Victoria’s coastline may seem an understated setting for an Aussie coastal road trip, but with the beautiful expanse that is the Great Ocean Road and all of its many fascinating natural attractions along the way (think the Otways, The Twelve Apostles, and some of the world’s best surfing beaches), it’s still a must-add to any Australian bucket list.
This 243km stretch of coastal highway kicks off at Torquay and ends at Allansford – for those who are embarking on the trip from east to west. And although you may be rearing to hit the Great Ocean Road, we strongly recommend you take a day or two to enjoy all that Torquay has to offer first.
So what’s there to see and do in Torquay?
Get some R&R before your road trip
The Great Ocean Road is a bit of a trek, especially if you’re planning to stop at every township, beach, and hiking trail you’ll find across the way. So if you are keen on doing absolutely everything available to you on your trek across the Great Ocean Road, you’ll definitely enjoy a little rest and relaxation at Torquay before you head out.
Thankfully, there are a good handful of luxury hotels in Torquay where you can enjoy a nice dip in a freshwater pool, a little spa day, and a gourmet meal or two. With waterfront views and all these on-site amenities, a night or two in Torquay can provide just the right amount of pampering you need to really embrace all the adventure activities that await you on the Great Ocean Road (i.e. treetop canopy walks, surfing, coastal hiking trails, and much more).
Catch a wave or two at Bells Beach
Another great reason to book accommodation in Torquay that provides access to wellness facilities is that you will definitely want a mineral soak and a nice massage after a morning of surfing out at Bells Beach. A world-renowned surfing spot, Bells Beach is an iconic coastline that’s just a quick drive from Torquay and Jan Juc.
The surf is so consistently good at Bells Beach because the literal shape of the cove is perfect for capturing swells from the Southern Ocean. The combination of the cove’s solid shoaling rock reef base and storm activity creating larger Southern Ocean swells means that larger waves can form and roll straight through Bells Beach Cove uninterrupted. You can read up more on the mechanics of Bells Beach at Surfline, plus plenty of local Torquay residents will likely share precisely this info with you as well if you were to strike up a conversation with them at Torquay’s own surf coast.
Pro tip: if you are thinking of surfing at Bells Beach during your stay but are relatively new to surfing, a few quick lessons at the Torquay Surf Club should help provide you with the steady legs and discerning eye you need to capture and ride all the best waves.
Play a few rounds of golf at Torquay Golf Club
Surfing isn’t your thing? If you’re more of a fan of terrestrial sports, then you’re sure to enjoy being on the green at Torquay Golf Club. Offering a fantastic course with great ocean views, the Torquay Golf Club is arguably among Victoria’s most aesthetic alongside being pretty challenging, and thus a good experience for any skilled linksmen.
Featuring open Santa Ana Couch fairways and four different tee positions suited to different skill levels, you can expect to have a great day out on the course, with plenty of opportunities to work on your game. Though we do recommend booking your tee off time early, because this course is popular with both locals and Torquay tourists alike.
Sample some freshly caught seafood
After a big day of surfing and/or golfing, you’ll naturally want to wind down your day with a freshly cooked meal. Thankfully, in Torquay you will most definitely be spoiled for choice.
Being a coastal township, Torquay boasts some fantastic freshly caught seafood, which you should be able to sample at restaurants and eateries all along The Esplanade and Bell Street, mainly. Some standout eateries include Doc Hughes for breakfast, brunch, dinner, and anytime you just want to sample some fresh Kilpatrick oysters, and the seafood platter, seafood linguine, or the fish of the day at Bomboras.
There are plenty of other restaurants, pubs, and cafes that serve freshly caught seafood as well as local artisanal products like local cheeses, jams, and breads that are sure to have you starting the day feeling nourished and ready to head out into the surf or onto the green all over again.
Enjoy a tipple at Bells Beach Brewing
Finally, alongside exploring all of Torquay’s other great eateries and pubs, you simply cannot complete any trip to this coastal township without spending at least one evening sampling all of the local craft beers and ciders at Bells Beach Brewing.
There’s a great diversity in the flavours of the Surf Coast Shire, and any fans of craft beer are sure to enjoy being able to sample them all and pick up on all the more subtle local influences. You have not lived until you’ve tried an oyster IPA – though be warned, that this fascinating umami beverage does indeed include oysters and even oyster shells, so it’s definitely not seafood allergy-friendly.
Bells Beach Brewing also has plenty on offer in their bottle-o, so you can feel free to take a few tinnies with you to enjoy across every campsite you set up along the Great Ocean Road. But there’s just something about a good craft beer on a warm evening in Torquay with a slight coastal breeze. It’s always a nice way to end the day.
Start planning your coastal escape to Torquay, Victoria
If you’ve already explored Victoria’s southeastern coastline and all of its many riches, then the Great Ocean Road really should be next on your list – and there’s no better place to start than in the inviting, little beachside town of Torquay.
Whether you’re planning to spend just a day or two in Torquay or are looking to enjoy a few days of luxury coastal living before you set out on the open road, this little list of what to see and do will definitely help make sure your time in Torquay is enriching. So be sure to keep these suggestions in mind as you map out your trip itinerary!
