Why Torquay works for a weekend
The tricky bit of a weekend away from Melbourne is the travel. Go too far and half of Saturday disappears in the car. Stay too close and it doesn't feel like you've gone anywhere. Torquay's about right. It's around 100 km from the CBD, roughly 1 hour 15 minutes' drive when the traffic's clear. Coming from Melbourne's south-east or the Mornington Peninsula? Take the Sorrento–Queenscliff ferry and drive across the Bellarine; our Queenscliff ferry day-trip guide covers the crossing and time ashore. But once you're here it's a proper beach town. Surf breaks, clifftop walks, a town centre you can walk around, and the start of the Great Ocean Road just down the road.
A short drive changes the whole weekend. You can knock off work on Friday and still be in a hot tub that night. You can spend all of Saturday at the beach, not on the road. And on Sunday there's time for a bit of the Great Ocean Road before an easy run home.
Holyday House is a four-bedroom, single-level home that sleeps up to eight, a 400m walk from Torquay Whites Beach. It's set up for this kind of trip. Self check-in, a fully equipped kitchen so you don't have to plan every meal, a private hot tub, three wood fires for cooler nights, and a fenced backyard if the dog's coming too.
Getting from Melbourne to Torquay
By car (about 75–90 minutes)
Head west out of the city on the M1 (West Gate Freeway, then the Princes Freeway) past Werribee towards Geelong. Don't drive through Geelong itself. Stay on the Geelong Ring Road and follow the Torquay signs. The ring road joins the Surf Coast Highway, which takes you south into town, and from there it's a short drive to Holyhead Drive in north Torquay. The whole trip is around 100 km.
By train and bus (about 2 hours)
Catch a V/Line train from Southern Cross Station to Geelong (about an hour), then a local bus from Geelong Station to Torquay (about 45 minutes to an hour). McHarry's Buslines runs the Geelong–Torquay routes. Timetables change, so check the V/Line and McHarry's websites before you go. Our guide to getting to Torquay without a car has the details. Once you're here you'll want a car for Bells Beach and the Great Ocean Road. Whites Beach and the foreshore you can walk to from the house.
From Melbourne Airport
Flying in? Allow around 1 hour 30 minutes in the car from Melbourne Airport. If your flight lands at Avalon Airport, between Melbourne and Geelong, you're even closer.
Beating the weekend traffic
How long the drive takes comes down almost entirely to when you leave. The M1 is worst in the usual commuter peaks, and on Friday arvos you've also got everyone else heading for the coast. A few things help:
A two-night weekend plan
This is the weekend we'd plan for someone down here for the first time. Shuffle it around for the weather. The Surf Coast can do four seasons in a day.
The minimum stay is two to four nights depending on dates, so some weekends this turns into a long weekend. Add a Thursday or Monday night and slow it all down.
Friday: arrive and settle in
Leave Melbourne early in the afternoon and you'll get to Torquay not long after check-in opens at 3pm. Drop the bags and walk the 400m to Whites Beach for a late-arvo wander. It's quiet, sheltered and dogs are welcome. Back at the house, fire up the BBQ or light a wood fire depending on the season, and finish the night in the private hot tub. No restaurant booking, no driving.
Saturday morning: beach, surf or walk
Go at your own pace. Surfers can grab a few waves at Whites or Torquay's other beaches, or book a lesson if you're new to it (see our surfing guide). Walkers, do a bit of the Surf Coast Walk. The clifftop section from the Torquay foreshore to Jan Juc is about 3 km, and Bells Beach is roughly another 3 km past that. It's one of the best coastal walks you can get to easily from Melbourne.
Saturday afternoon: town, food and a rainy-day plan B
Have a wander round Torquay's town centre and surf outlets and grab lunch near the foreshore. If the weather turns, the Australian National Surfing Museum is an easy one indoors. Our restaurants guide, breweries guide and markets guide have the local picks. Or shop for dinner and do a long, slow meal at the dining table, which seats eight.
Sunday: a bit of the Great Ocean Road
Check-out is at 11am, so pack the car after brekkie and head south. Bells Beach is about 10 minutes away, Anglesea around 25 and Lorne roughly 45. That's far enough for a walk and lunch on the foreshore before you turn round. Try to be heading for Melbourne by early afternoon to stay ahead of the Sunday traffic. Got longer? Our Great Ocean Road guide covers full day trips.
Who comes for the weekend
Two families together
With four bedrooms, three bathrooms and two living areas, two families can share a weekend without tripping over each other. For when the grown-ups want an hour in the hot tub, there's a kids' playroom, a basketball ring and a games console. More in our family holiday guide.
Friends' weekends
Sleeps up to eight, with a full kitchen, BBQ and outdoor dining area. Golfers have a few courses close by. Have a look at the golf guide. Just so you know, the house isn't suitable for parties.
Bringing the dog
Dogs are welcome within reason. Get in touch with us first, and any damage needs to be paid for. The backyard's fully fenced, there's an outdoor shower for sandy paws, and dogs are welcome at Whites Beach. Our dog-friendly Torquay guide covers on-leash and off-leash spots nearby.
Weekend Getaway FAQ
How long is the drive from Melbourne to Torquay?
Around 100 km, so about 1 hour 15 minutes in clear traffic via the M1 and the Geelong Ring Road. Allow more on Friday afternoons and in school holidays.
Can I get to Torquay without a car?
Yes. Take the V/Line train to Geelong, then a McHarry's bus to Torquay. Allow about two hours door to door from Southern Cross, and check current timetables before you go. You can walk to Whites Beach and the foreshore from the house, but you'll want a car for Bells Beach and the Great Ocean Road.
Is there a minimum stay?
It depends on the dates. The minimum is two, three or four nights. Lots of weekends are fine for Friday to Sunday, but busier times like summer and public holidays need longer. Pick your dates in the booking form and your hosts will confirm.
What time are check-in and check-out?
Check-in is from 3pm and check-out is at 11am. It's self check-in with a smart lock, so rolling in later on Friday night is no problem.
Can I charge an electric car at the house?
Yes, from the outdoor 10A power point. You'll need a cord that's 15m or longer, or ask us and we can provide a 10A charger with a long cord. It's slow charging, so plug in when you arrive and leave it overnight.
Do I need to bring linen and towels?
Yes. Bed linen and bath towels aren't included as standard. Pack your own, or ask us to provide them for a fee when you enquire.
Is Torquay worth it in winter?
Yes, very. Winter weekends are quieter, the surf's often at its best, and it's hard to beat the wood fires and a hot tub under the stars. Split-system air conditioning keeps the house warm on cold mornings.
Still choosing where to stay? Our Torquay accommodation guide compares the options. Ready to book a weekend? Check dates and send an enquiry. Steve and Karen reply within 24 hours. For more ideas, try our things to do in Torquay guide.
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.
- Getting to Torquay — Great Ocean Road Tourism
- Timetables — V/Line
- Timetables — McHarry's Buslines
- Surf Coast Walk — Visit Great Ocean Road