Coastal walks: Walking is the best way to get a close look at the some of the Surfcoast’s brilliant natural features. The Surfcoast Walk is an established track stretching more than 35km from Jan Juc, near Torquay, to Moggs Creek, past Anglesea. It brims with fantastic coastal views from atop the high cliffs, dense forest, colourful heath, and native birds — many rare and endangered — and kangaroos. You don’t have to tackle the whole length to appreciate the best of the coast because there are shorter walks within the total distance.

Some of the most rewarding are in the Ironbark Basin between Bells Beach and Point Addis. Access is via the Point Addis Road, off the Great Ocean Road.

The 5km (return) Ironbark Track is a spur that runs off the Surfcoast Walk, taking visitors through dense forest to the coast where the reward is a special view of the Point Addis coastline from established lookouts.

The Jarosite Track, also 5km return, passes the old jarosite mine, while the 1km Nature Trail is a quick way gain an appreciation of the area. There is also a Koori Walk offering an insight into the traditional use of plants for food and medicine.

Torquay is 8 km. north-east of Bells Beach, and the coast line in this region has numerous surfing locations. The Bells Beach Easter Surfing Festival was first held in 1961, and Torquay has become the commercial centre for surfing along the coastline. The manufacture of wetsuits, surfboards and related accessories is Torquay's main source of employment. As some of the best surfing conditions occur in Spring and Autumn, TorquaRip Curl Pro and Sunsmart Surfing Classic, Bells Beach and Offshore Festivals are major events y's economy is not solely reliant on Summer holiday-makers.

Immediately beyond the Torquay Golf Club is Jan Juc, and for planning and statistical purposes Torquay and Jan Juc are treated as a unit. The residential area of Jan Juc began in the mid 1960s, and its growth quickened in the 1980s. Consequently the population in Torquay in the 1990s was relatively aged, compared with the young families attracted to Jan Juc and the housing areas at Torquay West and Wombah Park. Many older people reside in flats or units, which comprise over 20% of Torquay's dwellings. About 40% of Torquay's dwellings are holiday homes.

How to get there: Torquay is located 95km south west of Melbourne. Travel by car via the Geelong-Surf Coast Highway. Daily rail services are available from Melbourne to Geelong. Local bus services are available from Geelong.