The allure of Torquay is undeniable, especially since it offers beaches, hiking, romance, and museums and attractions.
In addition to the surfing hype, Torquay provides an access point to the Great Ocean Road, the most famous scenic drive of the region. At 243 kilometers long, the road was built by returning soldiers after World War I in dedication to those who were lost. It is the world's largest war memorial, and winds through varying coastal terrain past several landmarks including a number of lighthouses, state and national parks, beaches, lookouts, and unique rock formations like the 12 Apostles.
The town itself, however, is best known for the surf beaches that surround it. Bells Beach in particular draws the crowds with the Rip Curl Easter Pro contest mentioned above, where surfers tackle waves up to five meters tall. The two day festival also features some of Australia's best musical talent, while other events take the stage the remainder of the year. Some of these include smaller surfing events, as well as the Australian Strongman Triathlon in February, and the High Tide Festival in December.
Winkipop beach also provides some fierce surf, while Jan Juc is cliff-lined with smaller waves. Other popular spots include the clothing optional Point Impossible or Southside beaches, as well as the family friendly Torquay Front Beach and the less sheltered Torquay Back Beach.
For the intermediate to advanced surfers, the best time to tackle the waves on Bells Beach and other popular surf spots is from March to October. Some beaches cater more to swimming and sunbathing, while other favorite pastimes of the town include activities like sailing, diving, fishing, and windsurfing.
Surfing enthusiast's might also want to visit Torquay's Australian National Surfing Museum, which commemorates Australian surfers and their achievements and showcases Australia's deeply ingrained surf culture through exhibitions and memorabilia. The museum also houses the Australian Surfing Hall of Fame, which includes a display of surfboards ridden by surfing legends with facts about their careers and surfing milestones.
Other activities include golfing, an assortment of tours, kayaking and canoeing, bike/motorbike rentals, and adrenaline sports like skydiving, amongst others.
Beaches:
Numerous beach lovers choose Torquay as their destination for unwinding. The town is along the Great Ocean Road, and there are a huge number of beaches that are popular for surfing. There are also nudist beaches as well as family-friendly areas. The most convenient beach is Torquay Surf Beach, which is popular with surfers. For calmer water, check out Torquay Front Beach, and for the most iconic surfing beach in the area, visit Bells Beach.
Hiking:
The hiking experiences around Torquay are quite exceptional. There are many coastal walks in the area that range from a few hours to several days. One of the more well known ones is the Surf Coast Walk, which goes on for days and passes by stunning viewpoints and beautiful landscapes.
A nice way to explore destinations in Torquay is with local tours that last just a few hours. This way you can see as much as possible in an efficient way with knowledgable guides. Prices vary by the type of activity or tour, the dates, and the size of the group. Here are a few of the highest rated tours by previous visitors:
- Morning Farm Experience in Queensland for $56 details
- Full Day Hervey Bay Premium Whale Watching Cruise for $120 details
- Hervey Bay Whale Watching Experience for $90 details