Is Apollo Bay, VIC Climate Safe? 2026 Assessment

Apollo Bay, Victoria· UNKNOWN
Moderate climate risk — address-specificUpdated 1 Apr 2026

Climate Safety Score

5.2/10

Moderate climate risk — address-specific

Key Facts

Climate Safety
Medium
Flood
Apollo Bay faces a moderate risk of flooding, primarily from the Barham River and coastal inundation. Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of heavy rainfall events, exacerbating flood risk.
Bushfire
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.
Heat
Apollo Bay is experiencing an increase in the number of hot days and heatwaves. Climate change is projected to further increase average temperatures, leading to more frequent and intense heat events.
Storm
Moderate storm risk — severe thunderstorms with hail and damaging winds
Postcode
3233
Highest high-risk exposure
11.2% of land (bushfire)

Climate Safety Analysis

Apollo Bay in Victoria has an overall climate safety rating of Medium. This multi-hazard assessment combines flood, bushfire, heat, coastal, and storm risk data with climate projections to 2050 from CSIRO and the Bureau of Meteorology.

Key factors affecting Apollo Bay's climate safety include flood, coastal. Each hazard is assessed independently and combined for an overall picture. Australia has warmed by approximately 1.5 °C since 1910, with flow-on effects to fire weather, extreme rainfall, and heatwave frequency.

Climate safety for property in Apollo Bay is not uniform — it varies by address. Factors such as elevation, distance to waterways, proximity to bushland, and local drainage all influence actual risk at a specific property. Two nearby properties can have materially different risk profiles.

For a complete property-specific climate safety report for Apollo Bay including address-level hazard mapping, insurance outlook, and adaptation recommendations, use the ClimateNest full analysis tool.

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 OverlayBushfire Management Overlay
Nearest WaterwayBarham River
Flood ZoneAreas near Barham River and low-lying coastal areas
Avg January Max24.5 °C

Historical Events

2020
Minor

High tides and storm surge caused coastal erosion along the Apollo Bay foreshore.

2019
Moderate

Apollo Bay experienced a prolonged heatwave with temperatures exceeding 40°C.

2013
Minor

A bushfire near Apollo Bay prompted evacuations and threatened properties.

2011
Moderate

Heavy rainfall caused the Barham River to flood, impacting low-lying areas of Apollo Bay.

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 safe from climate change?

No location in Australia is entirely immune to climate change impacts. Apollo Bay has an overall Medium climate risk rating. Understanding the specific hazards at your property address — not just the suburb average — provides the most reliable risk picture.

Which climate hazard poses the biggest risk in Apollo Bay?

The dominant hazard for Apollo Bay depends on geography and local environment. Proximity to waterways elevates flood risk, while proximity to bushland increases bushfire risk. ClimateNest's multi-hazard analysis identifies the highest-risk hazards for any specific address.

How does Apollo Bay compare to nearby suburbs for climate safety?

Nearby suburbs may have different climate risk profiles depending on elevation, vegetation cover, drainage patterns, and land use. ClimateNest allows comparison of climate safety scores across Victoria suburbs.

Should I be concerned about buying property in Apollo Bay?

Climate risk should be one factor in your decision, alongside price, location, and amenity. An informed buyer understands the specific risks at a property address and factors insurance costs and climate projections into their assessment of long-term value.

What climate projections should I know for Apollo Bay?

Key projections for Victoria from CSIRO include increased average temperatures, more frequent hot days, changes in rainfall seasonality, longer fire seasons, and potential increases in extreme rainfall intensity. These trends inform the long-term outlook for Apollo Bay.

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.

Free instant previewCSIRO-powered data

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