Located 21 klm south of Geelong, Torquay is the official gateway to the Great Ocean Road and home to some of the world’s best know beaches and surf companies.
Torquay was originally known as Spring Creek after the creek that sits to the town’s south-west, but adopted its current name from the coastal town of Torquay in Devon, England around the 1890s.
Torquay has a population of around 8000, but this can triple during the summer months as tourists flock to many campgrounds in the area to get that prime spot a short walk from the beach.
The famous beaches of Jan Juc and Bells Beach are well-known by surfers for their great waves, on a warm day you need to get up pretty early if you plan to surf here as they do get very busy. If you plan to laze around getting a tan there are plenty of good spots especially around Zealy Bay to Point Danger only a short stroll from the town center.
Attractions in the area include the Surf World Museum located behind the Surf World Shopping Plaza, where many surf brands like Rip Curl and Quicksilver also have outlet shops. Tiger moth world is also a popular attraction, not only providing aerial site seeing tours across Torquay and the Surf Coast, but also houses an adventure park and tiger moth museum.
Other things to do around Torquay are to visit one of the many wineries in the region, where you can pick up a wine to enjoy after a picnic and a bush walk. Being at the Great Ocean Road’s door step also mean’s it a great spot not only to head off on a day trip along the Great Ocean Road but also around Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsular.
Events held throughout the year include the world-famous Rip Curl Pro in Easter, the High Tide Festival in December, as well as several surf carnivals around December to February.
While bus services do run to Torquay from Geelong the best way to enjoy the area is by car, so you can take a trip down the Great Ocean Road.
