinary polling booths in the same electorate using inverse-distance weighting from the suburb centroid — an approximation, not official AEC data. Nearest polling places are shown for reference.

Data sources & freshness

Socio-economic

IRSAD decile (2021)
4/10
IRSD decile (2021)
4/10

ABS Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA), 2021 release — the latest available, derived from the 2021 Census. Deciles rank suburbs nationally from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).

What do IRSAD and IRSD measure?

IRSAD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage. Combines indicators of advantage (e.g. high income, skilled occupations) and disadvantage. Higher decile = more advantaged relative to other Australian areas.

IRSD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage. Focuses on disadvantage only (e.g. low income, unemployment, limited education). Higher decile = less disadvantage nationally.

A new SEIFA edition typically follows each census; the ABS has not announced a release date beyond 2021.

Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)

Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile)

Data sources & freshness

Compare with

Similar suburbs to weigh up side by side — scores, safety, schools, and lifestyle.

More in Colac Otway Council

Other suburbs in the same local government area.

Comparable suburbs

Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of Victoria.