The 16 best parks and gardens in Torquay

Very interesting and comprehensive museum. Everything from, Australian, local history and international. Great photos and examples of surfers, boards, competitions, trophies. A large theatre shows a very well put together film history with great information about many aspects of surfing life, famous faces and board development and manufacture. Great gift shop and welcoming staff.

A Memorable Visit to the Australian National Surfing Museum – Where History Meets the Ocean Spirit A friend and I recently visited the Australian National Surfing Museum, and it turned out to be far more than just a stop on our weekend itinerary, it was a journey through Australia’s deep connection with the ocean and the art of surfing. From the moment we stepped inside, we were immersed in an atmosphere that celebrated both sport and culture. The museum’s collection of vintage surfboards and memorabilia tells a powerful story of evolution, of how surfing shaped communities, lifestyles, and even attitudes toward the sea. We couldn’t help but laugh as we tried the interactive surfing simulators; balancing on those boards (without actual waves!) proved to be both humbling and hilarious. What truly stood out was the museum’s ability to blend education with emotion. Every exhibit seemed to honor not just the athletes, but the pioneers who turned surfing into a symbol of freedom and connection. The visuals, the storytelling, and even the soundtrack of rolling waves made the experience feel alive. As we left, we found ourselves reflecting on how surfing isn’t merely a sport, it’s a philosophy of movement, balance, and respect for nature. Visiting the Australian National Surfing Museum reminded me that great experiences don’t just teach us about history, they invite us to feel part of it.

It's a small, but lovely museum. Staff is friendly. The exhibition tells you how Australia became a surf country, thanks to Hawaiian surfers. It also teaches you about the evolution of the boards. It does, however, feel more like a local surf museum rather than a national one. As a non surfer (there's no surfing possible where I live), I would have loved to learn more about the surfing itself. Technique explanations, the best spots of Australia explained, etc are a few topics that would be a great addition. Other than that, I enjoyed it. The family rate of $25 is a fair price, when you come with 2 young children.

A great museum where I learnt a lot about Australian surfing champions. Saw surfboards from the original wooden ones with no fins to the up to date lightweight boards with 3 fins. A tour guide took us around and his explanations were great, including a movie of surfers catching some huge waves.

Fantastic experience, really enjoyed learning about surfing history particularly the history within Australia and all the competitions, would love to see more on Aboriginal culture and surfing history in future but really enjoyed it. I loved the gift shop too, lots of cool local goodies and very friendly staff, cheers :)

We loved it. It's a small museum but full of history. I really recommend going and spending a couple of hours watching all the surf boards, wetsuits, etc reading the history behind each item.

A great Museum bought back many memories of the younger surfing days

Such a beautiful beach.I love being there and amercing myself in nature, such a sense of freedom 😁 I have been a regular for roughly twenty years. And I have introduced many people to experience spending time on the beach. I do have some safety concerns. The path from the carpark to the beach. I have come away a few times with skin missing of my knee. ☹️ Not a nice way to end your day. So to prevent falls, I’m hoping the council would consider upgrading as they have done at Whites Beach. 😊❤️👍🏼

Gravel road access that gets corrugated and has the benefit of discouraging lots of people coming to the beach. Ample parking and toilets in the car park. Easy access through the dunes onto the wide flat and sany beach.

Magnificent scenery(And I don’t mean the nudist, which there wasn’t any), but the corrugated road is the very worse I have ever seen. My vehicle’s wheel alignment is definitely affected. The road is a disgrace!😕

Nude beach. Corrugated gravel road. Toilet in carpark. DON’T go in the dunes, stay on marked path. DON’T take your your dog into bird nesting (marked) area! Nude beach clearly marked. Regulars are very welcoming of new people. Chilly but swimmable at the end of February. Nice beach for walking on cooler days, with few people around.

This beach is superb as the water is clean, plenty of space to be free and naked and enjoy the sun on your body. Good parking and access. There are toilets and swimwear is optional and always best start that way for the walk in until you feel the urge get get nude and uninhibited. Well worth the visit.

It's a nude beach. If there was rain the day before your visit, prepare yourself to wash your car.

A long-time gazetted nude beach in Melbourne, stretching 1km. The beach is always clean despite the summer time and weekend crowds. Midweek you can usually find a nice spot to yourself (see photos). Dog-friendly also. The road from the Torquay esplanade side was recently refilled making it a smoother drive on fine gravel up to the car park, where you'll find ample parking and toilets. People are encouraged to stay out of the dunes particularly when the protected Hooded Plovers are nesting, an endangered bird species. As always, observe the signs at the car park as you approach the beach regarding nude beach etiquette. Let's keep it safe and respectful for everyone to enjoy! Don't forget, be extra sun smart!

