Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Surfing
With its exposure to the relentless Southern Ocean swell, Victoria's rugged coastline
provides plenty of quality surf. But the chilly water (even in summer) has even the hardiest
surfer reaching for a wetsuit. A full-length 3mm- to 4mm-thick wetsuit is the standard for
winter, and booties, helmets and even wetsuit gloves might make that extra-long session a
bit easier.
Great Ocean Road
The best waves (and variety) are to be found along the Great Ocean Road. No other surf
beach in Australia is more celebrated than Bells Beach. It plays host to the Rip Curl Pro
(
Click here
)
every Easter, bringing an international entourage of pro surfers, sponsors and
spectators. Just up the road, local and international surfers gravitate to Torquay. The town is
home to legendary brands Quicksilver and Rip Curl, as well as the largest surf lifesaving
club in the state. Here you'll find mega surf shops at Surf City Plaza, the Surfworld Mu-
seum and plenty of surf schools.
Further along the Great Ocean Road, the Shipwreck Coast (
Click here
), west of Cape Ot-
way as far as Peterborough, offers the most powerful waves in Victoria. It faces southwest
and is open to the sweeping swells of the Southern Ocean. The swell is consistently up to
1m higher than elsewhere, making it the place to go if you're after big waves. Extreme care
must be taken, however, as some breaks are isolated, subject to strong rips and undertows,
and are generally only for the experienced surfer. It's probably best to surf with someone
who knows the area.
Popular places with surf schools include Anglesea and Lorne.
South & East of Melbourne
Back beaches at Portsea, Sorrento, Blairgowrie, Rye, St Andrews, Gunnamatta, Cape
Schanck and Flinders on the Mornington Peninsula are among the most popular spots, but
they can be fairly wild so check with locals before heading out. The same applies to the le-
gendary Quarantine break at Point Nepean National Park. On Phillip Island, Cape
Woolamai (
Click here
)
is also popular with experienced surfers. Smiths Beach on Phillip
Island, Inverloch and Lakes Entrance are good for beginners.