Victoria’s coastline may seem an understated setting for an Aussie coastal road trip, but with the beautiful expanse that is the Great Ocean Road and all of its many fascinating natural attractions along the way (think the Otways, The Twelve Apostles, and some of the world’s best surfing beaches), it’s still a must-add to any Australian bucket list.
This 243km stretch of coastal highway kicks off at Torquay and ends at Allansford – for those who are embarking on the trip from east to west. And although you may be rearing to hit the Great Ocean Road, we strongly recommend you take a day or two to enjoy all that Torquay has to offer first.
So what’s there to see and do in Torquay?
Get some R&R before your road trip
The Great Ocean Road is a bit of a trek, especially if you’re planning to stop at every township, beach, and hiking trail you’ll find across the way. So if you are keen on doing absolutely everything available to you on your trek across the Great Ocean Road, you’ll definitely enjoy a little rest and relaxation at Torquay before you head out.
Thankfully, there are a good handful of luxury hotels in Torquay where you can enjoy a nice dip in a freshwater pool, a little spa day, and a gourmet meal or two. With waterfront views and all these on-site amenities, a night or two in Torquay can provide just the right amount of pampering you need to really embrace all the adventure activities that await you on the Great Ocean Road (i.e. treetop canopy walks, surfing, coastal hiking trails, and much more).
Catch a wave or two at Bells Beach
Another great reason to book accommodation in Torquay that provides access to wellness facilities is that you will definitely want a mineral soak and a nice massage after a morning of surfing out at Bells Beach. A world-renowned surfing spot, Bells Beach is an iconic coastline that’s just a quick drive from Torquay and Jan Juc.
The surf is so consistently good at Bells Beach because the literal shape of the cove is perfect for capturing swells from the Southern Ocean. The combination of the cove’s solid shoaling rock reef base and storm activity creating larger Southern Ocean swells means that larger waves can form and roll straight through Bells Beach Cove uninterrupted. You can read up more on the mechanics of Bells Beach at Surfline, plus plenty of local Torquay residents will likely share precisely this info with you as well if you were to strike up a conversation with them at Torquay’s own surf coast.
Pro tip: if you are thinking of surfing at Bells Beach during your stay but are relatively new to surfing, a few quick lessons at the Torquay Surf Club should help provide you with the steady legs and discerning eye you need to capture and ride all the best waves.
Play a few rounds of golf at Torquay Golf Club
Surfing isn’t your thing? If you’re more of a fan of terrestrial sports, then you’re sure to enjoy being on the green at Torquay Golf Club. Offering a fantastic course with great ocean views, the Torquay Golf Club is arguably among Victoria’s most aesthetic alongside being pretty challenging, and thus a good experience for any skilled linksmen.
Featuring open Santa Ana Couch fairways and four different tee positions suited to different skill levels, you can expect to have a great day out on the course, with plenty of opportunities to work on your game. Though we do recommend booking your tee off time early, because this course is popular with both locals and Torquay tourists alike.
Sample some freshly caught seafood
After a big day of surfing and/or golfing, you’ll naturally want to wind down your day with a freshly cooked meal. Thankfully, in Torquay you will most definitely be spoiled for choice.
Being a coastal township, Torquay boasts some fantastic freshly caught seafood, which you should be able to sample at restaurants and eateries all along The Esplanade and Bell Street, mainly. Some standout eateries include Doc Hughes for breakfast, brunch, dinner, and anytime you just want to sample some fresh Kilpatrick oysters, and the seafood platter, seafood linguine, or the fish of the day at Bomboras.
There are plenty of other restaurants, pubs, and cafes that serve freshly caught seafood as well as local artisanal products like local cheeses, jams, and breads that are sure to have you starting the day feeling nourished and ready to head out into the surf or onto the green all over again.
Enjoy a tipple at Bells Beach Brewing
Finally, alongside exploring all of Torquay’s other great eateries and pubs, you simply cannot complete any trip to this coastal township without spending at least one evening sampling all of the local craft beers and ciders at Bells Beach Brewing.
There’s a great diversity in the flavours of the Surf Coast Shire, and any fans of craft beer are sure to enjoy being able to sample them all and pick up on all the more subtle local influences. You have not lived until you’ve tried an oyster IPA – though be warned, that this fascinating umami beverage does indeed include oysters and even oyster shells, so it’s definitely not seafood allergy-friendly.
Bells Beach Brewing also has plenty on offer in their bottle-o, so you can feel free to take a few tinnies with you to enjoy across every campsite you set up along the Great Ocean Road. But there’s just something about a good craft beer on a warm evening in Torquay with a slight coastal breeze. It’s always a nice way to end the day.
Start planning your coastal escape to Torquay, Victoria
If you’ve already explored Victoria’s southeastern coastline and all of its many riches, then the Great Ocean Road really should be next on your list – and there’s no better place to start than in the inviting, little beachside town of Torquay.
Whether you’re planning to spend just a day or two in Torquay or are looking to enjoy a few days of luxury coastal living before you set out on the open road, this little list of what to see and do will definitely help make sure your time in Torquay is enriching. So be sure to keep these suggestions in mind as you map out your trip itinerary!
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