Where do I start. This was the worst place I have ever stayed at and the staff so rude and unhelpful. Rented a 2 bedroom cabin. Broken security door would not close. Broken heater, tv remote not working needed new batteries, Plug in bathroom sink not holding water. And the worst thing that happened was the park ran out of gas and left us there for 2 days with no hot water and no cooking facilities as it was a gas stove. We wanted to leave but they would not guarantee any refund whatsoever - we received 1 text message 1 day into the gas issue and then nothing - we were totally left in the lurch and they could not have cared less about their customers. Poor service and no offer if any compensation at all. It ruined our holiday and we payed a premium rate for this cabin. We were also staying with other couples who had rented cabins as well - they were treated poorly by the staff about parking. They rented 2 bedroom cabins for 2 couples but on arrival got told they had to pay for 2 cars to be parked next to their unit. Also if you did not leave the park before 10am checkout on the dot you would be charged $75 extra. We understand policies around this but it’s the way it was communicated that was poor. And the way the staff members spoke to them was not acceptable. Be wary coming to this place. You think it’s nice due to the location but a park this size to have cabins with much needed maintenance and then run out of gas is just not acceptable for the price you pay. Think carefully before booking this place.

I spent two nights here on a powered campsite, the park is very big, very close to coffee shops and restaurants. It has direct access to the beach through a gate and not far from the incredible Bells beach. Great price, great amenities. Will definitely visit here again

Could not beat location, one side straight out to beach and other side straight out to restaurants/pub. It's old school caravan park cabins. Everything you need, all clean doona, sheets fridge, hotplate and microwave. I loved my stay here. We were here in early may and it was quiet as.

Stayed on a powered site, was neat and tidy. Amenities were clean, camp kitchen had everything you needed. Downside was a permanent site were building a deck all day Saturday and Sunday morning, all we heard was a drop saw and drills, you would think their would be restrictions on when work could be completed.

We chose Location which was costly , assuming the beachside cabin would be quite lovely . The Cabin needs a lot of maintenance, we entered into a hot stuffy cabin which appeared to have been closed up for some time. Swept floor and surprisingly there was a fair amount of dust in pan Terrible shower head, needs replacing Mould visible on outdoor ceiling Roomy spaces, needs coffee table Lack of PowerPoints may be for safety but annoying Some globes need replacing Outdoor seating very uncomfortable and cold Many of blinds have been installed incorrectly and difficult to open/close

We stayed in a rooftop tent on a powered site at the end of January, on a Saturday and Sunday night. The experience was quite different from the spacious and grassy images online! Being a Saturday night in Summer, the park was absolutely packed. Pros: Great location: Close to the beach, shops, cafes and restaurants, which made getting around easy. Showers: Despite the park being full, we never had to wait for a shower. Cons: Size and atmosphere: This is a large park and therefore felt a bit impersonal. Noise: Due to a local music festival nearby, Saturday night was loud well into the early hours, with no enforcement of the “quiet after 10 pm” rule. Overall, it’s a convenient spot for its location but not my scene.

I had an excellent experience at this caravan park. Amenities were all clean and well maintained - a definite feat for a weekend when the whole park was booked out! Avenue sites were adequately spaced so as to allow each group with 1-2 tents enough space between each other. Check-in was contactless and easy. Showers were lovely and warm after an 8.5 hour drive down. Excellently placed park, I was attending a festival on the common and the location meant that it was only a 1 minute walk to the gates. Definitely the best caravan park I’ve stayed at of the few so far. It’s the only one I’ve felt completely safe and at ease in as a solo female traveller. Only complaint I had was the noise from setup of the festival next door and triathlon announcers/music on the other side, but that is to be expected on a festival weekend and not something the park can control.

Stayed one night here in a campervan. It was very quiet as the school summer holidays had come to an end. As others have said the van pitches were at the top of the site a long way from the entrance but this suited us perfectly. The pitch was fine, very quiet with a view out over fields. Check-in was quick and easy. Facilities fine and spotlessly clean. Only gave 4 stars as it is pricey compared to others sites along the Great Ocean Road but compares favourably with European sites we've used.

I stayed one night at Jan Juc Caravan Park but didn’t really enjoy it. When I first arrived, the place felt a bit scary as it was quite dark, and there wasn’t much lighting around, which made it hard to see where to go or where to park the caravan. The site cost $50 for an unpowered spot, which felt a bit expensive considering the lack of clear signage or guidance. It might be okay for more experienced campers, but as a casual visitor, it didn’t feel very welcoming or comfortable. Maybe the lack of lighting is intentional to preserve the natural environment, as there were a lot of birds around which was nice to see. But overall, it didn’t feel very welcoming or easy to navigate, especially for first-time visitors.

We had a very short stay, but we were very grateful for it, even if the night was very twuer. The site is surrounded by nature. Very nicely laid out and the washroom was clean. We have nothing to complain about.

We have been here with a tent. Nice place to camp in a little jungle, we had a good stay. Bathrooms were clean. The Outdoor BBQ area/ kitchen is more like at a bush camping: no fridge, one gas stove 3 bbq. In total just too expensive for what you get.

We (my son, my dad and myself) had a beautiful and relaxing weekend. The cabin was neat, tidy, very comfortable and so peaceful. We loved the pool. The hosts were lovely, helpful and friendly. Can't wait to return.

Just loved it. The pricing was great. The environment was great. Very friendly staff. Excellent swimming area. Centrally located. Anyone that complains just simply aren't experienced travellers. It's not a 5 star hotel but probably the cleanest and the most modern cabins in any caravan park I've ever stayed in.

