Chocolate Gannets is the most romantic place to stay on the Great Ocean Road: four self-contained villas facing Apollo Bay, each with a double spa bath, a wood fireplace and a deck where you can watch for whales and dolphins. It suits couples on a self-drive honeymoon who want privacy, a view of the sea and a fire on a cool evening rather than a big hotel.
The property has history on this coast. When it opened in the early 2000s it was the first luxury accommodation on the Great Ocean Road. Today it is run by owners Lili and Xavier, who first came as guests. It holds a gold Victorian Tourism Award and a silver Australian Tourism Award, plus a place on the Star Ratings Gold List for Victoria.
Apollo Bay is the natural midpoint of the drive. From here the Otway rainforest, Cape Otway and the waterfalls are close. The Twelve Apostles are about 90 minutes west. You come back to a villa that feels like your own beach house, with sparkling wine and chocolate waiting on arrival.
Highlights at a glance
- Only four villas, across the road from the beach
- Double spa baths in every villa
- Wood fireplaces for cool evenings
- Guest-only Koala Track behind the villas
- Award-winning, first luxury stay on the Great Ocean Road
Why Couples Love Chocolate Gannets
It gets the basics of a romantic stay right. There are only four villas, so you rarely see other guests. The beach is across the road. A private stretch of Apollo Bay sand is a minute's walk down the driveway. Each villa has a spa room with a deep double bath. In the Beachfront Villas a double-sided wood fireplace warms both the bath and the living room.
The wildlife is part of the stay. From the decks you may spot whales in season, dolphins and seals in the bay. Behind the villas, the Koala Track is a short guest-only walk of about 200 meters where koalas often sit in the trees, with honeyeaters and cockatoos overhead.
The name comes from the first owners' nickname for their daughter, who loved chocolate as much as a gannet loves fish. The owners also point out that gannets pair for life, which is a nice detail for a honeymoon.
Which Villa to Book
All four villas have two bedrooms, each with its own ensuite, so you only need one bedroom but get plenty of space.
- Beachfront Villas (two): the honeymoon pick. They have unobstructed views across the bay, a front deck with sun loungers and a timber swing, plus the double-sided fireplace between the living room and the spa room. You can lie in the bath with the fire going and the ocean in front of you.
- Luxury Villas (two): set slightly back among native trees, with partial ocean views and views over farm and bush. The spa bath sits at the far end of the villa behind bi-fold doors. They add an enclosed back deck with a Weber barbecue, which is handy for cooking dinner on mild evenings.
Both types have a king bed with a locally made mattress, a fully equipped kitchen, a Nespresso machine, ducted heating and cooling and electric blankets in winter. Book the Beachfront Villas early, since there are only two.
Food, Drink and Relaxing In
This is a self-catered stay, which suits the rhythm of a road trip. Every booking includes a breakfast hamper, sparkling wine and dark chocolate. The kitchens are well equipped with Miele appliances in the Beachfront Villas, so it is easy to cook a simple dinner with seafood or produce bought in Apollo Bay.
For nights out, the shops and restaurants of Apollo Bay are about 5 minutes away by car. Chris's Restaurant, on the hill toward Skenes Creek, is about 10 minutes away and is a long-standing choice for a special dinner with an ocean view. The Perch at Lavers Hill, about 45 minutes west, makes a good lunch stop on the way to the Twelve Apostles.
There is no spa building, but two local massage therapists can set up in your villa or on the deck. Private yoga can also be arranged. Ask when you book so they can hold a time for you.
Why guests fall for it
Things to Do Around Apollo Bay
Apollo Bay is the best base for the western half of the drive.
- Twelve Apostles: about 90 minutes west. Go at sunset, then stay in Port Campbell or drive back in daylight if you can. Check the Parks Victoria site for any visitor booking rules before you go.
- Otway waterfalls: Hopetoun, Triplet and Beauchamp Falls are around an hour away in the rainforest near Beech Forest.
- Cape Otway: the lightstation and the coastal forest road, where koalas are common in the trees.
- Beach walks: the bay in front of the villas is calm for a stroll at dawn.
- Great Ocean Walk: day sections start near Apollo Bay for couples who like hiking.
One of you might take a surf lesson in town while the other spends a slow morning with a book on the deck swing.
Getting There
Chocolate Gannets is at 6180 Great Ocean Road, about 5 minutes' drive east of Apollo Bay. You need a car for the Great Ocean Road.
Most international visitors fly into Melbourne Airport (MEL). From there the fastest route takes about 3 hours, but the classic coastal drive through Torquay, Anglesea and Lorne takes longer once you add stops. Avalon Airport (AVV), served by some domestic flights, is about 2 hours away.
The road is narrow and winding with many bends above the water. Drive on the left and take breaks. Avoid driving at dusk and after dark, when kangaroos and wallabies are on the road. Check-in is from 3 p.m. and check-out is at 10:30 a.m.
A good plan is two or three nights here, then one night near Port Campbell for sunrise at the Twelve Apostles before returning to Melbourne inland or continuing west.
Is It Worth It?
For a Great Ocean Road honeymoon, yes. Few places on this coast combine a direct beach position, a double spa bath with a wood fire and real privacy. The awards and reviews back that up. Rates are only shown in the booking engine and vary by season. As a rough guide, expect several hundred Australian dollars a night, higher in summer and on weekends. Booking direct gives the best rate and the most flexible conditions, according to the owners.
Pick elsewhere if you want a hotel with a restaurant, bar and staff on hand around the clock. This is a self-catered villa stay with friendly owners nearby. The villas sleep up to four and the property describes itself as family friendly, so you may see children in the school holidays. Couples who want to be right next to the Twelve Apostles should add a night in Port Campbell, since Apollo Bay is about 90 minutes away.
Insider tips
- Book a Beachfront Villa for the double-sided fireplace between the spa room and living room.
- Reserve Chris's Restaurant for one dinner and go at sunset for the views.
- Walk the Koala Track in the late afternoon, when the koalas are often easier to spot.
- Ask about in-villa massage when you book, since there are only two therapists.
