torquay is
australia’s surfing mecca
Torquay, Victoria 3228 AUSTRALIA
visit torquay to learn why bell’s beach is famous world-wide
I can already here you say… isn’t Bondi Beach Australia’s surfing mecca? Answer: no way!
Bondi is where the tourists & locals flock to on a summers day in the state of NSW near Sydney, yes there’s lots of surfing there (& fashion too) but it’s not our true spiritual home of Australian surfing. Come visit the National Surfing Museum right here in the heart of Torquay for history to prove why it has the top honours for shaping & building Australia’s surfing culture & setting our international scene.
Bells Beach on the southside unearthed the world’s greatest surfers to share their passion & ‘the search’ here in Australia. Torquay is also the birth town of world-dominating brands Rip Curl & Quicksilver as it made sense to be located where the best waves were & we have a rippa of a story to tell you about how it all happened for them since 1969 as we pass their head quarters (that you won’t see anyone working inside if there’s 6 foot waves).
Other noteable surfing locations in Australia include Margaret River over in WA (our huge state of Western Australia), hipster-trendy Byron Bay north of NSW & higher up at Noosa on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. Of course the purists will tell you where they go, we are spoilt for choice in this country!
our ‘TASTE’ sightseeing day trips from melbourne visit Torquay as it’s the official start to the Great Ocean Road as well as being an historical town in Australia’s SURFING & BEACH culture that helped shape this young nation
our country is entirely covered by ocean, with a huge coastline of ~34,000KMS
So does this make us the largest island in the world?
You’ll have to come on the best day trip ever to the great ocean road to find out this answer & many more interesting facts to compliment our beauty… IT’s not just about our good looks on tour!
Our detailed info page on Torquay is PASSWORD PROTECTED for our day trip virtual tour in other languages, please speak to your tour Guide on your tour day for access
TORQUAY attractions & things to do
WATCH THE SURFERS IN THE WAVES OF COURSE!
You may be disappointed to hear the internationally famous Bells Beach break doesn’t ALWAYS have six foot waves pumping, infact many a tourist photograph from the top stairs lookout shows a very flat background! You need to check the weather forecasts to get the timing right, which is why its ‘tools down when surfs up’ for some Aussie workers addicted to ‘the search' to get a hit whenever they can.
The other beaches along Torquay’s foreshore stretch can offer ideal conditions to surfers & paddlers, with the Surf Life Saving Club well positioned next to Rocky Point, you’ll find club day events on here where you can be a spectator watching the action for free. It’s always fun encouraging the ‘nippers’ on (young ones).
walk the coastal trail or enjoy the beach
Goes without saying at this location… admire the long views from Rocky Point then wander the Esplanade back or splash around in the calmer bay area of Front Beach. This isn’t a pretentious place, get amongst it!
wander the national surfing museum
See board & fin design changes over the years before testing how long you can stay on one. Watch a feature length film on history that you won’t fall asleep to & walk the Hall of Fame to see internationally recognised names & bell trophys of the winners of the Rip Curl Pro held here in Torquay at Bells Beach - the world leauge’s longest running surfing comp.
LEARN TO SURF - yes YOU!
If you’ve got a spare 2 hours or more for a lesson on the basics you can learn to surf right here in Oz’s spiritual home of surfing (not at Bells break of course… only the pro’s can handle that). They’ll have a wetsuit for you, just bring your enthusiasm :)
Torquay shopping & Dining
pocket a bargain at surfbrand outlets
A major benefit of being the birth-place of big surfing brands is they have ‘factory outlet’ shopping at the back doors to their head quarters & front retail Surf City Plaza where you can pick up crazy bargains (real crazy just ask me!) on items like clothes, shoes, westsuits, bathing, hats, bags, towels, snow gear & merchandise. These outlets are for seconds, discontinued, end-of-season & samples, or you can go around the front to this seasons latest ‘n greatest at the usual prices displayed in the Plaza retail shops. Head here for everything surf, skate & snow with headlining names like Oakley, Ghanda, Billabong, Patagonia, Roxy plus Rip Curl & Quicksilver of course!
brunch by the beach, or dine on top nosh
You’ll find a number of fresh, hip seaside cafes to choose from (some fab brunch options are listed on our TASTE tour meal info) & then there’s local institutions like Fisho’s for down-to-earth fish & great salads (yes i’m usually a chip person too but its all good here). Most are in easy walking distance to see where the day takes you. If your about on a Saturday morning the Farmers Market is a great place to pick-up the local wares.
boutique breweries to cofee roasters
Torquay has really grown at an alarming rate since I lived here nearly 15 years ago, the urban spread of coastal facade new homes testament to that population growth as many residents now find the half hour or so commute to work in Geelong (Victoria’s second largest city) not a problem given the other direction to Melbourne is much longer. The sleepy town has woken up a little, but still retains its roots & beach vibe. As a happening place with local artisans like craft breweries aptly named Bells Beach Brewing & Surf Coast Coffee Roasters have popped up & I can highly recommend picking up a bag of ‘Winkipop’ beans (after the surf break) when your around the outlet shops on Baines Cres.
references & photo credits; Australian Government & Visit Victoria, Torquay Life
our ‘TASTE’ sightseeing tour to the Great Ocean Road visits Torquay - its the offical start to the iconic route, as well as a key influence in shaping Australia’s surf culture
our Torquay beach visit
Most well known around the world for hosting the international Rip Curl Pro surfing competition on Bells Beach break, it all began here for inspirational mega-brands Quicksilver & Rip Curl and you’ll see their humble home as we share their remarkable story & make our way beachfront to Zeally Bay for traditional aussie biscuits all in the name of learning about our Anzacs & the heartfelt history of the Great Ocean Road legacy before we reach the Memorial Arch today.
You may spot a SUP boarder (stand-up-paddler on top of the board), surfer or young ‘gromet’, no doubt with their wetsuit on in these chilly waters!
Breathe in the ocean-fresh air as we‘re now starting our big day ahead & need all our senses ready to take in what this incredible region has to offer.