Aireys Inlet<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat I love most about the Surf Coast Walk is that, as long as you’re not a completionist, it’s so easy to pick and choose the sections of the trail that appeal most to you. Perhaps you want to walk to Bells Beach, or start your stroll from Split Point Lighthouse — either is totally possible! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Each section of the walk is well-marked and there are access points and car parks running alongside the vast majority of it. After all, this is<\/em> the Great Ocean Road; much of the coastline is accessible from the road. <\/p>\n\n\n\nWithin the Torquay area, there are three different sections of the walk that I’d recommend. You could string all three together in a continuous line and rack up 13 kilometres for the day, or simply choose one or two parts to keep the walking a little easier. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nWadawurrung Country Walk<\/strong>: 6.8 km\n\nThis section is the first of the Surf Coast Track, taking you from the start point, at Point Impossible Beach, into the centre of Torquay. If you plan on walking the entire distance or want to tackle the trail in chronological order, this is the perfect place to begin. The terrain is flat and easy to traverse, overlooking surfers in the water for much of it. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n Torquay Promenade Walk<\/strong>: 2.3 km\n\nThis portion is easiest to get to, as it runs along the Torquay esplanade, parallel to Front Beach. You’ll start from the sundial and end at Jan Juc lookout — once again, it’s a simple walk with coastal views, and paved the entire way.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n The Jan Juc to Bells Track<\/strong>: 3.8 km\n\nStarting from Jan Juc Lookout, this part of the Surf Coast Walk leads to Bells Beach. You’ll be up on the cliffs for this section, giving you a panoramic view of the surf for the duration of the walk.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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<\/path><\/svg><\/span>Pick Strawberries at Surf Coast Strawberry Fields<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nI had so much fun picking strawberries on a sunny April morning<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nWe’re huge fans of Surf Coast Strawberry Fields here at Everything Victoria. This family-owned farm is open to the public during the strawberry picking season — between November and April — and makes for a fun-filled way to spend an hour on your way into Torquay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While the farm isn’t directly in the centre of town, it’s located just 10 kilometres north of Torquay so you’ll drive past it if you’re travelling here from Melbourne. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stretched across nine acres of land, Surf Coast Strawberry Fields gives visitors the opportunity to pick their own strawberries, fresh from the plant, ensuring that only the highest quality fruits make it out of there. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
On-site, you’ll find a small cafe and shop, selling homemade ice cream, jams, cherries, honey, and even pre-picked punnets if you don’t feel like crouching around in the fields for an hour. Their strawberry ice cream, in particular, is delicious<\/em>. <\/p>\n\n\n\nIf I had to criticise just one thing about Surf Coast Strawberry Fields, it would be their strict requirement that everybody who enters has to buy a punnet to fill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For adults, that’s a 500 gram punnet for $7 and for kids, it’s a 250 gram-er for $3. So yes, that does<\/em> mean that if you’re a family of two adults and three children, you’re going to come away from the experience with almost two kilograms of strawberries to attempt to eat before they go off. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\nDave and I didn’t want to land ourselves with so many strawberries between us, so we decided that only I would go in to pick them. It was a little disappointing, as we would have loved to have experienced this together. Alas! It wasn’t to be. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But I still had fun, wandering down the strawberry-lined aisles and ensuring I picked the freshest, sweetest ones for us to snack on that day. And I have to confess, these were some of the best strawberries I’ve ever had; unsurprisingly, far better than the ones you get from Colesworth, but for a similar price. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Surf Coast Strawberry Fields is open seven days a week during the strawberry season, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Note that they only accept cards for payment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/path><\/svg><\/span>Hit Up the Best Chocolate Shop in Victoria<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nWelcome to my favourite chocolate store in the world<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nI’m obsessed with the Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie that’s located mid-way between Torquay and Anglesea. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I love this store so much, in fact, that when we stopped in there during our most recent Great Ocean Road drive, I insisted we drive back past it again on our return to Melbourne. Their chocolates were so delicious that I needed another top-up! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Set in an expansive space, you’ve got every variety of chocolate you can think of, from white to ruby, in practically every shape you can imagine. There’s fudge, truffles, pralines, and even chocolate kangaroos, koalas, and wombats! As somebody with multiple dairy-free people in their life, I especially appreciated the large vegan chocolate offerings — not just a couple of token bars, there were dozens of flavours and styles — and even vegan easter eggs!