Events
Events drive significant economic,
social, cultural, community, and
marketing advantages to our region.
Ranging from major events with notable economic impacts to smaller gatherings that celebrate the town’s essence and spirit, we’ve supported a diverse range of activity.
With the backing of Apollo Bay’s volunteer community and local businesses, here are a few events that the Chamber has been delighted to be involved with.
The WinterWild Festival runs for two weekends each August, attracting tourists at the quietest time of year. More than 5,000 people attend. Local businesses contribute sponsorship, both in cash and in kind. In
2021, some 20 local businesses have made substantial contributions to the Festival, while there are 13 Community Organisation partnerships. The Festival continues to enjoy strong growth.
The Apollo Bay Chamber of Commerce makes WinterWild possible by auspicing the event and providing financial and non-financial support.
WinterWild
The Apollo Bay Seafood Festival shines a light on our sustainable seafood industry and the iconic Southern Rock Lobster. It has grown to become one of the premier culinary, social and environmental events on
the Victorian calendar. Our team of volunteers and local professional event organisers have seen the festival grow to around 5,000 people in attendance.
The Apollo Bay Chamber of Commerce makes the Apollo Bay Seafood Festival possible by auspicing the event and providing financial and non-financial support.
Apollo Bay
Seafood Festival
The ‘Brightest Christmas Tree in Victoria’ shines annually thanks to the collaborative efforts of the Chamber of Commerce, Jamie Pickett, Nick Poltgeist, Sally Cannon, The Colac Otway Shire, and our Cultures By The Sea group. It’s a genuine community celebration where no one profits monetarily, but we all come together to rejoice in our good fortune.
The Apollo Bay Chamber of Commerce provides financial support to Light Up Apollo Bay.
Light up
Apollo Bay
Initially founded by the Apollo Bay Chamber of Commerce committee members, the Great Ocean Road Running Festival was strategically set for the second weekend in May, a quiet period in the bay. Today, it attracts over 8,000 competitors from near and far. This humble beginning of a significant regional event eventually led to its sale to IMG in 2013.
The running festival continues to support local community groups as a legacy from when the ABCC committee members first established it.
Great Ocean Road
Running Festival
Partners
Sylvia, one of the current ABCC committee members, organises Cultures by the Sea, an ongoing regular celebration of the multicultural residents of Apollo Bay. Cultures by the Sea aims to promote and celebrate cultural diversity through food, events, and friendship.
The ABCC auspices and provides financial and non-financial support to Cultures by the Sea.
Cultures by the
Sea
The initiative was aided by the generous assistance of the Apollo Bay Chamber of commerce and the Apollo Bay & District Health Foundation. It's run by 'Swim Apollo Bay Inc.', a not-for-profit association made up of a small group of individuals passionate about open water swimming.
All proceeds go toward event co-ordination, management and administration functions with a financial contribution to the Apollo Bay Surf Life Saving Club, who selflessly volunteer their time to enable us to facilitate a safe and enjoyable event.