Bushfire Risk in Apollo Bay, VIC: 2026 Assessment

Apollo Bay, Victoria· UNKNOWN
The area surrounding Apollo Bay has a moderate bushfire risk due to the presence of nearby forests and grasslands. Drier conditions and higher temperatures associated with climate change are expected to increase the likelihood of bushfires.Updated 1 Apr 2026

Bushfire Risk Score

4.0/10

The area surrounding Apollo Bay has a moderate bushfire risk due to the presence of nearby forests and grasslands. Drier conditions and higher temperatures associated with climate change are expected to increase the likelihood of bushfires.

Key Facts

Bushfire Risk
The area surrounding Apollo Bay has a moderate bushfire risk due to the presence of nearby forests and grasslands. Drier conditions and higher temperatures associated with climate change are expected to increase the likelihood of bushfires.
Trend
increasing
Suburb
Apollo Bay, VIC
Overall Risk
Medium
Postcode
3233
Highest high-risk exposure
11.2% of land (bushfire)

Bushfire Risk Analysis

Apollo Bay, Victoria, has a the area surrounding apollo bay has a moderate bushfire risk due to the presence of nearby forests and grasslands. drier conditions and higher temperatures associated with climate change are expected to increase the likelihood of bushfires. bushfire risk profile. Key factors include distance to classified bushland, vegetation type, slope, and historical bushfire activity in the region. The Victoria fire authority maps bushfire-prone areas and assigns BAL (Bushfire Attack Level) ratings.

Apollo Bay is located in a designated bushfire-prone area. Residents should maintain their properties and have a bushfire survival plan.

CSIRO research indicates climate change is extending fire seasons and increasing the number of severe fire weather days across southern and eastern Australia. For Apollo Bay, this may mean shifts in bushfire risk levels over the coming decades, making property-level BAL assessment increasingly important.

Use ClimateNest for a complete address-level bushfire risk report for Apollo Bay including BAL zone assessment, evacuation route mapping, and property-specific risk mitigation recommendations.

Apollo Bay sits within ClimateNest's suburb-level hazard model for bushfire risk. 11.2% of the suburb's land area is mapped in high-risk bushfire zones and 64.8% in moderate-risk zones, based on the national hazard overlay. Exposure at this scale varies street by street, which is why an address-level check matters before you buy or insure a specific property in Apollo Bay.

Apollo Bay (postcode 3233) is tracked in ClimateNest's suburb hazard model, which maps the share of the suburb's land exposed to each hazard at high and moderate levels. The suburb's highest high-risk exposures are bushfire (11.2% of land in high-risk zones), riverine flood (9.4% of land in high-risk zones), surface flood (8.5% of land in high-risk zones). Exposure is not uniform across Apollo Bay — individual properties can sit well above or below these averages, so an address-level check is recommended before buying, selling or insuring.

Local Hazard Evidence

Distance to BushlandAdjacent to Otway National Park
BAL Overlay / ZoneBushfire Management Overlay
Bushfire Prone AreaYes

Historical Events

2013
Minor

A bushfire near Apollo Bay prompted evacuations and threatened properties.

Adaptation & Mitigation Actions

Upgrade flood defenses

Near-term

Invest in infrastructure to protect properties from flooding, such as levees and drainage improvements.

Est. cost: High

Implement bushfire management strategies

Near-term

Reduce fuel loads and improve firebreaks to protect properties from bushfires.

Est. cost: Medium

Develop a heatwave response plan

Immediate

Establish cooling centers and provide support for vulnerable populations during heatwaves.

Est. cost: Low

Protect coastal areas

Long-term

Implement coastal protection measures, such as seawalls and beach nourishment, to mitigate erosion and inundation.

Est. cost: Very High

Promote water conservation

Near-term

Encourage residents and businesses to reduce water consumption to address potential water shortages.

Est. cost: Low

Council & Emergency Services

Colac Otway Shire Council
Emergency Services

Data last updated: 1 April 2026

Explore Apollo Bay Risk Reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Apollo Bay in a bushfire prone area?

Parts of Apollo Bay may be designated as bushfire prone land. Based on available data, Apollo Bay has a notable bushfire risk. Check your specific property for BAL ratings through ClimateNest or your local council.

What BAL rating applies to properties in Apollo Bay?

BAL ratings in Apollo Bay depend on the property's distance from classified vegetation, vegetation type, and slope. A site-specific assessment under AS 3959 is required to determine the exact BAL rating for any property within the suburb.

Does bushfire risk affect insurance in Apollo Bay?

Yes, properties in bushfire-prone parts of Apollo Bay may face higher building insurance premiums. Insurers assess bushfire risk based on BAL rating, fire history, and proximity to bushland. Some insurers may restrict cover in very high-risk locations.

What bushfire mitigation measures help protect homes in Apollo Bay?

Effective bushfire mitigation includes maintaining cleared asset protection zones, using ember-proof mesh on vents, installing metal gutter guards, using non-combustible building materials, and maintaining defendable space. Consult the Victoria fire authority for property-specific guidance.

What share of Apollo Bay is exposed to high bushfire risk?

ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 11.2% of Apollo Bay in high-risk zones for bushfire, with a further 64.8% in moderate-risk zones. Suburb-level exposure is not uniform — individual properties can differ from these averages, so an address-level check is recommended.

Is Apollo Bay Safe from Climate Risk?

Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Apollo Bay, Victoria, covering flood, bushfire, sea level rise and more.

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What A$69 could save you from

$7.2B
2022 insured disaster losses*
$300B+
climate risk to property by 2050*
30-120%
insurance premium increases in high-risk areas*

*Industry sources: ICA, APRA, RBA

Full report from A$69 · Australian addresses only · 8 hazard scores · Insurance trajectory · 2030 & 2050 projections