Torquay Travel Guide

  Entering the Great Ocean Road
by Wojtek_R
 
  • Entering the Great Ocean Road
      Entering the Great Ocean Road
    by Wojtek_R
  • One of many beach locations in Torquay
      One of many beach locations in Torquay
    by ahouse2003
  • Bells Beach
      Bells Beach
    by ahouse2003
  • Surfer
      Surfer
    by ahouse2003
  •   Torquay
    by Eszter
 

Pro

Zanzibargirl profile photo

 Surfwear, surfing, and surfmuseum 


Con

hubba78 profile photo

 main beaches are crowded in summer 


In a nutshell

OZebomate profile photo

 this aint Torquay, England mate 

 

Explore Torquay

Things to Do  

Bells Beach

Bells Beach, Torquay

 ahouse2003 Says:  Bells Beach is a beautiful stretch of coastline near Torquay that is very popular among the surf community. The main break is known as the Bells Bowl or Bowl section. It is a point break and works through all tides depending on the size of the swell. It is also the home of... 

Great Ocean Road

Great Ocean Road, Torquay

 SailorRoar Says:  Go west from Torquay along the Great Ocean Road. Where you can experience some great scenes like, London Bridge, The Arch and the Twelve Apostles (or eleven since one of them collapsed a few years ago, actually if you look picture from the apostles, the closest one is the... 

Surf museum in Torquay

Surf museum in Torquay, Torquay

 SailorRoar Says:  Torquay has one of the few surfing museums in the world, if you are into surfing this is a must go... 

Activities other than surfing...

Activities other than surfing..., Torquay

 Kate-Me Says:  Besides surfing and checking out the beaches at Torquay and Bells Beach, you could also visit some of the many Surf shop outlets, like Ripcurl (pictured) 

Great Ocean Road

Great Ocean Road, Torquay

 aserafica Says:  Of course, aside from surfing, this area is world famous for its rugged and breathtaking scenery. People from all over the world come here to see the Twelve Apostles and whats left of the London Bridge plus the creatures that dwell around here aside from sunworshippers-the... 

Do absolutely nothing or do everything

Do absolutely nothing or do everything, Torquay

 aserafica Says:  Here, I choose to do nothing. You know, walk the dogs, play a bit of ball, go to a cafe, swim a little. Many come here for the surf and this is what Torquay is famous for. After all this is the Surf Coast. Hmm, maybe I should take up surfing. Oops, I dozed off again. 

Bell's Beach

Bell's Beach, Torquay

 tigerjapan Says:  Bell's Beach, famous for its world-renowned Easter Surfing Classic, is located near Torquay on the southern coast of Victoria, 71 km south-west of Melbourne. Bell's Beach is essentially rather small bay situated between two equally unremarkable headlands. It is the swells... 

Bells Beach

Bells Beach, Torquay

 Zanzibargirl Says:  Bells Beach is one of Australia's surfing icons and must see's. Famous for a world renowned surfing classic that sees the likes of Kelly Slater, Mark Richards and more come to carve it up each easter ever since 1962.Named after the family that took up the first pastoral run... 

Hotels  

Bells Beach Backpackers

 1 Review and 0 Opinions  I have not stayed there, but driven past many times. The name is deceptive - it is located on the... 

Hotels  

Lous house: Best accommodation in town

Lous house: Best accommodation in town, Torquay

 aserafica Says:  Nothing beats staying in a good friends house. The best company in the coast. The laughter and tears that's shared are extra. Bring the wine and conversation. Dogs are welcome too and kids and..... 

Restaurants  

Moby's: Easy brunch
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2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

aserafica 29 reviews
Just wander down the esplanade after your  morning

Another laid back brunch cafe on the esplanade. Menu is very limited but very reasonable. from $6.00. $9.00 mains. Small portions but with these prices, just double your order and you you still have money for coffee. And the coffee is great here.

Favorite Dish: Big Breakfast.

Written Nov 18, 2005

Address: Esplanade, Torquay

Related to:
 Family Travel
 Beaches
 Surfing

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Nightlife  

Growlers: Laid back happy hour
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2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

aserafica 29 reviews
Growlers popular veranda by the sea

Uncomplicated bar by the sea. Happy hour with hot finger food. Cold beer on tap plus a play area for the ankle biters to run amok. You will meet the locals here. Owned by Nikki Buckley of 'Sale of the Century' fame.

