This rotary drive apparatus is arranged to cause incoming light coming from a light source to be emitted to an outside while changing the direction of the incoming light, and includes a motor including a hollow shaft arranged to extend along a central axis extending in a vertical direction, the hollow shaft including a through hole arranged to pass therethrough in an axial direction; a flywheel including at least one optical component arranged to reflect the incoming light or allow the incoming light to pass therethrough; and a laser module including the light source. At least a portion of the laser module is arranged below the base portion arranged to directly or indirectly support a stator. The through hole defines a light path along which the incoming light travels.