A little further down the coast
Wye River is a small coastal settlement where a steep, green valley meets the Southern Ocean. From Holyday House in north Torquay, it's about 1 hour 15 minutes by car, following the Great Ocean Road through Anglesea and Lorne. The distance is around 67 kilometres. This is one of those days where the drive is part of it: cliffs, forest and little pockets of beach along the way.
The village itself is compact. There's a surf beach, a campground, the Wye River Surf Life Saving Club and the Wye Beach Hotel on the hill above the sand. Nearby Separation Creek is another small coastal settlement. You can make Wye the whole day, or stop here on the longer coastal run towards Kennett River and Apollo Bay.
The beach and the surf
Wye River Beach is a short sweep of sand tucked under the wooded hills, with the river mouth at one end. Rocky points frame the beach, but the surf still has a bit of push to it. Take the beach path down and watch the water for a while before heading back to the village.
Wye River Surf Life Saving Club patrols the beach during summer. Rips run beside the rocks at both ends, so when the flags are up, swim between them.
If you only have time for one stop, we'd choose the beach first. The river mouth, surf and steep hills are all in view at once, and there's room to stretch your legs after the drive.
It's also a nice place to pause after Lorne's winding coastal stretch, with the beach and river valley opening out right beside the road.
A pub above the beach
The Wye Beach Hotel is perched just above the water at 19–21 Great Ocean Road. The hotel currently lists opening seven days from 11:30am, with lunch and dinner in the kitchen. It doesn't take table bookings, so it's a walk-in stop. There is also a separate weekend cafe in the functions space next door, listed from 8am to 11:30am.
Wye General Store and Cafe is normally the other easy stop, across from the beachfront campground. It's been closed since the January 2026 flood. When we asked in October 2026, the owners told us they were still deep in renovations, hoping (optimistically, they said) to reopen in the first week of December. They'll post progress on the store's Instagram, so check there before you plan a stop.
With the store closed, make your food plans before leaving Lorne. The hotel is the reliable option in Wye for a meal, and the campground is right by the beach if you're staying overnight. For a day trip, a walk on the sand and a pub lunch are plenty before the return drive.
Wye is a lovely place to slow the itinerary down rather than race through every lookout. Park near the village, spend time on the beach, then take the short walk up to the hotel for a view back across the bay. If you're continuing west, you can make this a relaxed pause before Kennett River instead of trying to fit both towns into a quick photo stop.
Nearby Separation Creek
Separation Creek is another small settlement along the Great Ocean Road, farther west from Torquay. Its beach and hillside houses sit beneath the same Otway slopes. The two places are close enough to pair, and the coast road stays close to the water as you head west.
Heavy winter rain in 2016 triggered major landslips around Wye River and Separation Creek. The Great Ocean Road between the towns closed for several weeks, and further retaining and slope work followed. After heavy rain, it's worth a look at VicTraffic before you set out.
The Christmas Day 2015 fire destroyed 116 houses across Wye River and Separation Creek. The fire and the recovery that followed touched nearly every part of the community. The town has rebuilt, and walking around you can see how close the houses sit to the bush on those steep slopes.
Keep going to Kennett River
From Torquay, Wye River comes after Lorne and before Kennett River on the coastal drive. If you want to make a longer day of it, continue to Kennett River for the koala stop, then Apollo Bay for a walk near the harbour. We have a separate Kennett River koalas guide with where to look and how to keep your distance.
The return to north Torquay is about 1 hour 15 minutes without stops. Leave a little room in the afternoon for the winding road and a break along the coast. Back at Holyday House, the three wood fires make a good finish if the day has turned cool.
Wye River FAQ
How far is Wye River from Torquay?
About 67 kilometres and 1 hour 15 minutes from north Torquay via Anglesea and Lorne on the Great Ocean Road.
Is Wye Beach patrolled?
Wye River Surf Life Saving Club patrols during summer.
Is Wye General Store open?
Not yet. In October 2026 the owners told us it was still closed for renovations after the January flood, with an optimistic reopening in early December. Check its Instagram for updates.
Can you eat at Wye Beach Hotel?
Yes. Its current website lists the hotel open daily from 11:30am, with lunch and dinner service. The pub takes walk-ins rather than table bookings.
Where can I see koalas nearby?
Kennett River is the nearest well-known koala stop along the Great Ocean Road. Our separate guide covers the walk and where to look.
Make a day of the coast
Wye River is a good stop between Torquay and the Otways, whether you stay for a swim, a walk or lunch. For the drive east, see our Lorne day trip guide; for a longer trip, follow the three-day Great Ocean Road itinerary. If you're staying in Torquay, check dates and send us an enquiry.
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these sources on 17 October 2026. Opening hours, patrols, rules and closures change — check with the source before you go.
- Wye River — Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority
- Wye Beach Hotel — Wye Beach Hotel
- Wye River Beach — Surf Life Saving Australia Beachsafe
- Beaches of the Otway Coast — Visit Great Ocean Road
- Ten years on from the devastating Wye River fires — Country Fire Authority
- Review of the Wye River and Separation Creek Fire Recovery — Emergency Management Victoria
- Putting the Wye River community first — Premier of Victoria
- Great Ocean Road tourism operators plead for visitors to return as flood and fires cause financial hit — ABC News
- Things to see and do between Melbourne and the Twelve Apostles — Visit Great Ocean Road