Taste Victoria's finest local catches this summer when the Apollo Bay Seafood Festival makes its triumphant return from February 17-19. It's been two years since the seafood spectacular graced the Apollo Bay Harbour, and it's making up for the lost time by coming back bigger and better than ever before.
The festival will kick off the night of Friday, February 17 with a series of dinners at some of the best restaurants Apollo Bay and the Otways have to offer. Highlights include a nine-course degustation menu at Perch Lavers Hill; a five-course dinner with local octopus, southern rock lobster, bass strait scallops and local snapper at Graze Apollo Bay; a five-course seafood dinner overlooking Apollo Bay at the Birdhouse; a three-course dinner inspired by Italian cuisine and local seafood at Casalingo; and a five-course seafood and bush tucker dinner at Sandy Feet.
The festivities will continue on Saturday from 11am to 8pm, with the harbour filled to the brim with pop-up restaurants, cooking demonstrations and a seafood market. Wear your loosest clothing because tasty morsels like seafood dumplings, scallop pies, abalone sashimi and oysters will be on offer. Kids will also be able to get in on the fun with hands-on experiences like sailing lessons, casting competitions and harbour expeditions. In the evening, the likes of Fenn Wilson, Hobson Bay Coast Guard, Go Dog Go, the Beachniks and Matt Orchard will take to the stage to play live tunes.
On Sunday, make your way back to the harbour for educational panels involving local fishermen, scientists, ocean activists, farmers, chefs and Indigenous knowledge holders. Panel participants will speak on critical issues that affect the local environment and share ideas on how we can live harmoniously, rather than depleting our land and oceans.
For the full program and to purchase tickets, head to the Apollo Bay Seafood Festival website.
