An Overview
Torquay sits at the start of the Great Ocean Road, 90 minutes south-west of Melbourne. It's a town built around surfing — the home of Rip Curl, the long-time host of the Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach, and the birthplace of Australian surf culture in the 1960s. But it's also one of the best general-purpose holiday towns in Victoria: walkable, beach-side, family-friendly, with a relaxed cafe scene and just enough indoor backup for the rainy days.
This guide covers the headline things to do, organised by category — beaches, outdoors, food, rainy-day backup, day trips, and seasonal events. If you're after deeper dives, follow the links to the topic-specific guides.
Beaches
Torquay's beaches are the main event. Whether you're a surfer, a swimmer, or someone who just wants to sit on the sand with a book, there's a beach for you within ten minutes of Holyday House.
Whites Beach
400m from Holyday House. A quiet, uncrowded stretch — dog-friendly outside peak summer hours. Great for morning walks and sunset swims. Surfable on small clean days.
Torquay Front Beach
The main beach. Patrolled in summer, calm waters for kids, and walking distance to cafes and shops. The Saturday foreshore market sets up nearby. Where every Torquay surf school operates.
Bells Beach
10 minutes by car. Home of the Rip Curl Pro and one of the most famous waves in Australia. Even if you don't surf, the clifftop viewing platforms are spectacular — particularly at sunset on a big swell day.
Jan Juc Beach
5 minutes by car. A locals' favourite with consistent waves for intermediate surfers and a scenic clifftop walk along the headland.
Point Impossible
10 minutes east. A long, wild beach backed by dunes — historically off-leash for dogs, less developed, and excellent for an empty-beach walk.
Cosy Corner
A small sheltered beach between Torquay and Jan Juc. Excellent for swimming when the wind is up everywhere else, and a good intermediate surf spot.
Outdoors & Walks
Surf Coast Walk
A 44km coastal trail from Torquay to Aireys Inlet. You don't need to do the whole thing — pick a section and enjoy the clifftop views, wildflowers, and ocean lookouts. The Bells Beach to Point Addis stretch is a standout: 90 minutes return, mostly flat, spectacular the whole way.
Torquay foreshore boardwalk
A flat, pram-friendly boardwalk along Front Beach. Coffee at one end, cafes at the other. The classic "first morning of the holiday" walk for getting the lay of the land.
Stand-up paddleboarding & kayaking
Hire SUPs and kayaks from operators on the foreshore. Early morning is glass-calm and magical — paddle out far enough to see Bells from the water.
Surfing lessons
Multiple surf schools on Front Beach. Lessons suit all ages — a quintessential Surf Coast experience even for one-time visitors. See our surfing guide for school recommendations.
Golf
Torquay Golf Club is a links-style course with ocean views, 5 minutes from the house. Several other courses within 30 minutes. See our golf guide for details.
Whale watching (June–September)
Southern Right and Humpback whales pass the Surf Coast in winter on their migration. The clifftops above Bells and Point Addis are reliable viewing spots — bring binoculars.
Food & Drink
Torquay Town Centre
5-minute drive. Brunch spots, fish and chips, Thai, Italian, and Indian. The Bottle of Milk on the foreshore is a local institution for burgers and milkshakes. See our restaurants guide.
Blackman's Brewery
Craft beer brewed in Torquay. Wood-fired pizza, large outdoor courtyard, kid-friendly during the day, dog-friendly outside. See our breweries guide for more.
Torquay Farmers Market
Saturday mornings, fortnightly. Local produce, pastries, coffee, and artisan goods. Worth setting an alarm for — the best of the week's market goes by 9am. See our markets guide.
Bellbrae & Moriac wineries
15 minutes inland. Several cellar doors with vineyard lunches and tasting flights. The hinterland is gentler than the coast — a different mood for an afternoon. See our wineries guide.
Rainy Day Ideas
Australian National Surfing Museum
Interactive exhibits on Australian surf culture, ocean science, and board design. Great for all ages — budget about an hour. The most reliable rainy-day option in town.
Surf factory outlets
Torquay is the home of Rip Curl and Quiksilver. The factory outlets offer significant discounts on surf and beach gear — wetsuits, boardshorts, accessories. A good place to wait out a downpour with purpose.
