Bells Beach in Torquay, VIC.
In terms of population growth, Torquay is the most rapidly expanding town inside the most rapidly expanding shire in non-metropolitan Victoria. It is a seaside holiday resort and a residential satellite of Geelong, located 95 km south-west of Melbourne and 22 km south ofGeelong at the eastern end of the Great Ocean Rd. Torquay is known as the 'Surf Capital of Australia' and the town contains numerous businesses and manufacturers related to the pastime who have long been sponsors of the Easter surfing championships at Bells Beach. Torquay is also a popular fishing spot.
It is thought that the Wathaurung Aborigines occupied the area prior to European settlement. Picnickers began to frequent the spot from the 1860s. When the first land was sold in the mid-1880s the locality was known to Europeans as Spring Creek, after the rivulet which demarcates its south-western edge. It soon became a popular holiday spot for residents of Geelong and Melbourne who initially travelled here by Cobb & Co coach. The seaside resort associations, coupled with the English-orientated demographics, saw the settlement renamed Torquay in 1892 after the holiday resort in Devonshire.
The Canadian clipper, the Joseph H Scammel, ran aground 400 metres offshore in 1891. The pine deckhouse was used to build the lower portion of Scammel House which can still be seen in Pride St. It was the hearing into the wreck that led to the construction of a lighthouse at Aireys Inlet.
The Australian Strongman Triathlon is held at Torquay in early February, the High Tide Festival in early December and the Ripcurl Pro Surfing Classic at nearby Bells Beach. Surf carnivals are also held throughout the summer.
Things to see
Tourist Information Centre
The information centre is located in Surf Coast Plaza, at the corner of the Surfcoast Highway and Beach Rd, tel: (03) 5261 4219.
Surfworld Australia Surfing Museum
Within the same complex is Surfworld Museum which is a celebration of Australia's surfing and beach culture, incorporating related dress and musical fashions. Itdisplays vintage surfing gear and memorabilia (including a history of surfboards dating back to 1915), the Ocean Art Gallery, a theatre screening classic and contemporary surfing movies, 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 and a machine to test balance on a surf board, board-shaping demos, interactve surf-related DVDs, a Surfing Hall of Fame and an interactive video system which allows visitors to "talk" with famous surfing legends. It is open from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. daily, tel: (03) 5261 4606 or go to http://www.surfworld.org.au
Surf Equipment Sales
Torquay is home to several major local manufacturers of surfboards and surf-related products - e.g., Ripcurl, Quicksilver and Piping Hot. They are also located in Surf Coast Plaza. Get 'em hot off the press.
The Beaches
Torquay's beaches are, of course, its raison d'etre. As Torquay has been a holiday resort since the late 19th century its beaches are modelled on English seaside resorts with immaculate grassed areas and shady trees for a post-paddling promenade. They are full to overflowing in summer with day-trippers from Geelong and Melbourne.
The settlement is mostly sandwiched between Deep Creek to the north-east and Spring Creek to the south-west. Both empty into the ocean. The beach-walker heading south-west from Deep Creek will find themselves on a stretch of Zeally Bay which is known locally as Fishermans Beach or Fisho's. As the name suggests it is a noted fishing, as well as a sailing spot. There is a boat ramp and sailing club. To the rear is a neat lawned area for picnics with electric barbecues provided.
At the western end of Fisho's is Yellow Bluff where there are cypress trees and more picnic grounds. On the other side is Front Beach (aka Cosy Corner), which is a family bathing beach with lawns and an esplanade that is flood-lit at night. It is delimited to the south-west by the rock-strewn extremity of Point Danger from whence there are views north-east to Point Impossible (thought to be an ancient Aboriginal burial place) and south-west to Bells Beach.
On the western side of the point is Torquay Surf Beach which has a surf life-saving club beside Spring Creek that operates in summer. On the other side of the Creek is Rocky Point (aka Torquay Point).
On the south-western side of Rocky Point is Torquay Golf Club and Jan Juc Surfing Beach. Due to its greater exposure to ocean swells it is a noted surfing area and also has a surf life-saving club. To its rear is the settlement of Jan Juc. Further to the south-west is Bells Beach.
Sundial
On the foreshore near Deep Creek, behind Fisherman's Beach, is an impressive large-scale sundial with ceramic tiles featuring Aboriginal motifs.
