Torquay is the most vibrant seaside resort town in the Geelong region and attracts thousands for its modern lifestyle, great beaches and surf culture.
For visitors there is so much to do, some of the big attractions include Surfworld, the Australian Surfing Museum which is located at the huge Surfcoast Plaza complex amongst the massive surf gear shops which is an attraction in itself. Tiger-moth world to the town’s south is also a popular thrill adventure and some fine wineries are within a few minutes drive including Mount Duneed Winery and Minya.
But the beach is what makes Torquay- soft wide sandy beaches and some of the best surf beaches in the world. The beautiful blue waters play host to surfer’s everyday and each Easter bring the world’s best to the Rip Curl Pro Surfing Classic at Bells Beach a few kilometres to the south west of the Torquay centre. For those wanting to learn how to Surf, well there is probably no better place than at Torquay plenty of skilled instructors operate in the area and run regular classes.
The beaches are popular all year round; surfers brave the cold winter waters for the best waves while runners and walkers hit the sand every day of the year for exercise. Swimming is popular at Fisherman’s Beach during the summer months, the waters are not as fierce as some of the other Torquay beaches, being protected in Zeally Bay. Sailing and boat launching is also very popular on this beach.
There are many nature walks in Torquay to experience, many taking in special habitat areas and are good places to see native birdlife and the odd native marsupial like kangaroo or even echidna. Spring Creek walk starting at the Torquay Surf Lifesaving Club is a very popular walk so is the coastal walk between Jan Juc and Bells Beach.
For a walk around a field chasing a little white ball, Torquay has some great golf clubs. Torquay Golf Club ran by the RACV has some amazing views of the rugged cliffs and is pretty challenging. Torquay Sands is a huge and new resort and has a course designed by champion golfer Stuart Appleby. The resort is has a huge residential zone and is home too many Torquay residents.
Over the past few years the café set have moved into Torquay and the township now has some great places for a coffee or a healthy lunch. Some of the regions best dining is found in Torquay with places like Growlers overlooking the water, the Southern Rose, Imperial Rhino and Nocturnal Donkey being amongst the more popular.
The Torquay pub is also a favourite place for both tourists and locals. As well as a cold beer and good feed, the pub offers some great entertainment throughout the year including regular cover bands and it is common for some of Australia’s biggest names to play the venue over the summer months.
