Great Ocean Road - Tourism Information

Regional Overview and Attractions

The Great Ocean Road - Surf Coast in Detail

Torquay:
The Tourist Information Centre is located in Surf Coast Plaza at Torquay. Also in the Plaza is the Surfworld Museum, a celebration of Australia's surfing and beach culture, related dress and musical fashions. The Museum displays:

• vintage surfing gear and memorabilia (including a history of surfboards dating back to 1915),
• the Ocean Art Gallery, an exhibition of surf photography by Jack Eden,
• a wave-making tank (demonstrating the energy needed to produce the perfect swell),
• a paddling machine to test fitness,
• a machine to test balance on a surf board,
• board-shaping demos,
• interactive surf-related DVDs,
• a Surfing Hall of Fame and
• an interactive video system which allows visitors to "talk" with famous surfing legends.

The museum also features a small theatre screening classic and contemporary surfing movies.

Torquay is home to several major local manufacturers of surfboards and surf-related products - e.g., Ripcurl, Quicksilver both of which originated in Torquay, and Piping Hot. They are also located in Surf Coast Plaza. Get 'em hot off the press.

These are two of Australia's top surfing beaches, both within the Point Addis Marine National Park on the Victorian Surf Coast. These beaches are internationally known, with Bells Beach featuring swells of up to six metres.

The first Bells Beach surfing contest was held on the Australia Day weekend in January 1962. Changing to Easter in 1963 opened the event up to interstate competition, making it the longest-running professional surfing event in Australia and the world. Bells Beach became the site of the world amateur board-riding championships in 1970 and, in the early 1970s, the first surfing reserve in the world.

Since then it has become a fixture on the world professional circuit. The Victorian branch of the National Trust listed Bells Beach as a site of historical significance in 2000.

Victorian 2000 Open Surfing Champion Troy Brooks, describes Bells Beach as unique. "Not too many places in the world have waves, huge cliffs and no pollution."

Bring your own surf board and ride a wave or ten. If you're just starting out in surfing, book a few lessons.

If you find the swell at Bells Beach a bit intimidating, try just up the coast at Torquay, which offers somewhat less challenging surf with waves better suited for beginners.

The magnificent 30 km Coastal Cliff and Beach walk starts at Jan Juc and passes through Bells Beach, meandering its way down to Aireys Inlet. There are several stages to the walk with car parking, making it possible to take the walk in easy sections for the less athletically inclined amongst us. More details about the Walk below.

Lorne:

The popular and renowned beachside resort town of Lorne is nestled into a sweeping bay with the back drop of Angahook-Lorne State Forest.

The town breathes an air of sophistication with its many renowned restaurants, galleries and trendy boutiques.
Stroll the beach to the pier or go on some of the many forest walks to waterfalls and lookouts.

The Surf Coast Walk

The Surf Coast is host to the Surf Coast Walk, a brilliant experience of coastal scenery and bushland. The total distance is around 30km but the walk consists of several shorter, easily accessed sections.

Short to medium sections include the Torquay Foreshore Trail to Point Impossible, Deep Creek Reserve and Spring Creek.

Tracks along sections of beach, cliff tops and through bushland are well marked. Highlights of the walk include internationally famous Bells Beach, Iron Bark basin, rugged Point Addis and the Anglesea cliff tops. A section passes through the Angahook-Lorne State Park, showcasing the rich flora and fauna of the area.

There are many access points where you can join or leave the trail. Toilets, drinking water, camping facilities and information boards are located at intervals.

Stage 1 - Jan Juc to Bells Beach (4 kms, 1 hour) The Jan Juc car park is accessible from the Great Ocean Road. The walk starts at the Western end of the car park and runs along the cliff top, through some heathland and on to the "wave" car park at Bells Beach. It then continues on the coast side of Bells Beach Road to the Bells Beach car park with steps leading down to the beach.

Stage 2 - Bells Beach to Point Addis (5 kms, 1.75 hours) The Bells Beach car park is accessed from the Great Ocean Road via either Bones Rd or Jarosite Rd. An access track takes you to the beach where the walk features superb coastal and bush scenery.