Geelong day trip (25 min)
When Torquay is quiet, Geelong is bigger. Cinemas, the Geelong Gallery, the National Wool Museum, the waterfront carousel and bollards. A solid backup for restless teenagers on day three.
Stay in at Holyday House
Light the wood fire, fire up the PlayStation, put on a movie on the 65" TV, or relax in the hot tub while the rain falls around you. Sometimes the best rainy-day plan is no plan.
Day Trips from Torquay
Holyday House is an excellent base for exploring further afield. The Great Ocean Road is right on the doorstep, and Geelong, the Bellarine Peninsula, and Phillip Island are all within reach as day trips:
Great Ocean Road taster (4–6 hours)
Drive to Lorne (45 min), lunch on the foreshore, push on to Kennett River for koalas (another 25 min), then home. A manageable day with kids and a proper Great Ocean Road sample. See our Great Ocean Road guide.
Twelve Apostles full day (8–10 hours)
A long day — about 2.5 hours each way to Port Campbell. Worth it once. Leave early, lunch in Apollo Bay or Port Campbell, sunset back through the Otways. Plan for tired kids on the drive home.
Bellarine Peninsula (half day)
Cross the You Yangs to Queenscliff (about 45 min). Heritage town, ferry to Sorrento, mineral springs at Portarlington. Combine with a winery lunch at one of the Bellarine cellar doors.
Phillip Island Penguin Parade (full day)
2 hours' drive. Watch the little penguins return at dusk. Iconic kid experience. Book the parade tickets in advance, especially in school holidays.
Seasonal Highlights
Summer (Dec–Feb)
Beach season. Long evenings, patrolled swimming, outdoor dining, school-holiday energy. Book early — Torquay fills up.
Easter (Rip Curl Pro)
The Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach runs Easter weekend. Crowds peak — book accommodation well in advance. Free public viewing on the Bells clifftops is one of the world's best surf-spectator experiences.
Autumn (Mar–May)
Quieter crowds, warm water, stunning sunsets, the best surf of the year. The connoisseur's season — locals' favourite for a Surf Coast holiday.
Winter (Jun–Aug)
Whale watching season. Cosy up by the wood fire and hot tub. Dramatic ocean swells for spectating. A romantic-couple's-weekend Torquay rather than a beach-day Torquay.
Spring (Sep–Nov)
Wildflowers along the coastal walks, warming weather, return of long evenings. The school-holiday window is great for families before the summer rush.
Year-round events
Foreshore markets, sporting events, surf competitions, and community festivals run throughout the year. Check the Surf Coast Shire events calendar before you arrive.
Getting Around
Torquay is small enough to walk most of, but a car helps for getting to Bells Beach, Point Impossible, the wineries, and any day trip. The town centre and Front Beach are an easy 25-minute walk from Holyday House. Buses run between Torquay and Geelong frequently, and there are V/Line connections to Melbourne via Geelong if you arrive without a car.
Things to Do FAQ
How long should I stay in Torquay?
A long weekend (3 nights) covers the basics. A week gives you time for a Great Ocean Road day trip, a winery lunch, and a couple of unhurried beach days. Two weeks is genuinely relaxing.
Is Torquay better than Lorne or Apollo Bay?
Torquay is the most accessible (closest to Melbourne, biggest town centre, most amenities). Lorne is more boutique and has the rainforest backdrop. Apollo Bay is quieter and more remote. Torquay wins for first-time visitors and anyone wanting a balanced beach-and-town stay.
When is the best time to visit?
For warm-weather holidays: late February to early April is ideal — beach weather without the school-holiday crowds. For surfers: March to May. For couples seeking quiet: winter, with the wood fire and hot tub running.
Do I need a car?
Yes, for most of the things in this guide. Bells Beach, the wineries, and any day trip require driving. Within walking distance of Holyday House you have Whites Beach, Fishermans Beach, the foreshore, and the playground.
What's good for a solo / couples weekend?
Hot tub at the house, sunrise walk on Whites Beach, breakfast at the foreshore, surf lesson or coastal hike, winery lunch, dinner at Blackman's. Repeat with variations.
Planning a trip along the coast? See our Great Ocean Road guide for day trip itineraries from Torquay. Travelling with a dog? Read our pet friendly Torquay guide. With kids? The family holiday guide has you covered.