Fridays-Sundays Brerakfast/Lunch 9am to 3 pm

Dinner 6-10 pm

Dress Code: strictly casual.

Written Nov 18, 2005

Address: Esplanade, Torquay

Phone: 03-52648455

Related to:
 Beaches
 School Holidays
 Family Travel

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Transportation  

Easy to drive to hard by public transport

Easy to drive to hard by public transport, Torquay

 aserafica Says:  To get out of Melbourne, take West Gate Bridge, follow M1, then follow signs to Geelong(Princes Freeway). This takes about an hour (70 kms south west of Melbourne). Once you reach Geelong, follow signs to Torquay (turn left at Torquay Rd) which is another 22 kilometres from... 

Vline Bus Service to Torquay

Vline Bus Service to Torquay, Torquay

 hubba78 Says:  Bus is the only form of public transport available, unless you want to pay $30 for a taxi from Geelong. The bus leaves from the Geelong train station, makes several stops in Geelong before heading on to Torquay. It continues on to other popular coastal towns on the Great... 

Shopping  

Surf City Plaza: Where to get ready for the waves

Surf City Plaza: Where to get ready for the waves, Torquay

 Zanzibargirl Says:  With names like Quiksilver, Rip Curl and more being famous from this home ground turf and a nearby wave to catch at Bells, Torquay is famous for surfwear. If you want to get into some of the hottest brands of surfwear clothing, grab a board and get ready for a wave this is... 

Several surf gear shops: Shopping in Surf City

Several surf gear shops: Shopping in Surf City, Torquay

 SailorRoar Says:  In the centre of Torquay you will find a cluster of shops selling surf gear, called Surf City. The big ones are all here: Rip Curl, Billabong and Quicksilver 

Rip Curl, Quicksilver outlets + full price stores: Surf Shop Outlets

Rip Curl, Quicksilver outlets + full price stores: Surf Shop Outlets, Torquay

 thebestusernameever Says:  Get label gear at discount prices. Great for bargain hunters. Make sure you visit all the outlets though including the ones across the main highway. Discounted surf gear, t-shirts, hoodies, jeans etc. $20- $100 

Off The Beaten Path  

cape otway national park
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3.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

OZebomate 13 reviews
parker river
1 more image

Cape otway is just past apollo bay and is about 3 hrs from Melbourne. It has a lighthouse and plenty of camp sites/bush walks. The areas forest are pretty lush and ate sort of like temperate rainforests............ Blanket bay is a good campsite where you can fish, snorkel, kayak etc. It is especially good for kids, as it is really the only calm/protected beach on this rugged coastline (just dont stand on any stingrays!) The waters here are famous for crayfish namely crayfish bay (its name has caused its demise i think) so get a fishing license and try your luck. You can dive for them on calm days (pretty rare) or rough days if you are crazy

Updated Nov 6, 2005

Related to:
 Camping
 Beer Tasting
 Jungle and Rain Forest

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Sports & Outdoors  

Bells Beach

Bells Beach, Torquay

 SailorRoar Says:  Just outside of Torquay you will find one of the most epic surf beaches in the world. You may have heard of Bells Beach, home to the World Champonship Surfing event Rip Curl Pro, which are held around easter. Surfboard, wax, wetsuit, etc... 

Surf anywhere & Everywhere

Surf anywhere & Everywhere, Torquay

 hubba78 Says:  Beginners can learn to surf on the main beach with local surf schools and experts can ride with the pros down on Bells Beach in Easter.Windsurfing is popular on Fisherman's Beach. During summer, surf equipment can be hired on the main beaches. In the colder months you have... 

Favorites  

Aboriginal painted art
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Kate-Me 1683 reviews
1 more image

Favorite thing: Since there was not a wave to be seen at Bells Beach, I turned my attention to the carpark, where this beautiful mural on the toilet block caught my eye.... The 2nd photo is a close up so you can appreciate some of the detail.

Written Aug 21, 2006

Related to:
 Road Trip
 Beaches
 Surfing

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Map of Torquay