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My personal favourite, though? The giant white chocolate polka dots that were the size of my head:<\/p>\n\n\n\nOn my return visit, I may have bought three more of these…<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nIn addition to all that delicious chocolate, the Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery offers a range of ice creams, sorbets, and gelatos, all made on site using local ingredients. There’s a cafe that serves cakes and other food, but I’d personally just stick to the chocolates and ice creams: it’s what they do best, after all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery is open seven days a week, from 9am to 5pm, and there’s no admission fee to enter. Don’t expect to leave without having spent at least $30 on chocolate, though! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/path><\/svg><\/span>Grab an Insta-Worthy Smoothie Bowl From Bowlz<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nWe love the rustic, cosy interior of Bowlz<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nBowlz is one of our favourite places for whenever we’re looking for a fresh, healthy meal. Let’s face it: as wonderful as it is to indulge on your holidays, do enough of it and you’ll be left craving nothing but vegetables.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You’ve got two main options here: smoothie bowls or salad bowls. The former is practically made for sharing on Instagram, with its bright, vibrant colours and nourishing ingredients. Our favourite option is the dragonfruit smoothie bowls, which are bright pink and topped with bananas, strawberries, raspberries, granola, coconut, almond flakes, and more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The salad bowls are even healthier, offering versions containing meat, seafood, or falafel for vegans, along with plenty of vegetables and a variety of dressings. Here, we always go for the Black Pearl: smoked salmon, edamame, lettuce, cucumber, vermicelli noodles, avocado, roasted peppers, and sliced pear, with a soy dressing. Yum!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you don’t feel like a full meal, it’s still worth popping in to check out their homemade smoothies and juices. The restaurant has a relaxed, casual atmosphere, making it a great place to hang out with friends and family or grab a quick drink on the go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bowlz is open seven days a week, from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., with both dine-in and takeout options available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/path><\/svg><\/span>Pick Up a New Read from Torquay Books<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nTorquay Books is such a delightful bookstore!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nTorquay Books might just have the friendliest staff in town. They’re always so cheerful, welcoming, and helpful, even at their busiest times of day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I personally love to pick up some new reading material whenever I’m on holiday, so I often find myself making a beeline for Torquay Books to select another great story. They’ve got a wide selection of genres up for grabs here, as well as cards, stationery, and gifts, so it’s well worth having a browse while you’re in town.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I recommend taking a look at their selection of coffee table books. They have several on the Great Ocean Road and local area, which make for a particularly fun souvenir to take home with you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/path><\/svg><\/span>Tiger Moth World Allows You to Get Up High<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe entrance to Tiger Moth World<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nIf you’ve been yearning to take on a unique form of adventure, Tiger Moth World is the place for you. This company has been operating flights over the Great Ocean Road for over 30 years now, but this isn’t just any old scenic flights company. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
No, this is a flights company that takes you up in the air in a vintage Tiger Moth plane from WWII, complete with open cockpit! Talk about a thrilling experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And there’s so many options for flights. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Their cheapest option is the 20-minute flight that takes you over to Bells Beach and back, which comes in at $325. A 40-minute flight over to Aireys Inlet will have you up for $595. And if you want to go all in and make it as far as Lorne, you’ll be in the air for 55 minutes (with your wallet $875 lighter by the end of it).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If that’s not enough adventure for you, you can opt for an aerobatic (available in gradations from mild to extreme) add-on to your flight, which, yes — is exactly what you’re thinking. Barrel rolls, stall turns, and loop the loops over one of the most scenic parts of the country? You can’t get more terrifying<\/s> exciting than that. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/path><\/svg><\/span>Go Rock Pooling at Point Danger Marine Sanctuary<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nYou can see why this is such a great spot for rock pooling! <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nPoint Danger Marine Sanctuary is a protected part of the coastline, home to a rich variety of marine life and ample opportunities for rock pooling. The best time for the latter is at low tide, when the beach’s shallow pools are exposed and accessible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The most bountiful rock pools are located just around the corner from Cosy Corner Beach, although best accessed via the stairs that lead down from Point Danger Lookout, pictured above. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
And there’s heaps to do in this part of Torquay. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
