Torquay

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

Torquay is a popular holiday destination among the Aussies, particularly on weekends. The English-styled beaches with shaded patches of trees offer great spots for some quiet basking during the day. Hiking trails and concrete paths along the coastline, with esplanades spreading out onto the ocean, are nice to explore in the mornings or at dusk. Don't miss out on some quiet spots for some leisurely fishing as well!

Away from the shores, there are several restaurants, cafes, and shops to explore, primarily clustered along Pearl Street and Gilbert Street. It would also be quite hard to miss the large number of surf shops selling a variety of surfing boards, gear and souvenirs along the main highway that runs through Torquay.