Walks
The Surf Coast Walk extends for 27 km from Jan Juc to Angahook Lorne State Park nearAireys Inlet, passing through coastal bushland, and along beaches and cliff-tops. There are subsections for those with more modest ambitions. From Jan Juc to Bells Beach it is 3 km; to Point Addis is another 5 km; on to Anglesea is 7 km; to Aireys Inlet is a further 10 km; and from Boundary Rd to the Distillery Creek Picnic Area is a final 2 km. The trail is well-marked although a related pamphlet can be obtained from Surfworld Museum.
The Point Addis Walk branches off the Surfcoast Walk, taking in fine cliff-top views and native flora and fauna.
The Point Impossible Walk extends eastwards from the foreshore at Torquay to the Thompsons Creek estuary.
The Deep Creek Walk follows the aforesaid creek through a flora and fauna reserve with pockets of black boys.
The Spring Creek Walk starts at the Torquay Surf Life Saving Club and follows the creek for 4 km.
Southern Rose
Southern Rose has recently changed ownership and the new owners are in the process of re-establishing the eight-acre formal rose gardens with courtyard, arbours, gazebos and bird aviary. The restaurant and function centre offers panoramic views of the farmlands, valleys and coastline. It is located on the Great Ocean Rd 1 km west of Torquay (on the north-western outskirts of Jan Juc). It is open daily, tel: (03) 5261 2038.
Bellbrae Carriages
Bellbrae Carriages is a museum of early Australian horse-drawn carriages. It is located by the corner of Hendy Main Rd and Brushfields Rd, about 4 km north-west of Torquay (follow Coombes Rd westwards off the Geelong Rd, just north of Torquay, and it becomes Hendy Main Rd). They are open by appointment only, tel: (03) 5261 2908.
Horseriding and Berry Farm
Spring Creek Trail Rides are located in Portreath Rd at Bellbrae, tel: (03) 5266 1541. Also in Portreath Rd (no.45) is Bellbrae Harvest, a berry farm and licensed mudbrick cafe with jams, sauces and pickles made on the property. They are open Thursday to Monday for breakfast and lunch and for twilight dinners on Friday and Saturday nights, tel: (03) 5266 2100.
Tiger Moth World and Adventure Park
Tiger Moth World is a theme park revolving around the 1930s Tiger Moth biplane. The operational grass aerodrome contains a living museum dedicated to the aircraft. Visitors can watch the Moths in action, take an aerobatics or scenic ride in a Tiger Moth or a joy ride along the coast to the Twelve Apostles in a modern cabin-class aircraft. Skydiving is another possibility or you can simply explore the Adventure Park with its mini golf, flying fox, bicycles, canoes, paddleboats, playpark, volleyball facilities, the Islands of Surprise, the Jolly Roger, the Volcano Maze, a putting green, bocce, croquet, ten-pin bowling, basketball, badminton, giant board games, gift shop and cafe. Entry to the park and use of all facilities (excluding flights) is $9.50 with children under four admitted free. Birthday parties and groups are catered for.
Head north along the Surfcoast Highway to Geelong then turn right onto Blackgate Rd and it is 3 km to the park. The route is well signposted. Contact is via telephone (tel: 03 5261 5100), email (fly@tigermothworld.com) or web (www.tigermothworld.com).
Minya Winery
Minya Winery is located to the north-east of Torquay in Minya Lane (access via Blackgate Rd which runs off the Surfcoast Highway), just north of Point Impossible. It produces a range of red and white wines and is open weekends and public holidays from Christmas to Easter or by appointment. Picnic-barbecue facilities are provided. Optional extras are cabin accommodation and, by prior arrangement, lunches, dinners and picnic hampers, tel: (03) 5264 1397. Gallivan Winery Tours offer full and half-day tours of the local wineries, tel: (03) 5744 0908.
Mount Duneed Winery
This winery, established in 1969, is located at 70 Feehans Rd which heads west off the Surfcoast Highway (the Geelong-Torquay Road) 12 km north of Torquay. They make a range of white, red and fortified wines and are open weekends and public holidays from 11.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. or by appointment. Picnic and barbecue facilities are available by prior arrangement, tel: (03) 5264 1281. Gallivan Winery Tours offer full and half-day tours of the local wineries, tel: (03) 5744 0908.
Cycling
Bicycling is popular in this area and Tandemonium offer cycle hire around Torquay and Bells Beach and along the Great Ocean Road. They provide transport to the start of a chosen ride and operate a pick-up sevice at the end, tel: (0409) 803 200.
Tourist Information
Torquay Visitor Information Centre
Surf Coast Plaza Cnr Surfcoast Highway and Beach Rd
Torquay VIC 3228
Telephone: (03) 5261 4219
Facsimile: (03) 5261 4756
Email: torquayvic@primus.com.au
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