Torquay, originally know as Spring Creek, is a popular seaside town with holiday makers and one of the great surfing beaches found along the Great Ocean Road. Its popularity stems from its close proximity and ease of access to Melbourne which improved substantially in recent years with the opening of the Geelong Ring Road.
Early morning near the Surf Life Savings Club
The area was originally occupied by the Wathaurong people for more than 40,000 years before white settlement occurred around 1871. It was bountiful country for the Wathaurong with shellfish, mussels and oysters available all year round on the coastline and the grasslands inland providing significant grazing animals for hunting.
The Europeans modelled the beach front on European beaches with grass park lands and trees lining the beach.
Front beach Torquay
This area remains popular with families today with BBQ's, outdoor showers and toilets all available.
The Joseph Scammell was shipwrecked on the reef at Point Danger in 1891. Everyone was rescued from the ship but much of its cargo was looted by locals. Its anchor lay in the ocean for more than 80 years before being recovered and is now on display in the park at Front Beach.
The Torquay Surf Life Savings Club opened in 1946 and is considered to be the oldest and largest club in Victoria. These clubs and their dedicated members play an important part in Australian seaside towns patrolling beaches, rescuing people in trouble and forming a social hub for the Community.
Torquay is one of the busiest beaches in Victoria and club members patrol the beach for more than 3,000 hours and perform between 20 and 30 rescues each year. On weekends in the summer you'll find Nippers (young children) being trained on the beach, its a great sight as it means the next generation of life savers are being formed.
Torquay has grown substantially and now has a number of golf courses and hotels including the newly opened RACV Torquay Resort. The Resort has accommodation, a range of restaurants, a day spa and the Torquay Golf Club.
RACV Torquay Golf Club
If camping or caravanning is your holiday of choice these are well catered for at Torquay with Barwon Caravan Park, Torquay Holiday Park and Torquay Caravan Park.
Torquay has a range of restaurants, cafes and shops including a large and popular range of surf clothing outlets at Surf City Plaza.
1 day Great Ocean Road Tour
2 day Great Ocean Road Tour
3 day Great Ocean Road Tour
3 day Melbourne to Adelaide Tour
4 day Melbourne to Adelaide Tour
