Torquay & Surf Coast Events 2026–27

A lot of people who stay with us come down for something. A surf contest at Bells, an ocean swim in Lorne, a bike race, a music festival on the Bellarine. Some just want to know what's on so they can avoid it. Fair enough.

This is our list of the events within about an hour of Torquay that are worth building a few days around, from November 2026 to October 2027. Every drive time is from Holyday House in north Torquay, on a normal day. On a big event day, add a lot.

One rule for the whole page: we only give exact dates where the organisers have announced them. Where they haven't, we say when it usually happens. Events move, get rained out or get cancelled for fire danger, so always check the official site before you lock anything in.

Late spring. Warmer days, cold water, and the wind can be rude. It's still school term, so midweek Torquay is quiet until the holidays start on 19 December.

Kids are back at school, the water's at its warmest and the town quietens down midweek. For a lot of locals, this is the good bit. Then Easter arrives and it all fills up again.

Spring brings the endurance crowd back to the coast, along with the wildflowers. The spring school holidays start on 18 September.

It's a common question. The short answer: don't count on fireworks in Torquay. Surf Coast Shire stopped funding the Torquay display in 2019, and stopped running Lorne's in 2022.

Lorne hasn't gone dark, though. The Committee for Lorne has raised money from the community to run shows off Lorne Pier in recent years, at 9:30pm and midnight for New Year's Eve 2025. Whether it happens again depends on the fundraising, so check the local news in December.

The other options are on Corio Bay. For New Year's Eve 2025, the City of Greater Geelong ran free waterfront fireworks at 9:30pm and midnight, Portarlington had a 9:30pm family display, and Queenscliff Harbour ran a ticketed party with fireworks. The 2026 programs weren't out when we checked. Geelong is about half an hour's drive, Portarlington and Queenscliff 45 minutes to an hour, and somebody has to drive home. Or skip the lot and see the new year in from the hot tub.

Most of these events pull in a crowd, and accommodation near them goes early. Lorne in Pier to Pub week is a good example. Staying in Torquay and driving in is often the easier option, as long as you leave early on the day.

Holyday House is ours, in north Torquay. It sleeps 8 in four bedrooms, which suits a relay team, a swim squad or two families splitting the driving. There's off-street parking for several cars plus room for a boat or trailer, covered storage for boards and wetsuits, and a private hot tub for legs that have just done 42 km. Dogs are welcome within reason (get in touch first), though most events are no place for them, and the backyard is fully fenced.