Flood Risk in Apollo Bay, VIC: 2026 Assessment

Apollo Bay, Victoria· UNKNOWN
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.Updated 1 Apr 2026

Flood Risk Score

6.0/10

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.

Key Facts

Flood Risk
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.
Trend
increasing
Suburb
Apollo Bay, VIC
Overall Risk
Medium
Postcode
3233
Highest high-risk exposure
11.2% of land (bushfire)

Flood Risk Analysis

Apollo Bay, located in Victoria, has a notable flood risk profile based on available data including proximity to waterways, elevation, and historical flood events. The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) maintains river height and flood warning data for catchments across Victoria.

Historical flood events have impacted properties near the Barham River. Council maintains flood maps and provides guidance on flood preparedness.

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.

For a comprehensive property-specific flood assessment including address-level elevation data, flood overlay mapping, and insurance cost estimates, use the ClimateNest full analysis tool. General suburb data cannot replace a site-specific evaluation.

Apollo Bay sits within ClimateNest's suburb-level hazard model for flood risk. 9.4% of the suburb's land area is mapped in high-risk flood zones and 63.5% 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

Nearest WaterwayBarham River
Elevation Range0-50 meters
Flood Zone ClassificationAreas near Barham River and low-lying coastal areas

Historical Events

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 at risk of flooding?

Based on available data, Apollo Bay has a notable flood risk profile. Flood risk varies by address — check your specific property for precise flood zone mapping and elevation data with ClimateNest.

What flood insurance costs can I expect in Apollo Bay?

Insurance costs for flood cover in Apollo Bay depend on the property's flood zone classification, elevation, and proximity to waterways. ClimateNest provides address-level insurance cost estimates based on your property's specific hazard exposure.

Does flood risk affect property values in Apollo Bay?

Yes, flood risk can affect property values in Apollo Bay. Properties in mapped flood zones may experience lower buyer demand, reduced valuations, and higher insurance costs. Lenders increasingly assess flood exposure as part of mortgage risk evaluation.

How does elevation affect flood risk in Apollo Bay?

Elevation is a critical factor in flood risk. Properties at higher elevations within Apollo Bay typically have lower flood exposure than those near waterways or in low-lying areas. Address-level elevation data combined with BOM flood mapping provides the most accurate picture.

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