Australia’s popular tourist destination
Victoria’s Surf Coast with its spectacular coastline, scenic rainforests and magnificent beaches, is one of the tourist draw cards of Australia. The Surf Coast Shire is among the fastest growing regional municipalities in Victoria. The main population centres include; Torquay; well known for its surf related industries, Bells Beach; home of the Rip Curl Pro, Winchelsea; gateway to the fertile Western District, leafy Anglesea, and the beautiful resort town of Lorne. Large numbers of holidaymakers and visitors stay in the Shire at peak season. The Great Ocean Road, which starts in Torquay, attracts over 2.5 million travellers annually.
The permanent population on the Surf Coast is 29,397 (2016 Census) which more than trebles at peak holiday times. With only 75 minutes between Torquay and the City of Melbourne via V/Line trains, many Surf Coast residents are also able to commute to work.