Torquay (including Bellbrae and Jan Juc)
Popular day tripper seaside destination on the Bellarine Peninsula.
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 of Geelong 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, interactive 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. The entry fee (to the museum) is presently $6.50 and $4.50 for children and concessions. There are also family deals, tel: (03) 5261 4606 or go to 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 near Aireys 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 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.

A Book About The Great Ocean Road
The best book about the Great Ocean Road is the remarkably cheap ($19.95 for a full colour hardback) book by Port Campbell photographer, Rodney Hyett. It is 96 pages long and has everything you could possibly want ­ great photographs, maps of the area, a potted history of the area, details about national parks and visitor information centres, accommodation, walking tracks, even details of the region's eight lighthouses and succinct (not as detailed as this website) pieces of information about all the major destinations from Queenscliff to Cape Bridgewater. If you are planning to travel the Great Ocean Road and explore the totality of its attractions this is a small masterpiece of publishing and a great travel guide. It is available from many shops along the way and can be ordered from Port Campbell Shopping at http://www.portcampbellshopping.com.au.

	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 Rating:
	Motels
	Torquay Tropicana Motel Cnr Geelong & Grossmans Rds P.O. Box 409 Torquay VIC 3228 Telephone: (03) 5261 4399 Facsimile: (03) 5261 4431 Rating: ***1/2
	Surf City Motel 35 The Esplanade Torquay VIC 3228 Telephone: (03) 5261 3492 Facsimile: (03) 5261 4032 Rating: ****
	Hotels
	Torquay Hotel Motel 36 Bell St Torquay VIC 3228 Telephone: (03) 5261 6046 Facsimile: (03) 5261 4065 Rating: ***
	Bed & Breakfast/Guesthouses
	Avondale Bed & Breakfast 5 Time Crt Torquay VIC 3228 Telephone: (03) 5261 9362
	Bellbrae Harvest 45 Portreath Rd Bellbrea Torquay VIC 3228 Telephone: (03) 5266 2100 Facsimile: (03) 5266 2100
	Blundells Ocean Vista Bed & Breakfast 48 Cowrie Rd Torquay VIC 3228 Telephone: (03) 5261 9826
	Freshwater Green Country House 3 Jettie Lane Torquay VIC 3228 Telephone: (03) 5261 3366
	Gateway to the Great Ocean Road B & B 4 Ocean View Crst Torquay VIC 3228 Telephone: 0407 612 441
	Ironbark Haven Bed & Breakfast 3 Point Addis Rd Bellbrea Torquay VIC 3228 Telephone: (03) 5263 2224
	Just Junes B & B 12 Casino Crit Torquay VIC 3228 Telephone: (03) 5261 3371 Rating: ***1/2
	Ocean Manor Bed & Breakfast 3 Glengarry Dve Torquay VIC 3228 Telephone: (03) 5261 3441 Facsimile: (03) 5261 9140 Rating: ****
	Ocean Road Retreat 101 Sunset Strip Torquay VIC 3228 Telephone: (03) 5261 2971 Facsimile: (03) 5261 2971 Rating: ****
	Ocean Vista B & B 48 Cowrie Rd Torquay VIC 3228 Telephone: (03) 5261 9826 Rating: ****1/2
	Oceanview B & B 24a Felix Crst Torquay VIC 3228 Telephone: (03) 5261 5258
	Potters Inn 40 Bristol Rd Torquay VIC 3228 Telephone: (03) 5261 4131 Facsimile: (03) 5261 4131 Rating: ****1/2
	Seawyns Bed & Breakfast 21 Torquay Blvd Torquay VIC 3228 Telephone: (03) 5261 3474 Facsimile: (03) 5261 3474 Rating: ****
