Highlights:

• Iconic Bells Beach surf beach

• Historic Split Point Lighthouse

• Point Addis scenic lookouts

• Coastal towns with local provedores

Brief:

⏱ Duration: 2-3 Days
🗺 Distance: 45 km
⛰ Difficulty: Easy
🗓 Best Time: All year
🛏 Accomm: Cabins, motels, resorts.

Surf Coast Walk - Walk Overview

Victoria’s Great Ocean Road between Torquay and Allansford is one of the world’s most famous and scenic coastal drives. However, there is another slower way to explore Victoria’s acclaimed Surf Coast and learn about the birthplace of Australian surfing. Officially opened in 2012, Victoria’s Surf Coast Walk covers 45 kilometres of rugged coastline featuring sweeping ocean beaches, clifftop vantage points, lush bushland and abundant wildlife. In addition to the mighty surf seascapes, walkers get to enjoy the vibrant coastal towns of Torquay, Anglesea and Aireys Inlet.

This walk starts just outside Torquay which is the largest town along the Surf Coast with many shops, cafes and restaurants offering fresh local produce. Torquay is a place to immerse yourself in all things surf including the Surfworld Museum and many surfing retail outlets. The trail then heads towards Jan Juc village and links a string of spectacular clifftop lookouts that feature grand ocean and hinterland vistas. Famous Bells Beach is the perfect spot to watch local surfers brave the often fearsome surf breaks. Each Easter, Bells Beach hosts the Rip Curl professional surfing championships and has an international reputation as one of Australia’s best surf beaches.

It’s not all about beaches on the Surf Coast Walk as there are also some beautiful hinterland sections within the unique woodland wilderness of the Great Otway National Park. The trail through Ironbark Basin enters sheltered forest and heathlands which are home to abundant wildlife and flora. Further on, the quaint surf town of Anglesea offers a mix of heath, ochre cliffs, sandy beach plus riverside walking. This area is great for spotting kangaroos, wallabies and echidnas. The Springtime flowers are another highlight plus rare orchids and grasstrees.

En route to the walk’s end at Aireys Inlet, the trail passes the sculpted rock formations of Point Roadknight, the towering cliffs of Urquhart Bluff and the secluded cove of Sunnymead. The historic Split Point Lighthouse is a stunning conclusion to this magnificent walk. Tours of this working lighthouse are available daily and provide an opportunity to learn about some of the local maritime history of this treacherous Shipwreck Coast. The lighthouse also offers fabulous 360 degree views of the surrounding area plus the chance to spot dolphins or migratory whales (the latter between June and October).

The Surf Coast Walk is well maintained and graded easy. It is readily accessible by car or public transport (train, then bus) with Torquay being located 103 kilometres southwest of Melbourne. We can help you book a walking holiday along the Surf Coast Walk and assist with transport, accommodation and travel insurance.

Further information:

• For more information on doing the Surf Coast Walk, click the button below. We can help you to plan and book your Surf Coast Walk adventure (guided or self-guided). Ask about our three day / two night self-guided packages; all the planning has been done for you - just nominate your dates.

• For more information on walking in the Great Otway National Park and on the Surf Coast, click the button below:

Surf Coast Walk - Route Map

A route map for the Surf Coast Walk Walk is set out below. The mark ‘A’ indicates the official starting point at Point Impossible (just outside Torquay) and ‘B’ the finish at Fairhaven. There’s no particular advantage walking towards Fairhaven, except that there’s less ‘walking into the sun’ on hot days.