Australia's Surf Capital
Torquay is where Australian surf culture was born. Home to Rip Curl and Quiksilver, host of the annual Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach, and blessed with consistent waves year-round — this is as good as it gets for surfing in Victoria.
Whether you're picking up a board for the first time or chasing a heavy reef break, there's a wave for you within 15 minutes of Holyday House.
Surf Breaks by Level
Beginner
Torquay Front Beach
Gentle, rolling waves on sandy bottom. Patrolled in summer. This is where the surf schools operate — ideal for your first lesson. 5 min drive.
Cosy Corner
A sheltered spot between Torquay and Jan Juc. Small, forgiving waves. Less crowded than Front Beach and great for building confidence. 5 min drive.
Intermediate
Jan Juc
A consistent beach break with more push than Front Beach. Popular with locals. Works well on south-west swells. 5 min drive.
Whites Beach
400m walk from Holyday House. A quieter option that picks up more swell than you'd expect. Uncrowded and worth checking on bigger days.
Advanced
Bells Beach
World-famous reef break. Powerful, hollow waves that break over a rock shelf. Home of the Rip Curl Pro since 1962. Best on a solid south-west swell at mid tide. 10 min drive. Respect the locals and know your limits.
Winki Pop
Right next to Bells, this right-hander is fast, hollow, and not for the faint-hearted. A step up from Bells in terms of consequence. For experienced surfers only.
Point Impossible
A long, exposed beach with powerful waves. Can be excellent on its day. Remote and uncrowded — bring a friend and check conditions first. 10 min drive.
Surf Lessons & Board Hire
Multiple surf schools operate on Torquay Front Beach, all within a 5-minute drive of the house. Group lessons typically run 1.5–2 hours and include wetsuit and board. Private lessons are available for faster progress.
Go Ride a Wave
Australia's largest surf school. Group and private lessons daily on Torquay Front Beach. Great for families — kids lessons from age 7.
Torquay Surf Academy
Smaller groups and experienced local instructors. Board and wetsuit hire also available if you want to go solo.
Board Hire
Several shops on the Torquay foreshore hire boards and wetsuits by the hour or day. Soft-top boards for beginners, shortboards and longboards for experienced surfers.
Best Time to Surf
Summer
Smaller, cleaner waves. Warm water (18–20°C). Best for beginners. Offshore winds in the morning. Crowded on weekends.
Autumn
The sweet spot. Consistent swell, warm water, fewer crowds. March–May is arguably the best surfing season on the Surf Coast.
Winter
Big swells, cold water (12–14°C), powerful waves. A good wetsuit is essential. Bells and Winki Pop fire on the larger days.
Spring
Transitional. Still decent swell from winter storms, warming water. Can be windy — check the forecast for offshore mornings.
After a surf, come home to the hot tub — nothing beats it for sore muscles. For more activities, see our things to do in Torquay guide.