Best beaches...

It's no exaggeration when we say that the Surf Coast has some of Australia’s best beaches. Kilometres of clean, golden sand, gentle waves and coves for families, big, glassy waves for surfers, great fishing spots and plenty of opportunities to sail or go boating.

The Surf Coast has many beautiful beaches, not just for swimming, but some for rock pool rambling, boating and surfing. Several beaches are patrolled by professional lifeguards during January school holidays and resident surf clubs throughout the year. Swimmers should check with local surf clubs for the location of rips, patrol areas and safety measures. Many tour operators also provide lessons, eg learn-to-surf, plus excursions around rock pools and the foreshore to learn about the marine and coastal environment, flora and fauna.
Patrolled beaches in summer:

Torquay front beach
Long stretch of foreshore lined with Norfolk pines and lawn. Suitable for swimming and wind-surfing. Amenities include extensive car parking, barbecues, seating, public toilets, Torquay play park regional playground at Yellow Bluff and fantastic views of the coast from Pt Danger. Cosy Corner to the south of Pt Danger is a favourite place for families, providing a sheltered beach with rock pools and shallow waters. Boat ramp at Fishermans Beach

Torquay surf beach (back beach)
Home of Torquay Surf Life Saving Club. It is a favourite surfing spot for people of all ages.

Jan Juc
A surf beach favoured by local surfers, also home to Jan Juc Surf Life Saving Club. Has car parking, public toilets and great viewing platforms from the top of the cliffs. Also is the start of the 30km Surf Coast Walk and where local conservation groups have mounted a major revegetation program to protect the delicate coast.

Anglesea front beach
The beach is a popular spot, with local families and visitors alike, for swimming and surfing. The long, wide sandy beach is at the mouth of the Anglesea River and is home to the Anglesea Surf Life Saving Club. There is ample car parking and there are public toilets. The beach is not far from the Anglesea shopping precinct. The river provides further opportunities for recreation, including windsurfing and canoeing.

Point Roadknight
The sheltered waters of the beautiful bay beach at Pt Roadknight, just along from Anglesea, is popular with all ages, especially families with young children. The beach also is a favourite spot for sailing and windsurfing. There is a boat ramp, plenty of parking and public toilets. Spectacular rock formations are part of the surrounding scenery.

Aireys Inlet
Popular swimming and surfing beaches. These long sandy beaches also are popular for surf-fishing. There are parking and toilet facilities. Many opportunities for beach, cliff and bush walks in the area.

Fairhaven
A wide stretch of coastline favoured by experienced surfers. Can experience rough conditions. Home of the Fairhaven Surf Life Saving Club. Scenic views from nearby Split Point, site of historic lighthouse. Cliff-top walks, lookouts.

Lorne
The swimming beach is on Loutit Bay and is very popular with all age groups. When conditions are right, the beach also provides clean waves for surfers. Lorne surf club is located on the beach. There is a playground, extensive public amenities, including a boat ramp, car parking, plus a temporary skate park.

Fishing options

The fish are biting all along the Surf Coast with plenty of opportunity for fishing from rocks, beaches, boats and piers. Fishing licences are needed for everyone over 16, except pensioners. You should be careful when fishing from rocks and surf beaches. Tides should also be considered.
TORQUAY Fishermans Beach: Whiting, snapper, gummy sharks, mulloway. Low tide, evenings. Zeally Bay: Mainly whiting. Boat ramp, beach (high tide). Morning, evening. Spring Creek: Bream, mullet, silver trevally, salmon trout.
JAN JUC Front beach: Salmon, gummy shark (after dark) BELLS BEACH :whiting.
POINT ADDIS North: Flounder, mullet, garfish, salmon. Fish on rising tide, evenings. Access down steps.
South: Salmon, mulloway, flathead. Evenings, on incoming tide.
ANGLESEA Anglesea River mouth: Whiting, mainly small snapper.
Anglesea River: Black bream, other bream. Access only on north bank to Bingley Parade. Platforms, piers.
Pt Roadknight: Mullet, flounder, garfish, salmon, snapper, shark, sweep. Boat ramp should be used with care. Ledge at point excellent low tide, calm days Pt Roadknight South: Small snapper. Very reefy, usually rough. Best on low tide.
HUTT GULLY Snapper, salmon, King George whiting. Fish on low tide.
URQUHARTS BLUFF Mainly small salmon.
AIREYS INLETPainkalac Creek: Bream, estuary perch. Bambra Rd area popular and accessible.
FAIRHAVEN Beach: Salmon
MOGGS CREEK Creek mouth: Mullet, salmon. Very popular for salmon.
Moggs Creek/Eastern View: Salmon, snapper. On the rising tide, evenings and after dark for salmon. Bottom of tide produces snapper, only when tide is far enough out to give access to deep water.
EASTERN VIEW Spout Creek: Sweep, various rock fish. Come around headland to Grassy Creek and deep gutter through main reef. Wide variety of fish caught here.
GRASSY CREEK Grassy Creek mouth: Mullet. Fish caught on the high tide. There are several rock platforms across Grassy Creek. Twenty minutes walk from car park. Take care.
LORNE Reedy Creek: Whiting, snapper, salmon. Series of good ledges for experienced anglers only. Best of an evening, particularly in choppy conditions.
Loutit Bay: Blue sharks, gummy sharks, occasional salmon. Fishes well of a night.
Lorne beach: Boat ramp. Unsafe when swell running. Very small craft can be launched off the sand from the righ-hand side of the pier.

TIPS

• Headlands and platforms: Low tide
• Beach: Last half of run-out tide, follow incoming the evening tide.
• Snapper: September to March, mainly near rocks.
• Salmon: Winter
• Mullet: All year, all beaches
• Garfish: Late summer-winter
• Bream: Mainly summer

Take in the towns

The Great Ocean Road links the Surf Coast’s towns and villages along the way. Distances between towns are not great and you will find yourself wanting to stop at them all.
Torquay, Australia’s “surf city”, is the largest, with a population around 6000. Nearby Anglesea nestles into a dense forest backdrop. Next major centre is Aireys Inlet, followed by Lorne, one of the most-popular destinations on the Great Ocean Road. All draw big crowds in the summer.