No train station, but you can still get here
Torquay doesn't have a train station. That's the first thing to know. The trains stop in Geelong and at Marshall, on Geelong's southern edge, and from there it's a bus down the Surf Coast Highway. It works fine. It just takes a bit of planning, especially on weekends and if you're flying in.
This page lays out the real connections: from Melbourne's CBD, from Melbourne Airport, from Avalon Airport and from the Mornington Peninsula. Then there's how to get around once you're here, and a short bit on driving down (including charging an EV at the house). Timetables change a few times a year, so treat the times here as a guide and check the live timetable before you travel.
From Melbourne CBD by train and bus
Start at Southern Cross Station and catch a V/Line Geelong line train. It's roughly an hour to an hour and a quarter to Geelong, depending on the service. Most trains carry on to South Geelong, and some go further to Marshall and Waurn Ponds. Which station you get off at decides which bus you catch.
Route 53 from Geelong Station
The simplest option. Route 53 leaves Geelong Station (Bay 4) and runs down Torquay Road and the Surf Coast Highway to Bell Street in the middle of Torquay. It takes about 45 to 50 minutes. On weekdays there's a bus roughly every half hour through the day. Weekends are thinner, more like every 30 to 60 minutes, and Sunday starts later.
Route 54 from Marshall Station
If your train goes through to Marshall, Route 54 runs from there to Bell Street, Torquay, in about 45 minutes. It's roughly hourly on weekdays with a few gaps, and there are fewer trips on Saturday and Sunday. Most buses are timed to meet trains at Marshall.
Route 52 from Marshall to Jan Juc
Route 52 also starts at Marshall, then loops through Torquay and Jan Juc. Handy if you're heading to the Jan Juc side of town. Less so for us at the north end.
The Great Ocean Road coach
V/Line runs coaches from Geelong along the Great Ocean Road towards Lorne and Apollo Bay, and they stop in Torquay on the way. They're timed to meet Geelong line trains. There are far fewer of these than local buses, so they're more useful for heading further along the coast than for getting to Torquay.
The local buses and V/Line trains use myki. The Torquay routes (52, 53 and 54) got new timetables from 23 August 2026, so ignore anything older you find online. On public holidays they run to a Saturday timetable, except Christmas Day and Good Friday, which run to Sunday's. Check the Transport Victoria journey planner or McHarry's (the operator) for current times before you go.
Flying in
From Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine)
There's no direct public transport to Torquay. The usual way is the Gull Airport Service coach to Geelong, then a local bus. Gull picks up on the ground level in front of Terminal 3 (Virgin), at the shelter signed "Gull Geelong". It runs every day except Christmas Day, with up to 170 services a week. In Geelong it stops at Geelong Railway Station (Bay 7) and at Gull's office at 45 McKillop Street. When we checked in October 2026, the adult fare was $39 one way or $72 return. Book online, and check before you go. From Geelong Station, jump on Route 53 to Torquay.
From Avalon Airport
Avalon is closer, but the public options don't head our way. SkyBus from Avalon only goes to Melbourne CBD and Werribee, and Route 18 runs to Lara Station. For the Surf Coast, the airport points you to MyBus Airport Transfers, a door-to-door shuttle covering Geelong, the Bellarine and the Surf Coast. Bookings are essential, at least two business days before your flight. Their phone is 1300 169 287, Monday to Friday during business hours.
What we'd do
If there are a few of you and lots of luggage, honestly, pick up a hire car at the airport. Melbourne and Avalon both have the big rental companies. If it's one or two of you travelling light, Gull and the 53 do the job, as long as your flight lands in daylight hours and not too late on a weekend.
From the Mornington Peninsula: the ferry
Coming from the peninsula or Melbourne's south-east? Searoad's car ferry crosses from Sorrento to Queenscliff in about 40 minutes and saves you the drive back around through the city. It runs every day of the year. Cars, foot passengers and bikes all go across, and Searoad says pets are welcome too.
Buy tickets online and check the live timetable on the Searoad site. They ask vehicles to be there 40 minutes before departure and foot passengers 20 minutes before. The timetable thins out at times for maintenance, so don't assume a sailing every hour. From Queenscliff it's a drive across the Bellarine and down to Torquay; allow about an hour. On foot it's a long way round by bus via Geelong, so the ferry really suits people with a car. For the crossing, terminals and things to do ashore, see our Queenscliff ferry day-trip guide.
