Torquay Tours and Great Ocean Road Trips from Torquay in 2026

Why stay in Torquay?

Torquay is where the Great Ocean Road starts to feel like a coastal trip, not a drive out of Melbourne. The Torquay Visitor Information Centre describes it as about 95 km southwest of Melbourne, the official start of the Great Ocean Road, Victoria’s surfing capital and the home of Bells Beach.

You wake up on the coast. On a Great Ocean Road day that means you skip the suburbs and freeway that Melbourne day tours spend their first hour or more on. If you want a night here, browse stays in Torquay.

Is Torquay a good base for the Great Ocean Road?

Yes, particularly for:

• Bells Beach
• Anglesea
• Aireys Inlet
• Memorial Arch
• Lorne
• Surf Coast walks
• surf lessons
• cycling

It also works for a full-day Twelve Apostles trip. But if the Twelve Apostles are your main reason for coming and you have several days, Apollo Bay or Port Campbell put you much closer.

Torquay works best as:

• the first night of a Great Ocean Road trip
• a surf-focused stay
• a base for the eastern Great Ocean Road instead of Melbourne

Can you join a Great Ocean Road tour from Torquay?

Yes, but check the pickup carefully. Most Great Ocean Road tours are sold as Melbourne departures, even though Torquay is their first major stop, and only some operators will collect you there.

Bunyip Tours is the clearest case. Reseller listings for its small-group day tour show Torquay as a meeting point at 7:00 am, and the tour also picks up from selected Melbourne hotels. Contact Bunyip before you book to confirm the exact Torquay spot for your date.

If you are already on the Surf Coast, that saves you Torquay → Melbourne → Torquay → Great Ocean Road: you simply join the tour locally.

Full-day Great Ocean Road tour from Torquay

A full-day tour from Torquay is still a long day. You start closer to the scenic road than someone in Melbourne, but the Twelve Apostles are still far to the west.

Bunyip’s day tour runs about 13 hours from the Torquay meeting point. A typical full-day route from Torquay covers:

• Torquay Front Beach
• the Great Ocean Road through Anglesea and Lorne
• Kennett River
• Apollo Bay
• Maits Rest in the Otways
• Gibson Steps
• the Twelve Apostles
• Loch Ard Gorge
• an inland return via Colac

Stops vary by operator and by day. The list shows how much fits into one day, and also why the day stays long.

What should a tour from Torquay include?

For a first visit, look for:

1. the coastal section of the Great Ocean Road
2. Lorne or another coastal town stop
3. Apollo Bay
4. Otways rainforest
5. the Twelve Apostles
6. Loch Ard Gorge

Good extras are a wildlife stop, Gibson Steps, Cape Patton and London Bridge.

Do not worry if Torquay itself is not on the sightseeing list. If you are staying there, you can explore it on your own time.

Torquay to the Twelve Apostles: how long does it take?

Driving from Torquay to the Twelve Apostles along the Great Ocean Road takes several hours without stops. The route runs through Anglesea, Aireys Inlet, Lorne, Apollo Bay, Great Otway National Park and the Shipwreck Coast. It is one of the most scenic drives in Australia, and it is slow: the road winds along the cliffs for long stretches.

If you do it in one day, start early. If you have two days, stay near Apollo Bay or Port Campbell.

Guided tour or self-drive from Torquay?

Choose a guided tour if:

• you do not have a car
• nobody wants to drive
• you want commentary
• you prefer organised stops
• you want to rest on the way back

Choose self-drive if:

• you already have a rental car
• you want to stop often
• photography matters
• you want to stay overnight
• you want full control over timing

For one day, a guided tour is convenient. For two or three days, driving yourself gets much more attractive. Our tour versus self-drive guide compares costs and effort.

Torquay vs Melbourne for Great Ocean Road tours

Torquay advantages

In Torquay you are already on the Surf Coast, close to Bells Beach, at the eastern start of the Great Ocean Road and past the Melbourne traffic. More of your day goes on the coast.

Melbourne advantages

Melbourne has far more departures, pickup points and operators, easier access for international visitors and much more accommodation.

If you are already staying in Melbourne, there is no need to move to Torquay to join a tour. If you are planning a Great Ocean Road road trip, Torquay makes a good first night; our road-trip itineraries start there.