	Tracks Bed & Breakfast 12 Carnoustie Ave Torquay VIC 3228 Telephone: (03) 5261 5514 Facsimile: (03) 5261 5514 Rating: ****
	Holiday Homes & Units
	Bundanoon Beach Houses cnr Price & Pride Sts Torquay VIC 3228 Telephone: (03) 5261 2141 Rating: ****
	Surfcoast Retreat 15 Aquarius Ave Torquay VIC 3228 Telephone: (03) 5261 3025 Facsimile: (03) 5261 3045 Rating: ****
	Torquay Beach House 15 The Esplanade Torquay VIC 3228 Telephone: (03) 5261 2493 Facsimile: (03) 5261 4689
	Cottages & Cabins
	Anita's Guesthouse Torquay - Cottage & Cabins 17 Anderson St Torquay VIC 3228 Telephone: (03) 5261 4732 Rating: ***1/2
	Bells Holiday Cottages 35 Dunloe Crt Bellbrae Torquay VIC 3228 Telephone: (03) 5261 5243
	Surfcoast Retreat 15 Aquarius Ave Torquay VIC 3228 Telephone: (03) 5261 3025 Facsimile: (03) 5261 3045 Rating: ****1/2
	Torquay 1903 Period Cottages 18-20 Parkside Crst Torquay VIC 3228 Telephone: (03) 5261 6616
	Torquay Country Retreat Cottage 135 Briody Dve Torquay VIC 3228 Telephone: (03) 5261 3144 Facsimile: (03) 5261 3144 Rating: ***
	Caravan Parks
	Torquay Public Reserves Bell St Torquay VIC 3228 Telephone: (03) 5261 2496 Facsimile: (03) 5261 5390 Rating: **
	Zeally Bay Caravan Park Cnr Darian Rd & The Esplanade P.O. Box 18 Torquay VIC 3228 Telephone: (03) 5261 2400 Facsimile: (03) 5261 2696 Rating: ****
	Jan Juc Park Sunset Strip Torquay VIC 3228 Telephone: (03) 5261 2932 Facsimile: (03) 5261 3562 Rating: ***1/2
	Torquay Holiday Resort 55 Surfcoast Hwy Torquay VIC 3228 Telephone: (03) 5261 2493 Facsimile: (03) 5261 4689 Rating: ****1/2
	Backpackers
	Bells Beach Backpackers 51 Surfcoast Hwy Torquay VIC 3228 Telephone: (03) 5261 7070 Facsimile: (03) 5261 3879
	Restaurants
	Bellbrae Harvest 45 Portreath Rd Bellbrea Torquay VIC 3228 Telephone: (03) 5266 2100 Facsimile: (03) 5266 2100
	Great Ocean Rose 220 Great Ocean Rd Torquay VIC 3228 Telephone: (03) 5261 2038
	Hole In One Bistro 1 The Great Ocean Rd Torquay VIC 3228 Telephone: (03) 5261 9138
	Jade Torquay Chinese Restaurant 1st Floor, 12 Gilbert St Torquay VIC 3228 Telephone: (03) 5261 7388
	Java Kitchen 12-14 Pearl St Torquay VIC 3228 Telephone: (03) 5261 7022
	La Porchetta 61 Geelong Rd Torquay VIC 3228 Telephone: (03) 5261 9444
	La Sicilia Pizzeria Ristorante 38 Bell St Torquay VIC 3228 Telephone: (03) 5261 3633
	Micha's on the Esplanade 23 The Esplanade Torquay VIC 3228 Telephone: (03) 5261 2460
	Shanghai Inn 44 Bell St Torquay VIC 3228 Telephone: (03) 5261 4203
	Sujin - Thai Restaurant 45 Geelong Rd Torquay VIC 3228 Telephone: (03) 5261 6228
	Surf City Motel 35 The Esplanade Torquay VIC 3228 Telephone: (03) 5261 3492
	The Nocturnal Donkey Shop 615 Bell St Torquay VIC 3228 Telephone: (03) 5261 9575
	Torquay Hotel/Motel Bell St Torquay VIC 3228 Telephone: (03) 5261 2001
	Zeally's Restaurant 35 The Esplanade Torquay VIC 3228 Telephone: (03) 5261 3492
	Cafés
	Bees Knees Cafe 27 Gilbert St Torquay VIC 3228 Telephone: (03) 5261 4074
	Bells Bakery Shop 7, 15 Bell St Torquay VIC 3228 Telephone: (03) 5261 4447
	Bird Rock Cafe cnr Ocean Blvd & Stuart Ave Torquay VIC 3228 Telephone: (03) 5261 4774
	Sandbah Cafe 21 Gilbert St Torquay VIC 3228 Telephone: (03) 5261 6414
	Spooners 57 Geelong Rd Torquay VIC 3228 Telephone: (03) 5261 3887
	Tapas Cafe 9 Gilbert S Torquay VIC 3228 Telephone: (03) 5261 2854
	The Surf Rider Cafe 26 Bell St Torquay VIC 3228 Telephone: (03) 5261 6477