VICPort & river
Apollo Bay
Timber went out by sea before roads brought visitors in.
1853Township surveyed · timber anchorage formalised
WHAT STARTED IT
Timber cutters established sawmills in the 1850s and floated logs to ships; the government surveyed Middleton township on Apollo Bay in 1853.
WHAT SUSTAINED IT
A long pier improved coastal trade in 1892. Road upgrades and the completed Great Ocean Road in 1932 shifted the economy toward fishing and tourism. Planning approval was granted for the proposed Great Ocean Green development; the flood-prone site remained controversial.
TURNING POINTS
1853Middleton township is surveyed.
1892Long Pier improves shipping.
1932Great Ocean Road reaches completion.
2007Planning approval was granted for the proposed Great Ocean Green development; the flood-prone site remained controversial.
WHAT IT DOES NOW
A Great Ocean Road fishing and holiday town, serving the Otway coast with accommodation, hospitality and a working harbour.