Things to do in Torquay: local tours and experiences

Torquay’s own tours lean towards surfing and outdoor activities, unlike the sightseeing tours that leave from Melbourne.

1. Surf lesson in Torquay

This is the obvious Torquay experience. The Learn to Surf at Torquay on the Great Ocean Road lesson on Viator (5.0/5 from 113 reviews, from US$67) runs for two hours and includes instruction, a surfboard and a wetsuit. It is designed for beginners, and you do not need any surfing experience.

It is one of the easiest ways to add an activity to a Great Ocean Road trip without giving up a whole day.

Who should book it?

Beginners, teenagers, active families, solo travellers and couples. No previous surfing is needed.

2. Private surf lesson

Surf schools in Torquay also offer private coaching. It makes sense if you already surf, want to progress faster, prefer one-to-one teaching or feel nervous in a group lesson. A private lesson costs considerably more than a group session.

3. Bells Beach

You do not need a tour to visit Bells Beach. With a car it is a short drive from Torquay. A guide helps if you want the surf history, local stories, photography tips or a wider Surf Coast day.

Bells Beach is world-famous for surfing and is the best-known sight around Torquay.

Is Bells Beach good if you do not surf?

Yes. The cliffs and lookouts make it worth a stop even if you never go in the water. A short visit fits into a half-day Surf Coast trip, a Torquay day or the start of a Great Ocean Road drive. There is no big visitor attraction here; you come for the coastline and the surf culture.

4. Australian National Surfing Museum

If surfing history interests you, this is one of the most relevant places in Torquay. It explains how the town became the centre of Australian surf culture and the home of major surf brands. It is a good choice on a rainy day, on a short stay or on a surf-themed trip.

5. Bike tours and bike hire

The Surf Coast also has bike hire, mountain bike tours and bike shuttle services. Cycling gives you a more active alternative to a sightseeing coach.

Torquay half-day trip ideas

Torquay is much better than Melbourne for a true half-day on the Great Ocean Road, because you start at its eastern end. Our half-day guide covers the same stretch from Melbourne.

Half-day option 1: Bells Beach, Anglesea and Aireys Inlet

Torquay → Bells Beach → Anglesea → Aireys Inlet → Torquay

You get surf beaches, cliff views and the Split Point lighthouse at Aireys Inlet, with short drives between them. It is one of the best short itineraries from Torquay.

Half-day option 2: Memorial Arch and Lorne

Torquay → Anglesea → Memorial Arch → Lorne → Torquay

Choose this if you want to feel you have driven a real part of the Great Ocean Road. Allow time for Memorial Arch, Lorne and the coastal pull-outs.

Half-day option 3: surf lesson and Bells Beach

Morning surf lesson → lunch in Torquay → Bells Beach

A simple active day that shows you Torquay without spending it in the car.

Can you do Lorne from Torquay?

Yes. Lorne is a natural day or half-day trip from Torquay, through Anglesea, Aireys Inlet, Memorial Arch and a string of coastal lookouts. It is the best short Great Ocean Road drive from Torquay. To stay a night, browse stays in Lorne.

Can you do Apollo Bay from Torquay?

Yes. Apollo Bay works well as a full-day outing. You can stop at Bells Beach, Memorial Arch, Lorne, Kennett River and the coastal lookouts, and reach Apollo Bay for lunch or an afternoon stop. If you then continue to the Twelve Apostles, it becomes a much longer day.

Can you do the Twelve Apostles from Torquay in one day?

Yes, and plenty of people do. Treat it as a full-day trip, not a quick excursion. A good self-drive route is:

Torquay → Lorne → Apollo Bay → Otways → Twelve Apostles → Loch Ard Gorge → inland return

If you are going back to Torquay the same evening, take the faster inland route after the Shipwreck Coast.

A one-day self-drive itinerary from Torquay

Here is a practical route for a first visit.

7:00 am: leave Torquay

You can start earlier than visitors driving from Melbourne without a pre-dawn alarm.

8:00 am: Lorne

A short stop or a coffee. You may already have seen Bells Beach and the eastern Surf Coast during your stay, so there is no need to repeat them.

9:30 am: Apollo Bay

Breakfast, coffee or a short walk on the beach.

10:30 am: the Otways

Pick one rainforest walk. Maits Rest is one of the easiest.

12:30–1:00 pm: Twelve Apostles

Spend 45 to 60 minutes.

