Verified Review icon check navigate-up navigate-left navigate-right expand mail svg-lightning svg-24hr svg-house svg-sleeps svg-bedrooms svg-bathrooms svg-stay svg-toilet calendar svg-report-flag pet-dog svg-multiunit Default Owner Icon heart-filled

Torquay: Surf Capital of Australia

Torquay is widely considered the surf capital of Australia, with some of the best surfing beaches in the world at its doorstep. The coastal town also marks the start of the Great Ocean Road. In other words, a visit to Torquay is a must if you’re interested in Australia’s favourite pastime, or simply if you wish to see some of the most picturesque oceanfront scenery on the planet. In the summer, the number of visitors to Torquay triples, but holiday rentals of all sorts welcome guests year-round.

Torquay Surf Culture

Torquay is the closest town to world-famous Bells Beach, where surf and shark movie Point Break was set in the early nineties. This stunningly rugged, larger-than-life stretch of sand between cliffs attracts great swell and is sought after by experienced surfers. Even non-surfers holidaying in the area must visit Bells Beach, if only for the plunging seascapes. If you’re seeking slightly calmer waves to surf, head over to nearby Jan Juc, considered the breeding ground for the next generation of surfers. Total newbie? A number of surf schools line the beaches in Torquay, giving beginners a chance to learn the craft, too.

As you might expect, surf culture goes beyond the waves in Torquay: visitors can learn about the history of the sport at the Surf World Museum [LINK http://www.surfworld.com.au/] or browse the latest Quicksilver or Rip Curl fashions right where they were created and launched to the world, at Surf City Plaza.

More than Surfing at Torquay

As the official start to the Great Ocean Road, Torquay offers a number of attractions other than surfing. If you’re looking for a safe, family-friendly beach where you can relax and swim with the kids, head to Torquay’s Main Beach. Several cafes are located along The Esplanade, moments from the shore, so visitors can combine a delicious meal with a visit to the beach.

Tiger Moth World, an adventure park in Torquay, invites you into the universe of vintage aircrafts. The park advertises good old-fashioned fun for the whole family and runs scenic flights over Torquay onboard a World War II inspired, open-cockpit plane, along with a host of activities for kids of all ages, such as minigolf, paddle boating, volleyball, mini soccer and playground equipment.

Don’t worry: Torquay has something for the grownups, as well! Saltair Day Spa features a number of treatments, including a range of massages. If you have half a day to spend in heaven, try the Ocean Dreaming treatment, a rejuvenating 8-part experience that you can enjoy on your own or with a friend or partner. Otherwise, indulge in a 60- or 90-minute treatment for some well-deserved ‘me time’.

Torquay Walks & Trails

Staying active when you’re not surfing is easy in Torquay, with coastal trails that offer panoramic ocean views high above the beaches. If you’re feeling ambitious, walk close to 6km from Point Impossible to Yellow Bluff. This trail meanders through Wathaurung Country, where you can learn about the Aboriginals who once lived here. Closer to town, Torquay Promenade offers an easy family walk of under 2km, where visitors can find out about the region’s history while taking in breathtaking scenery. If you want to see Torquay’s beaches from up high, walk the trail from Point Danger to Bird Rock: you’ll pass Main Beach and Jan Juc and may be able to observe a surf lesson taking place.

Action and Adventure in Torquay

Travellers seeking something more thrilling can go skydiving, with Australian Skydive based right in Torquay. Enjoy freefalling and parachuting while taking in beautiful ocean and hinterland views from a unique perspective. Alternately, visitors can rent a motorcycle for a few hours and ride along the Great Ocean Road. That way, if you don’t have a car, you can still drive all the way to Anglesea or Lorne. Finally, get up close and personal with the wildlife below sea-level and go snorkelling around Point Danger Marine Sanctuary. West Coast Adventure Surf School will be happy to take you out to the limestone reefs, where over 90 species dwell.

Torquay in a Nutshell

Torquay is an iconic Australian holiday destination, the birthplace of Aussie surf culture as we know it today. The town’s population of 7000 nearly triples over the summer, attesting to its popularity. If you’re planning to spend some time in Torquay, of course an interest in surfing helps, but groups and families will find plenty to do without even touching a surfboard. One thing is for certain: holidaying in Torquay will keep you on your feet!

