A short stay on the Great Ocean Road can be the perfect cool change for busy families. About two hours from Melbourne, Apollo Bay remains one of Victoria’s favourite places to unwind.

Seafarers provides the ingredients for the first morning's fry-up free.

As well as the usual kitchen and cooking facilities, some units have an outdoor barbecue and veranda area.

For the children, returnable beach cricket sets and Frisbees are provided.

Friendly staff will also provide grain to feed their woolly neighbours - sheep and alpacas - and yabbie food and nets for those wanting to catch a crustacean in the property's dam.

The sojourn ends up being a cross between a relaxing stay at a farm and a visit to the beach.

On a hill overlooking the sea, Seafarers Getaway is one of many self contained units catering to weekend and summer visitors.

Nestled into a hill on the Geelong side of Apollo Bay township, it is surrounded by livestock. Visitors have an ocean vista before them and a beach so close that it’s almost your private piece of coast.

There are many attractions and activities to re-energise guests, including amphibious eight-wheeler argo buggies that can be hired, to trek through bush and float through creeks.

Larry Schwartz reviews Seafarers resort as "Highly Recommended" in the 18th March Edition of the The Age Travel Section.

THE VERDICT:
"Seafarers is an ideal getaway that offers relative privacy, views, access to the beach, countryside and Great Ocean Road destinations, an hour or so drive from the 12 Apostles and Otway Fly treetop walk. We've visited twice in a decade and highly recommend."

Seafarers on Channel 9's Getaway Program

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A group of drivers from London’s famous black taxis were special guests at Seafarers in February.

The drivers were guests of Tourism Victoria and were flown in on a familiarization tour so they could learn about Melbourne and Victoria and promote the forthcoming Commonwealth Games.

Back in London, 25 traditional black cabs have been redecorated in bright livery depicting the magnificent 12 Apostles.

The colourful Londoners, with their famous Cockney accents, charmed their hosts wherever they went during their brief stay in Melbourne and regional Victoria.

They were especially welcome at Seafarers on the Great Ocean Road where they enjoyed magnificent ocean views and a specially hosted cocktail party on the deck overlooking Seafarers beach and the lights of Apollo Bay.

"The cabbies were fantastic fun and we loved hosting them. They were over-awed by the beauty of the Great Ocean Road and the views from their Seafarers lodges. Certainly they’ll be marvelous ambassadors for the Great Ocean Road when they get back to work in the hustle and bustle of London", said Seafarers director Gerry Tidd.

"Tourism Victoria is to be congratulated for this very clever and high impact promotion. I’m sure inbound tourism from the UK will increase pre and post Commonwealth Games, based on the cab advertising campaign, and especially the goodwill that will be reported back by the cabbies".

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