The Port of Apollo Bay sits where the Barham River meets the sea at the town of Apollo Bay on the Great Ocean Road.

The Barham River itself is a short coastal stream rising in the Otway Ranges, descending 481 metres over roughly 16 kilometres before emptying into Bass Strait here.

The river's name derives from an Aboriginal word meaning "river," "junction of two rivers," or "stony river bed."

Apollo Bay has a strong fishing heritage, and the river mouth and foreshore area serve as a practical base for those accessing the water by boat or on foot.

The surrounding town offers a natural gateway to Great Otway National Park and the Great Ocean Walk, making this access point a hub for both recreational fishing and broader coastal exploration.