Search
Filter
Map
Showing 1-50 of 300+
  View Map Map
Additional service fee may apply.
    A$459
    avg/night
    • 3 BR
    • 2 BA
    • Sleeps 6
    Apartment #3833009
      A$467
      avg/night
      • 4 BR
      • 3 BA
      • Sleeps 11
      House #4433212
        A$841
        avg/night
        • 5 BR
        • 3 BA
        • Sleeps 10
        House #3832527
          A$1,031
          avg/night
          • 5 BR
          • 2 BA
          • Sleeps 11
          Apartment #3833019
            A$443
            avg/night
            • 3 BR
            • 2 BA
            • Sleeps 6
            Apartment #3832518
            1
              A$555
              avg/night
              • 4 BR
              • 2 BA
              • Sleeps 8
              House #3833057
                A$1,154
                avg/night
                • 4 BR
                • 2 BA
                • Sleeps 10
                House #3833024
                  A$1,008
                  avg/night
                  • 5 BR
                  • 3 BA
                  • Sleeps 10
                  House #3833130
                  1
                    A$443
                    avg/night
                    • 3 BR
                    • 2 BA
                    • Sleeps 6
                    Apartment #3833102
                      A$555
                      avg/night
                      • 4 BR
                      • 2 BA
                      • Sleeps 10
                      Apartment #3833055
                      1
                        A$249
                        avg/night
                        • 2 BR
                        • 1 BA
                        • Sleeps 5
                        Villa #4560067
                          A$249
                          avg/night
                          • 2 BR
                          • 1 BA
                          • Sleeps 4
                          Cottage #4556849
                            A$232
                            avg/night
                            • 1 BR
                            • 1 BA
                            • Sleeps 2
                            Apartment #4552997
                              A$1,556
                              avg/night
                              • 7 BR
                              • 4 BA
                              • Sleeps 16
                              House #3856255
                                A$425
                                avg/night
                                • 4 BR
                                • 2 BA
                                • Sleeps 10
                                House #3856254
                                  A$1,453
                                  avg/night
                                  • 5 BR
                                  • 3 BA
                                  • Sleeps 10
                                  House #4317623
                                    A$293
                                    avg/night
                                    • 4 BR
                                    • 2 BA
                                    • Sleeps 10
                                    House #402087944
                                      A$187
                                      avg/night
                                      • 2 BR
                                      • 1 BA
                                      • Sleeps 5
                                      Apartment #404298540
                                        A$243
                                        avg/night
                                        • 2 BR
                                        • 2 BA
                                        • Sleeps 5
                                        Apartment #404399042
                                          A$236
                                          avg/night
                                          • 2 BR
                                          • 1 BA
                                          • Sleeps 4
                                          Apartment #404399105
                                            A$249
                                            avg/night
                                            • 2 BR
                                            • 1 BA
                                            • Sleeps 4
                                            Apartment #404399128
                                              A$249
                                              avg/night
                                              • 2 BR
                                              • 1 BA
                                              • Sleeps 4
                                              Apartment #404398947
                                                View details for price
                                                • 3 BR
                                                • 2 BA
                                                • Sleeps 6
                                                House #404424567
                                                  A$220
                                                  avg/night
                                                  • 3 BR
                                                  • 2 BA
                                                  • Sleeps 8
                                                  House #404424586
                                                    A$283
                                                    avg/night
                                                    • 4 BR
                                                    • 2 BA
                                                    • Sleeps 10
                                                    House #404436429
                                                      A$196
                                                      avg/night
                                                      • 2 BR
                                                      • 1 BA
                                                      • Sleeps 6
                                                      Apartment #404448532
                                                        A$205
                                                        avg/night
                                                        • 3 BR
                                                        • 1 BA
                                                        • Sleeps 6
                                                        House #404483587
                                                          View details for price
                                                          • 2 BR
                                                          • 1 BA
                                                          • Sleeps 4
                                                          Apartment #404485593
                                                            A$251
                                                            avg/night
                                                            • 3 BR
                                                            • 1 BA
                                                            • Sleeps 7
                                                            House #404506251
                                                              View details for price
                                                              • 4 BR
                                                              • 2 BA
                                                              • Sleeps 7
                                                              House #404792554
                                                                A$263
                                                                avg/night
                                                                • 3 BR
                                                                • 2 BA
                                                                • Sleeps 6
                                                                House #404901778
                                                                1
                                                                  A$283
                                                                  avg/night
                                                                  • 4 BR
                                                                  • 2 BA
                                                                  • Sleeps 8
                                                                  House #405009226
                                                                    A$176
                                                                    avg/night
                                                                    • 3 BR
                                                                    • 1 BA
                                                                    • Sleeps 6
                                                                    House #405032482
                                                                      A$277
                                                                      avg/night
                                                                      • 3 BR
                                                                      • 2 BA
                                                                      • Sleeps 8
                                                                      House #952417
                                                                        A$278
                                                                        avg/night
                                                                        • 4 BR
                                                                        • 3 BA
                                                                        • Sleeps 10
                                                                        House #3166451
                                                                          View details for price
                                                                          • 3 BR
                                                                          • 2 BA
                                                                          • Sleeps 6
                                                                          House #3597739
                                                                            View details for price
                                                                            • 3 BR
                                                                            • 2 BA
                                                                            • Sleeps 6
                                                                            House #3605931
                                                                              A$346
                                                                              avg/night
                                                                              • 4 BR
                                                                              • 2 BA
                                                                              • Sleeps 8
                                                                              House #3730961
                                                                                View details for price
                                                                                • 3 BR
                                                                                • 2 BA
                                                                                • Sleeps 6
                                                                                House #3808436
                                                                                  A$503
                                                                                  avg/night
                                                                                  • 4 BR
                                                                                  • 2 BA
                                                                                  • Sleeps 8
                                                                                  House #3706582
                                                                                    A$204
                                                                                    avg/night
                                                                                    • 2 BR
                                                                                    • 2 BA
                                                                                    • Sleeps 5
                                                                                    Townhome #3845725
                                                                                      A$250
                                                                                      avg/night
                                                                                      • 1 BR
                                                                                      • 2 BA
                                                                                      • Sleeps 6
                                                                                      Apartment #3852733
                                                                                        A$300
                                                                                        avg/night
                                                                                        • 1 BR
                                                                                        • 2 BA
                                                                                        • Sleeps 11
                                                                                        House #3852803
                                                                                          A$250
                                                                                          avg/night
                                                                                          • 1 BR
                                                                                          • 1 BA
                                                                                          • Sleeps 5
                                                                                          House #3852784
                                                                                            A$140
                                                                                            avg/night
                                                                                            • 1 BR
                                                                                            • 1 BA
                                                                                            • Sleeps 6
                                                                                            House #3852385
                                                                                              A$550
                                                                                              avg/night
                                                                                              • 1 BR
                                                                                              • 5 BA
                                                                                              • Sleeps 20
                                                                                              House #3853069
                                                                                                A$320
                                                                                                avg/night
                                                                                                • 1 BR
                                                                                                • 2 BA
                                                                                                • Sleeps 9
                                                                                                House #3852472
                                                                                                  A$250
                                                                                                  avg/night
                                                                                                  • 1 BR
                                                                                                  • 2 BA
                                                                                                  • Sleeps 7
                                                                                                  House #3853103
                                                                                                    A$135
                                                                                                    avg/night
                                                                                                    • 1 BR
                                                                                                    • 1 BA
                                                                                                    • Sleeps 5
                                                                                                    Apartment #3852491
                                                                                                      A$300
                                                                                                      avg/night
                                                                                                      • 1 BR
                                                                                                      • 2 BA
                                                                                                      • Sleeps 5
                                                                                                      House #3852584

