Torquay

Torquay is the gateway to the famous Great Ocean Road and home to some of Australia’s most prolific surfing culture. Once a sleepy seaside resort, it attracts surfers from all over the world today, also serving as the birthplace of popular surf brands Rip Curl and Quiksilver.

Within Torquay lies the Surf World Museum, also known as the Australian National Surfing Museum. It chronicles the growth of surf culture all over the world as well as in Australia. Visitors can learn all about surfboard history, variety as well as surfing heroes over the years. The museum can be found at Surf City Plaza, where surfing enthusiasts can buy all sorts of surfing equipment and products associated with the unique lifestyle and culture around surfing. Down the road towards the coast lies an array of beaches where beachgoers can get their fix of sun, sand and then the sea. Surfers will be thrilled with Jan Juc Beach and Bells Beach, the latter being the site of the famous Rip Curl Pro, a surfing competition part of the World Surfing League Tour. Non-surfers can still enjoy the beauty of the coastline through the 30-kilometre Surf Coast Walk, where they will come across the varied landscapes of the Australian coast. The Front Beach and Back Beach also offer travellers many opportunities to bask in the sun and admire the scenery. The walk along the Esplanade from Point Impossible to Point Danger is the best way to explore all the beaches in Torquay, culminating in the scenic Jan Juc lookout. Along the way lies the unique sundial of Torquay, represented in a colourful mosaic that showcases the spirit of the town.