2:00 pm: Loch Ard Gorge

Allow about 45 minutes.

3:00 pm: Port Campbell

Lunch or a snack if you need it.

4:00 pm: start the drive back

Take the inland route. It is a long day, but a manageable one.

Should you include London Bridge?

If you left Torquay early and the day is running on time, yes. London Bridge is west of Port Campbell and suits photographers, anyone curious about the geology and travellers who want more of the Shipwreck Coast. It adds time, though, so skip it if you are tired. The Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge come first. Our London Bridge guide has the details.

One day or overnight?

If you can spare the night, stay. Two days is much better.

Day 1

Torquay → Lorne → Apollo Bay, and stay in Apollo Bay.

Day 2

Apollo Bay → Otways → Twelve Apostles → Loch Ard Gorge → Port Campbell → Torquay

You spend much more of the trip out of the car.

Torquay to Apollo Bay overnight trip

This is the relaxed first taste of the Great Ocean Road. Day 1 can include Anglesea, Aireys Inlet, Memorial Arch, Lorne, wildlife stops and Apollo Bay; browse stays in Apollo Bay. The next day, drive back to Torquay or continue west.

Torquay to Port Campbell overnight trip

This suits you better if the Twelve Apostles are the main reason for the trip.

Torquay → Lorne → Apollo Bay → Otways → Twelve Apostles → Port Campbell

Stay the night in Port Campbell (browse stays). The next morning you can see the Twelve Apostles again, then Loch Ard Gorge, London Bridge and The Grotto before driving back.

Private Great Ocean Road tour from Torquay

A private tour is especially useful from Torquay because the pickup is easy to change. Private Great Ocean Road and Twelve Apostles tours can usually start from your Torquay accommodation; ask when you book. The Private Great Ocean Road Tour (5.0/5 from 10 reviews, from US$789) is the best-rated private option in our catalogue, though from a small number of reviews.

Private touring suits families, groups, photographers, seniors and anyone who wants to skip Melbourne entirely. The downside is the price. For one or two people a shared tour costs far less; for four to seven people the cost per person gets much closer. Our private tours page compares the options.

Shared tour pickup from Torquay

Check this before you book a private tour. Bunyip’s day tour lists Torquay as a meeting point, subject to arrangement, and you need to contact the operator in advance. Other operators may arrange something similar even when their product page only mentions Melbourne pickups, so ask.

What about drop-off in Torquay?

Do not assume a Melbourne tour will drop you in Torquay just because it drives past. Many tours return to Melbourne inland, away from Torquay, so a drop-off can be harder to arrange than a pickup. If you want both a Torquay pickup and a Torquay return, confirm both in writing before you book.

Torquay pickup or a Melbourne tour: which is better value?

If you are staying in Torquay, a local pickup is better value because it saves you the trip into the city. Melbourne gives you more operators to choose from.

Book with a Torquay pickup if:

• a suitable tour is available
• you like the itinerary
• the price is reasonable

Travel to Melbourne only if:

• the tour you want is clearly better
• no Torquay pickup is possible
• you are heading back to Melbourne anyway

Going into Melbourne just to join a tour that drives back through Torquay wastes the morning.

Is Torquay good without a car?

Yes, for the town itself. You can enjoy the beaches, surf lessons, cafes and the surfing museum without driving. For the rest of the Great Ocean Road, a car or an organised tour helps far more. Public transport cannot match the flexibility of a tour.

Best time of year for Torquay tours

Torquay works all year. Our best time for a Great Ocean Road tour guide has the month-by-month detail.

Summer

Best for beaches, surf lessons, long daylight and road trips. The downsides are busy school holidays, traffic and parking.

Autumn

Good for road trips, walking and surfing, with fewer people than in summer.

Winter

Good for watching big surf, a wilder coast and quieter roads. Expect wind, rain and cold.

Spring

Good for active trips, walking, longer daylight and greener landscapes. The weather stays changeable.

Is Torquay worth an overnight stay?

Yes, particularly if surfing interests you, you arrive from Melbourne late, you want an easy start to the Great Ocean Road or you do not want to drive the whole route in one day. It is a weaker base if you want to see the Twelve Apostles more than once; for that, stay farther west.

Torquay or Lorne?

Torquay

Better for surfing, Bells Beach, easy access from Melbourne, a first night and the eastern Surf Coast.