Taxis, rideshare and getting around Torquay
Taxis and rideshare do work down here, but this isn't the city. Don't count on a car turning up in two minutes, particularly early in the morning or late at night. If you've got a flight or train to catch, book ahead.
The buses finish at Bell Street, in the middle of town. Holyday House is up the quieter north end, so you'll probably want a taxi or a lift for the last leg, especially with bags. The Transport Victoria journey planner will show you the closest stop to the house for your trip.
On foot from the house
Whites Beach is 400m away, about 5 minutes' walk, and the Surf Coast Walk heads off along the coast from there. Town is about a 25-minute walk along the foreshore from Whites. Fine for a coffee run. Less fun carrying the week's groceries.
Day trips without a car
The V/Line Great Ocean Road coach can take you on to Anglesea, Lorne and Apollo Bay, but there aren't many services, so check the return times before you go. If the road's closed, coaches can be sent inland and skip stops. In January 2026 the Apollo Bay service skipped Kennett River and Wye River during a closure.
Driving down
If you are bringing the car, it's 75 to 90 minutes from Melbourne. Take the Princes Freeway to Geelong, go around the ring road and down the Surf Coast Highway into Torquay. Friday arvo and the start of school holidays add time, so leave a bit early. The house has off-street parking for multiple vehicles, plus room for a boat or trailer.
Charging an EV at the house
You're welcome to charge from the outdoor 10A power point. You'll need a cord of 15m or more to reach it. If you haven't got one, ask us and we can provide a long-corded 10A charger. It's a slow charge, so think overnight top-up rather than a quick fill.
Public chargers nearby
Surf Coast Shire runs public chargers on the Chargefox network. In Torquay there's a 22 kW charger at the council office, 1 Merrijig Drive. Further down the coast there are council chargers at the Anglesea Community Hub, the Aireys Inlet Community Hall and the Lorne Visitor Information Centre, plus one at Winchelsea for the inland run home. When we checked, the faster 50 kW sites charged an idle fee if you stayed plugged in after you'd finished. Prices and availability change, so check the Chargefox app or PlugShare before you rely on one.
Getting to Torquay FAQ
Is there a train to Torquay?
No. Take a V/Line train from Southern Cross to Geelong or Marshall, then Route 53 (from Geelong Station) or Route 54 (from Marshall) to Bell Street, Torquay. The bus takes about 45 to 50 minutes.
How do I get from Melbourne Airport to Torquay?
Catch the Gull Airport Service from outside Terminal 3 to Geelong Railway Station, then Route 53 to Torquay. Or hire a car at the airport and drive. Check Gull's site for current fares and times.
Is there a bus from Avalon Airport to Torquay?
Not a scheduled one. SkyBus from Avalon goes to Melbourne and Werribee. For the Surf Coast, book MyBus Airport Transfers at least two business days before you fly.
Do the buses run on weekends?
Yes, but less often. Expect a bus every 30 to 60 minutes on Route 53, fewer on Route 54, and a later start on Sundays. Check the current timetable before you go.
Can I charge my EV at Holyday House?
Yes, from the outdoor 10A power point. Bring a 15m or longer cord, or ask us for our long-corded 10A charger. There's also a council charger at 1 Merrijig Drive in Torquay.
Can I manage a stay without a car?
For a beach-and-coffee kind of stay, yes. The beach is 400m away and town is a walk along the foreshore. For day trips along the Great Ocean Road, a car makes life a lot easier.
Planning the trip down from the city? Our weekend getaway from Melbourne guide has ideas for your first couple of days. Once you're here, Whites Beach is the easy walk, the Surf Coast Walk is the longer one, and our 3-day Great Ocean Road itinerary covers the drives. Coming for the airshow? See our Avalon Airshow 2027 guide. Worked out how you're getting here? Check dates and send us an enquiry.
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these sources on 14 October 2026. Opening hours, patrols, rules and closures change — check with the source before you go.
- Route 53 Geelong to Torquay (Bell St) timetable from 23 August 2026 — McHarry's Buslines
- Route 54 Torquay to Marshall Station timetable from 23 August 2026 — McHarry's Buslines
- South region routes (52, 53, 54) — McHarry's Buslines
- Gull Airport Service — Gull Airport Service
- Gull fares — Gull Airport Service
- Gull pickup points — Gull Airport Service
- Bus - Avalon Airport — Avalon Airport
- Coach timetables / journey planner stops — V/Line
- Searoad Ferries timetable — Searoad Ferries
- Council managed electric vehicle charging on the Surf Coast — Surf Coast Shire