To start with, you have the viewpoint itself. Overlooking the Bass Strait, with Front Beach to the left and Back Beach (alternatively known as Torquay Surf Beach) to the right, this is a picturesque spot from which to take photos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In particular, Dave and I enjoyed comparing the relative calmness of the north-east to the wild swells of the south-west. Back in 1891, the S.S. Joseph H. Scammell was shipwrecked here, which helped give the headland its name of Point Danger: even on a sunny day, it’s easy to see why this part of the coast is tricky to navigate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the lookout, you’ll find Torquay Memorial, so do take a few minutes to pay your respects to those fallen heroes. The monument was erected in 1950 to commemorate the local soldiers who died during WWI and II, and has been added to over the years after further battles have commenced and ceased. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
At low tide, the aforementioned rock pooling is a fun-filled activity for anyone to participate in; there’s sealife aplenty to uncover down here. From sea stars to weedy sea dragons, to a whopping 96 species of sea slugs, you’ll never be starved for entertainment. Ensure you bring some sturdy shoes for the pools as there’s plenty of seaweed to keep things slippery. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you prefer to get up close and personal with your marine wildlife, this is a popular spot for snorkellers and occasionally even SCUBA divers. We do caution that there are often strong waves and a rocky seabed, so aim to do so on calmer days and only if you’re a strong swimmer. Eagle rays are often spotted on dives and you can sometimes make out dolphins splashing in the surf from shore. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/path><\/svg><\/span>Check the Time at the Beautiful Torquay Sundial <\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nStanding on the vibrantly-coloured Torquay sundial, and yes, it did show me the correct time!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nHow beautiful is this sundial?!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you’re a fan of admiring beautiful artwork or want to introduce the kids to the ingenuity of a sundial, this is definitely worth the short stop. Quite frankly, I couldn’t get over the fantastic condition of the mural! There were no scuffs or dirt anywhere on the piece, so it almost felt as though it had been installed that very day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The sundial is located close to Fishermans Beach and is actually a mosaic, comprising 120,000 brightly-coloured glass tiles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Traditionally, most sundials have a gnomon<\/em>, which is the name given to the upright point that casts a shadow over the correct time. At the Torquay sundial, however, you<\/em> get to the be the gnomon!<\/p>\n\n\n\nSimply stand on the current month on the eagle’s back, then see which number is suddenly cast in shade. And there you have the correct time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
(Unless it’s daylight savings time, in which case you’ll need to add one hour to the number).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/path><\/svg><\/span>Hit Up the Torquay Saturday Farmers Market<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nIf you happen to find yourself in Torquay on a Saturday morning, make sure you get yourself over to the local farmers market, which is held between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
There, you’ll find around 20 stalls offering a range of (mostly) locally-grown produce, including fruits and vegetables, bread, olives, figs, preserves, and more. We recommend getting there early, as some stalls do sell out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
There’s enough options for you to put together a little picnic to have in the nearby park — we recommend the roast pork spring rolls, in particular, for that. And don’t forget to try some of the freshly-picked apples; they’re some of the best we’ve ever eaten! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/path><\/svg><\/span>But the Cowrie Market is Even Better<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nWe thought we’d just spend a couple of minutes here, but ended up staying for two hours!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nIf you just so happen to find yourself in Torquay on the third Sunday of the month — between September and April — then you’re in for a real treat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Torquay Cowrie Market is one of the best art, craft, and food markets I’ve been to in all of Victoria; I was so impressed with all it had to offer! Every third Sunday, a whopping 150 artists rock up to Torquay’s Esplanade and begin to sell their wares. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can find so many one-of-a-kind items here: there was even a guy selling handmade guitars when we visited! You’ve got artwork, jewellery, soaps, spices, pottery, wooden toys, hot sauces, vintage clothes… the list goes on. Throw in more than a dozen food stalls, offering treats from around the world, and as many as 10 local musicians performing throughout each day, and you’ve got yourself a wonderful way to spend a day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I even brought my parents here while they were in town and they picked up some unique Great Ocean Road-themed artwork for their home from one of the artists — such a good souvenir! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/path><\/svg><\/span>Pick Up Something Unusual at The Pickers Place<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nYou can see why those vibrant colours drew us across the road to take a closer look<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nWe stumbled upon the Pickers Place by accident, but couldn’t have been happier about doing so, as this is such an unusual shopping experience in Torquay. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is the most un-antique store antique store in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As you can see from our photo above, the Pickers Place provides a colourful, eclectic wonderland for all, selling all manner of vintage items and clothes. You’re equally as likely to stumble across a full drum kit as you are a pair of embroidered jeans, a vintage camera as you are a new motorbike, and you’re able to browse the full range of items by wandering through a series of retro buses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
