Some of the biggest names in surfwear and accessories are headquartered here, with huge retail outlets at Surf City Plaza selling everything imaginable connected with the genre. The Surfworld Museum captures the spirit of the popular pursuit in words, pictures and hands-on displays.

Torquay has the best of both worlds with its beaches — protected family beaches, plus the action of the surging surf. Nearby Jan Juc is a little ‘wilder’. Bells Beach is next stop on the coast where the big swells are definitely for experienced surfers. Just a short drive away, Point Addis provides breathtaking views out to sea and back to the gently arching bay from high up on the point. All around here the dense bush and towering yellow cliffs contrast with the ocean’s wide blue expanse right through to Anglesea and beyond.

Surfcoast attractions: Victoria’s mighty Surfcoast can claim one of the world’s most famous beaches — Bells Beach — renowned as a world surf title venue. It is just one of many surf beaches and coastal resort towns dotted along this spectacular sweep of coastline — stretching from Torquay through to Lorne — where thousands flock to relax and enjoy the sun, sand and surf.

While they are at their busiest in the hot summer months, these ‘surf cities’ are year-round holiday destinations offering more than just some of the world’s best beaches. There are great walks, the character of the towns themselves, shops, eateries and excellent accommodation, among other things, that make them holiday Meccas.

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.

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.

Things to do: wander the hallowed sand of the world-famous Bells Beach surfing venue.
browse Torquay’s excellent surf shops for some of the latest clothing and other surf accessories learn more about the surfing genre at Torquay’s Surfworld Museum
explore potteries, galleries and craft shops try the unique cafes and restaurants, some with colourful surfing décor, serving local produce take to the air in a Tiger Moth for spectacular Great Ocean Road views tell the time at the huge colourful sundial on Torquay’s foreshore
Events:

Rip Curl Pro and Sunsmart Surfing Classic, Bells Beach and Offshore Festival — April
High Tide Festival — December

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, Torquay'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.

In 1986 the median house price in Torquay was $76,000 (Jan Juc, $66,900) and in 1996 it was $126,000 (Jan Juc, $115,000).

Torquay's census populations have been 55 (1891), 221 (1911), 440 (1947), 961 (1954), 1,924 (1971) and 4,887 (1991). The figures for 1991 included the Jan Juc population. An estimate for 1986 was 2,892 for Torquay and 1,192 for Jan Juc.