The track passes Southside beach and heads into the Ironbark Basin where the ruins of an old jarosite mine are located and spectacular views of the sea and bush. The walk continues through ironbark forest heading back to the heathland along the coastal cliff. Great views can be obtained from the hill climb that preceeds a more gentle walk into Point Addis.

Stage 3 - Point Addis to Anglesea (7 kms, 2 hours) This stage of the Surf Coast Walk is accessed from the western end of the Ironbark Basin car park, accessed from the Great Ocean Road via Point Addis Road.

The track descends to the beach and follows the beach for about 1.5 kms before climbing inland to the cliff tops and bush around Eumeralla scout camp. Shortly after, Anglesea will be visible.

Stage 4 - Anglesea to Aireys Inlet (10 kms, 3 hrs) As you travel the Great Ocean Road from Geelong, you will see a parking area right next to the Anglesea River after you cross it. The Surf Coast Walk track can be picked up from this parking area.

This stage of the walk includes Coogoorah Park and views over the golf course where kangaroos regularly graze, as well as passing through beautiful bushland. You will find a quite steep descent and ascent into and out of Hutt Gully.

The track then follows Gilbert Street to its junction with Boundary Road. From here you have a couple of choices for the next stage of the walk.

Stage 5a - Aireys Inlet to Distillery Creek (2 kms, 30 minutes) This section takes you to the Distillery Creek picnic area in the Angahook-Lorne State Park. There are a variety of walks starting from here and spreading out through the park.

Stage 5b - Aireys Inlet to Moggs Creek (9 kms, 3 hours) This option takes you back towards the coast and takes in Split Point and its lighthouse. The track passes two early settler graves and, if you wish, you can divert to see the old Bark Hut, a replica of an early settlers cottage. From here the walk continues along the beach to Fairhaven.

Now you can elect to take the Bridge Road, climbing through bushland to an open ridge and heathland and experiencing panoramic views from the hilltop. The walk ends at the Moggs Creek picnic area.

The other option continues along the beach towards Eastern View, crosses the Great Ocean Road and up a hill to a lookout. The walk continues until it also arrives at the Moggs Creek picnic area.

Coastal Lookouts

Bells Beach - Lookout platforms at Bells Beach Surfing Reserve give ocean and beach views.

Point Addis - Impressive views of the ocean and beaches as well as sandstone cliffs towards Bells Beach and Anglesea.

Anglesea - An elevated memorial lookout offers breathtaking coastal views.

Aireys Inlet - Views over Eagle and Table rocks from Split Point Lighthouse. A second lookout is located at the end of Boundary Road off the Great Ocean Road.

Cinema Point - One of the highest vantage points along the Great Ocean Road with spectacular views towards Eastern View, Fairhaven and Aireys Inlet.

Lorne - Teddy's Lookout is one of the best in the area, overlooking the St. George River as it flows into a small cove

Waterfalls

The Surf Coast hinterland features some spectacular waterfalls:

The Cora Lyn cascades are in the Angahook-Lorne State Park near Lorne and flow over a series of exposed shale ledges. There is a strenuous 90 minute return walk from Blanket Leaf Picnic Area (off Erskine Road) that goes for 4 kilometres.

Erskine Falls are 10km north east of Lorne at the end of Erskine Falls Road. This is one of the highest drops in the Otways. There are viewing platforms above and at the base of the falls, connected by a walking track that is steep in places.

Upper and Lower Kalimna Falls are accessible via a moderate 8-kilometre return walk from Sheoak picnic area just outside of Lorne. The walk is 1.5hrs to the upper falls and 1hr to the lower falls which are fringed by tall rainforest rrees and dense tree ferns.

Straw Falls are a 15 metre cascade 400 metres downstream from Erskine Falls. Access is an easy drive on sealed road, 5 minutes inland from Lorne.

Currawong Falls are located near Aireys Inlet. Access is a moderate 4-hour, 12-kilometer return walk form the Distillery Creek picnic ground. The site offers outstanding views of the surrounding countryside and the falls are at their best in the winter and spring seasons.