There truly is something for everyone at the Pickers Place, so we recommend spending at least 10 minutes browsing the myriad delights they have for sale. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/path><\/svg><\/span>Hit Up a Brewery (or Four)<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n4Pines Brewing Co. is home to a sunny beer garden that we love to sit in! <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nFor such a small town, Torquay is home to a remarkable number of breweries — four of them, in fact. If you like your beer, it’s well-worth checking out as many of them as you can. Here’s a round-up of the offerings, in order of our most to least favourite: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bells Beach Brewing:<\/strong> Bells Beach Brewing is home to the best tasting beer in Torquay, in our opinion. We recommend grabbing a tasting paddle and opting for the four beers that sound most interesting to you. There’s outdoor and indoor seating, a relaxed vibe, and even live music on occasion. <\/p>\n\n\n\nThe one downside to Bells Beach Brewing is that they don’t serve food! The other breweries on the list have restaurants on-site, so that does make them a slightly better proposition for a sunny lunchtime. There is a food truck beside the brewery that offers (admittedly very tasty) burgers (including a vegan option) and fries — and you can eat them in the brewery — but nothing beyond that. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Blackman’s Brewery:<\/strong> If you’re looking for excellent beers to pair with excellent food, then Blackman’s is the place to be. They offer up around 10 beers year-round with a couple of seasonal options now and then. As with the other breweries in Torquay, you can opt for a tasting paddle; theirs offers up six of their beers to sample, and we’re particular fans of their wildberry sour.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIn terms of food, Blackman’s is known for their tasty range of pizzas, but they also serve fish and chips, burgers, and other pub-style dishes. They have a sunny beer garden and a spacious interior, but I’d still recommend making a reservation if you’re planning on visiting during the weekend. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
4Pines Brewing Co.:<\/strong> 4Pines is a great brewery, with excellent beers and delicious meals. 4Pines is a fairly well-known brewer, with over a dozen brewpubs across the east coast of the country, and has a selection of around ten different beers on tap. Order a flight with five of your favourite styles ($25) and see which one grabs you! <\/p>\n\n\n\nThe food is great here, too, with particularly tasty tacos on the menu, along with salads, burgers, and standard pub dishes. But really: it’s all about the tacos!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sou’west Brewery:<\/strong> The beer hall is Sou’West’s biggest drawcard: quite literally, as it seats over 200 people! If you’re after an Oktoberfest vibe on the Surf Coast, here’s where you’ll find it. <\/p>\n\n\n\nThere’s a smaller tasting room if you’re looking for somewhere a little quieter, along with a family room where you can park the kids in the playground while you enjoy a crisp ale or two. With a wide selection of food on the menu, too, this is a good choice if you’re travelling with pickier eaters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/path><\/svg><\/span>You Have to Try the Fish and Chips From Fishos<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nOn a sunny lunchtime in Torquay, there’s nowhere we’d rather be than Fishos<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nWe’ll end the article now with an amusing anecdote. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before our first ever trip to Torquay, I’d heard through the grapevine that Fishos offers up some of the best fish and chips on the entire Great Ocean Road. It was all I needed to know in order to start planning my visit. I found its location on Google Maps and promptly added it to my favourites. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Several days later, when Dave and I were lounging on Front Beach, lunchtime rolled around. I was craving some fresh fish and chips, so I dutifully pulled out my phone, and set my destination for Fishos. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Imagine my dismay, then, when after 20 minutes of walking, I finally arrived but simply could not see a fish and chip shop anywhere. Well, it turned out that I had somehow managed to favourite a street called Fishos Drive on my map and was now standing on it, two kilometres from where I needed to be. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Learn from my mistake: there are two Fishos related landmarks in Torquay, but only one of them serves up fantastic flake and crispy chips. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all seriousness, Fishos is a fantastic spot for lunch or dinner, with delectable seafood (the gummy shark tacos are wonderful) and a beachside location — and yes, it really does serve some of the best fish and chips on the Great Ocean Road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nAll images copyright Everything Victoria<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"There’s so many things to do in Torquay. From beaches to wineries, berry-picking to surfing, plus plenty of hikes and viewpoints.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":3514,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,15],"tags":[45,44,43],"yoast_head":"\n
23 Phenomenal Things to Do in Torquay (Our 2024 Guide)<\/title>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n