Lorne

Better for the Great Ocean Road atmosphere, waterfalls, coastal lookouts and being farther west.

Choose Torquay if surf culture matters to you. Choose Lorne if the road trip itself matters more.

Torquay or Apollo Bay?

Torquay

Better for short Surf Coast trips, access from Melbourne and Bells Beach.

Apollo Bay

Better for the Otways, reaching the Twelve Apostles the next day and a multi-day Great Ocean Road trip.

With only two nights on the road, spend the second one farther west, not both in Torquay.

Torquay or Port Campbell?

They do different jobs. Torquay is the start of the road; Port Campbell is the base for the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, London Bridge and the Shipwreck Coast. If the Twelve Apostles are your priority, stay in Port Campbell.

What to bring on a Torquay tour

For local touring:

• a light waterproof
• sunscreen
• a hat
• sunglasses
• comfortable shoes
• water

For a surf lesson, add swimwear and a towel. Beginner lessons normally include the board and wetsuit.

For a full Great Ocean Road day, add a warm layer, a waterproof jacket, snacks, a power bank and a camera. The temperature on the coast can drop quickly.

Torquay tours FAQ

Is Torquay the start of the Great Ocean Road?

Yes. The Torquay Visitor Information Centre describes Torquay as the official start of the Great Ocean Road.

How far is Torquay from Melbourne?

About 95 km southwest of Melbourne, roughly 90 minutes by car from the city centre.

Can you join a Great Ocean Road tour from Torquay?

Yes. Some operators offer or can arrange a Torquay pickup. Always confirm it before you book.

Does Bunyip pick up in Torquay?

Reseller listings for Bunyip’s small-group day tour show Torquay as a 7:00 am meeting point. Contact Bunyip to confirm the exact spot for your date.

Can you tour the Twelve Apostles from Torquay?

Yes. Treat it as a full-day trip.

Is there a full-day Great Ocean Road tour from Torquay?

Yes. Bunyip’s day tour can start in Torquay and runs about 13 hours, and private tours can start from your Torquay accommodation.

What are the best local Torquay tours?

Surf lessons, private surf coaching, cycling and Surf Coast trips to Bells Beach and Aireys Inlet.

How much is a Torquay surf lesson?

The two-hour beginner lesson on Viator costs from US$67, with the board and wetsuit included.

Is Bells Beach worth visiting?

Yes, even if you do not surf. Come for the cliffs and the lookouts.

Can you do Lorne as a half-day trip?

Yes. Torquay to Lorne is one of the best short Great Ocean Road drives.

Can you do Apollo Bay in one day?

Yes. It makes a very good day trip from Torquay.

Is Torquay better than Melbourne for the Great Ocean Road?

If you are already staying there, yes for the eastern end of the road, because you skip the drive out of Melbourne. Melbourne has more tour departures.

Do you need a car in Torquay?

Not for the town itself. For the wider Great Ocean Road, a car or a tour makes it much easier.

Should I stay in Torquay or Port Campbell?

Torquay for surfing and the eastern end of the road; Port Campbell for the Twelve Apostles and the Shipwreck Coast.

The bottom line

Torquay is a very good Great Ocean Road base if you want more than a quick photo stop on a Melbourne coach tour. You can learn to surf, visit Bells Beach, explore the Surf Coast, drive to Lorne, take a full-day trip to the Twelve Apostles, join a tour with a Torquay pickup or start a multi-day road trip without going back to Melbourne.

For a short stay, drive Torquay → Bells Beach → Aireys Inlet → Memorial Arch → Lorne. For a full day, continue to Apollo Bay → Otways → Twelve Apostles → Loch Ard Gorge. And if you are sleeping in Torquay, ask your tour operator for a local pickup before you book, because it saves you a return trip to Melbourne.

Sources and current conditions

Checked 28 October 2026. The distance from Melbourne and the “official start” description come from the Torquay Visitor Information Centre; Bunyip’s Torquay meeting point and tour length come from reseller listings of its small-group day tour; GetYourGuide and Viator ratings and prices come from our October 2026 catalogue.

• Visit Great Ocean Road: Torquay Visitor Information Centre

GetYourGuide and Viator prices are in US dollars and will differ from Australian-dollar prices on the operators’ own sites.

Plan the rest of your trip

Half-day options · Road-trip itineraries · Small-group tours · Private tours · Twelve Apostles tours · Grampians tours