Summer holidays on the Surf Coast
For a lot of Victorian families, the week between Christmas and New Year means the beach house. And Torquay is one of the most popular spots on the coast for it. The days are long, the water's warming up and the beaches are patrolled. The whole town feels like it's on holiday, and that lasts until the end of January.
It's also the busiest time of year. Cafés fill up early, beach car parks fill up earlier, and the best holiday houses are booked months ahead. A bit of planning goes a long way: when to arrive, where to swim, what's open on Christmas Day, and what the fire rules mean for your barbie. Get those sorted and it's a much more relaxed holiday.
Here's the practical stuff for a Christmas or New Year stay in Torquay, from us at Holyday House.
Key dates for summer 2026–27
These are the dates that decide how busy Torquay gets. Public holidays come from the Victorian Government's 2026 list, and school dates from its term dates page.
| Friday 18 December 2026 | Last day of Term 4, and the summer school holidays start |
| Friday 25 December | Christmas Day (public holiday) |
| Saturday 26 December | Boxing Day (public holiday) |
| Monday 28 December | Extra public holiday, because Boxing Day falls on a Saturday |
| Thursday 31 December | New Year's Eve |
| Friday 1 January 2027 | New Year's Day (public holiday) |
| Tuesday 26 January | Australia Day (public holiday) |
| 27–31 January | Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race event window (expect road closures on race days) |
| Thursday 28 January | Students return for Term 1 |
Christmas is on a Friday and there's an extra public holiday on Monday 28 December, so plenty of people get a four-day Christmas weekend. Expect the roads out of Melbourne to be busy on Thursday 24 December, and again on the way home. In Torquay itself, the busiest stretch is usually from Boxing Day into the first weeks of January.
Booking a Christmas or New Year stay
If you've got your eye on a particular house for Christmas or New Year, book early. Lots of families come back to the same place every year and lock in their dates well ahead. The bigger houses usually go first.
Peak dates usually mean longer minimum stays. At Holyday House it's two to four nights depending on the dates, and the busiest summer dates are at the longer end. Pick your dates in the booking form and Steve and Karen will confirm whether they're free and what the minimum is.
Holyday House sleeps up to 8 in 4 bedrooms, with 3 bathrooms and two living areas. That suits the classic summer set-up of two families, or three generations, sharing the one house. Our group accommodation guide explains how the bedrooms split up, and the family holiday guide covers the set-up for kids.
Christmas Day at the house
Plenty of guests cook Christmas lunch themselves instead of fighting for a restaurant booking on the busiest day of the year. The house is set up for it:
Shop before the 25th. Christmas Day is a restricted trading day in Victoria, so most of the bigger shops are shut, big supermarkets included. Some places can still open (cafés, restaurants, takeaways, chemists, servos and some smaller shops), but don't count on it. Do the big shop a day or two before. Boxing Day isn't a restricted trading day, but hours jump around over the holidays, so check before you go.
Beaches and swimming
Summer is when Torquay's beaches are patrolled. Visit Great Ocean Road says volunteer lifeguards patrol Torquay on weekends and public holidays from November to April, and paid lifeguards cover weekdays from December to February. Cosy Corner has paid lifeguards on weekdays in December and January. Lifesavers are only on duty when the red and yellow flags are up. Always swim between them, and check Life Saving Victoria's Beachsafe for current patrol times.
Whites Beach, 400m from the house, is quieter and dog-friendly. It's lovely for a walk or a paddle, but check whether it's patrolled before you swim. If you want a patrolled swim with the kids, head into town. Our Torquay beaches guide lines them all up.
On hot days the beach parking in town fills up early. From the house you can just walk to Whites Beach and skip the car park hunt. Bring sunscreen and some shade. The Aussie summer sun is strong even when it doesn't feel hot.
What's on over the holidays
Christmas in the Surf Coast Shire
Surf Coast Shire Council puts on a festive program in the lead-up to Christmas. In 2025 that meant Christmas trees in the towns, community carols and "Surfy Santa" visits, including one at the Torquay Visitor Information Centre. The council's website has this year's dates.
New Year's Eve
Fireworks on the Surf Coast have come and gone over the years. Surf Coast Shire stopped funding the Torquay fireworks in 2019 and Lorne's in 2022, and lately community groups have run a display at Lorne Pier. It can change from year to year, so check the local news before you plan around it. Plenty of guests keep it quiet anyway: dinner at home, a walk to the beach, and midnight in the hot tub.
Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race
At the end of January, pro and community cycling takes over Geelong and the Surf Coast. The 2027 event window is 27–31 January, and the Surf Coast Classic finishes in Torquay. Expect road closures on race days, and a good buzz. Our Cadel Evans race guide has more.
Adventure Park Geelong
The water park at Wallington is open every day from Boxing Day to 26 January, 10am to 6pm, and that's its busiest stretch, so book ahead. Our Adventure Park guide has tickets and height rules.
The Great Ocean Road in summer
This is when the road's at its busiest. Head off early, don't go west mid-morning on public holidays, and expect queues at the popular lookouts. Our Great Ocean Road guide has day trips, and the things to do guide has things closer to home.
Fire danger and barbecues
Summer on the Surf Coast is bushfire season. The Fire Danger Period is usually in force through the warmer months, and on the worst days the CFA declares a Total Fire Ban. Know the rules before you fire up the barbie for Christmas lunch:
This is a summary, not legal advice. The CFA's "Can I or Can't I?" guide has the full rules.
Christmas & New Year FAQ
How far ahead should I book for Christmas in Torquay?
As early as you can. People often book several months ahead for Christmas to mid-January, and the bigger houses go first. If you're flexible, late January after Australia Day is a lot easier.
Is there a minimum stay over Christmas and New Year?
Yes. At Holyday House the minimum stay is two to four nights depending on the dates, and peak summer is at the longer end. Pick your dates in the booking form and we'll confirm.
Are shops open on Christmas Day in Torquay?
Mostly not. Christmas Day is a restricted trading day in Victoria, so most of the bigger shops, supermarkets included, are shut. Some cafés, takeaways, chemists, servos and small shops may open. Do your shopping beforehand.
Are there New Year's Eve fireworks in Torquay?
We can't promise any. Council stopped funding Torquay's fireworks in 2019, and lately community groups have run a display at Lorne Pier. Check the local news closer to the date.
Are Torquay's beaches patrolled over Christmas?
Yes. Torquay has lifeguards through summer: paid ones on weekdays from December to February, and volunteers on weekends and public holidays. Swim between the red and yellow flags, and check Beachsafe for times.
Can I use the barbecue on a Total Fire Ban day?
Solid-fuel barbecues are banned. Gas barbecues are only allowed if you meet the CFA's conditions: a 3-metre clear area, water on hand, and an adult there the whole time. The CFA has the full rules.
Thinking about summer on the Surf Coast? Check dates and send an enquiry to Steve and Karen. Wondering how summer stacks up against the rest of the year? Have a look at our best time to visit Torquay guide. And for what's on, the Torquay events guide has the summer calendar, and the Lorne Pier to Pub guide covers Lorne's big January swim.
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these sources on 13 October 2026. Opening hours, patrols, rules and closures change — check with the source before you go.
- School term dates and holidays in Victoria — Victorian Government
- Victorian public holidays 2026 — Business Victoria
- Operating on a public holiday (restricted trading days) — Business Victoria
- Patrolled beaches — Visit Great Ocean Road
- Can I or Can't I? — CFA
- Total fire bans and ratings — CFA
- Council to no longer stage New Year's Eve fireworks in Lorne — Surf Coast Shire
- Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race — Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race