                                                                                                      Torquay Accommodation (300+)

                                                                                                      1.  >
                                                                                                      2.  >
                                                                                                      3.  >
                                                                                                      4.  >
                                                                                                      5.  >
                                                                                                       

                                                                                                      Recent Reviews

                                                                                                      View property

                                                                                                      I booked this house through Golf Retreats Victoria. They were quick to respond to all enquiries

                                                                                                      5 of 5
                                                                                                      I booked this house through Golf Retreats Victoria. They were quick to respond to all enquiries (unlike so many other places I tried!), helpful, friendly and sent cute SMS/e-mail reminders. The house was comfortable, clean and appeared as described. Also nice and close to the beach. Thank you so much I really did have a great stay, I would definitely recommend this place to anyone wanting to have a beach getaway with a bigger group of people.
                                                                                                      ... continue reading
                                                                                                      • Review Submitted: Feb 17, 2015
                                                                                                      • Date of Stay: Feb 2015
                                                                                                      View property

                                                                                                      Nice place, very comfy. The beach isn't too far away (and is fantastic) and the pool is just out the

                                                                                                      5 of 5
                                                                                                      Nice place, very comfy. The beach isn't too far away (and is fantastic) and the pool is just out the back door.
                                                                                                      ... continue reading
                                                                                                      • Review Submitted: Jan 19, 2015
                                                                                                      • Date of Stay: Jan 2015