Our family of two adults and two children (12 year old boy and 6 year old girl) stayed here from the 7th January -10th January. We stayed in cabin 5 which was immaculate and spacious. The park facilities were perfect. The beach and local shops were a 10-15minute walk away. Just a hundred meters down the road was a small skate park with basketball ring and kids playground. This was handy for our older child to “shoot some hoops”. The owners of the park were very accommodating and friendly. The pool was clean and temperature perfect. The small playground was lovely for our younger child. We even had a visit from a Tawny Frogmouth who sat in the tree outside our cabin at night. We loved this place and will definitely be returning. Thank you for making our holiday wonderful.

Such a stunning place to take the dogo and my tootsies for a walk. Fabulous you can take your best fur friend for a free run by the water. Never had any issues with other dogs 🫶🙏❤️

The town itself is beautiful — peaceful, welcoming, and full of charm. It’s the perfect place to relax and enjoy the ocean. The beach is fantastic for both surfing and swimming — the water is clean, the waves are friendly for beginners, and the whole area feels very safe. Whether you’re looking to catch some waves or just soak up the sun, it’s a great spot for both adventure and relaxation. Another highlight is how lively and convenient the area is. There are plenty of cafés and restaurants around, offering a wide variety of delicious food and drinks. It’s easy to spend the whole day by the beach and then enjoy a nice meal or coffee just a short walk away.

Best place for my morning walks on the weekend. Great place for the family as it is relatively well protected from the higher waves, it's a slow gradual increase in depth, the waves are big enough for little kids to have fun, without being too overwhelming, on average. The area is good for dogs, being off-leash friendly on the beach from i think May til November, 9am-7pm (my numbers may be slightly off). There is also a section at the south end that is no dogs allowed if that is your preference, though sadly not all dog owners seem to respect it 100%.

Torquay Beach is a coastal gem offering golden sands and pristine waters along Australia's stunning Great Ocean Road. The beach, framed by limestone cliffs, provides a picturesque backdrop for sun-seekers and surf enthusiasts alike. Surrounded by vibrant cafes and shops, it's a hub of seaside charm. The surf here is renowned, attracting experienced wave riders, while the family-friendly atmosphere welcomes all. The coastal walk offers breathtaking views, making it ideal for leisurely strolls. With its inviting ambiance, Torquay Beach captivates visitors with its natural beauty and lively coastal culture, creating an unforgettable seaside experience. Rest rooms , change rooms, shower taps , picnic spots. It’s a heaven at the right season and right temperature. Plenty free parking !!

Very accessible with sufficient parking, great views and sizeable waves.

BBQ area is great...just lacks a 🚰 Toilets 🚻♻️🚮🅿️ ✅️ Playground park area for kids with scattered areas of shade ✅️ Local takeaway ✅️ Clean beach ⛱️ 🌊📸 1st choice of beach for us! ⚠️Always bring warm change of clothes as it can get cool. Enjoy Beach seekers 😎

Amazing views and great place to learn and go surfing. The place is vibrant with many restaurants and bars and ideal Place for Sunday breakfast lunch or brunch.

Investing in a good playground is worth its weight in gold. This one in particular is well designed, extensive and not full of plastic primary coloured elements. The place was pretty busy when I came here. Barbecues, shelter, picnic tables, toilets and good parking. Shaded areas are nice on hot days. Across the road are places for food and refreshments. A Mr Whippy Van was there today and doing a good trade. Wheelchair accessible. Beach on the east side. All round great facility. Will return.

Astonishing park with many activities. enjoyed a few family weekends here , family environmental. A variety of restaurants and an extremely delicious fish & chips shop! I would highly recommend if you’re looking for a family day out, locals are very nice and friendly. Torquay is the place to be!! 😅💯👍🏼

Just wonderful old-school timber playground Spent hours here over a couple of days Easy walk down to the beach

All free and the kids love it. Public toilets and drink water fountains all here too. Play equipment is large and varied.

Simple yet effective use of open space. Kids certainly love the area.

Lovely place for kids and amazing views to ocean

amazing playground with lots to do and space to run around :-) me and my friends come here all the time and spend the day and talk on the swings has a wheelchair accessible swing and is very close to the beach :-)

Fabulous. Must see. A beautiful walk down the beach.

Fantastic views

Love this place, never overcrowded, beautiful, fresh sea breeze, long clean beach with facilities close by.

Really beautiful place. Although didn't partake in any water sports, would've been hard in motorcycle gear anyway, it was still amazing just being there.

Excellent view. Overall great place for a long walk with the family.

My happy place as a 20 something. The wind didn't oblige this time, but I'll be back.

Nice quiet seashore. Loved the environment.

Jan Juc Beach, nestled just minutes from Torquay along Victoria’s iconic Great Ocean Road, is a hidden gem that blends rugged coastal beauty with a laid-back local vibe. Known for its consistent swell and crystal-clear waters, it’s a favourite among experienced surfers who relish the powerful waves that roll in from the Southern Ocean 1. The beach’s natural charm is complemented by dramatic cliffs and scenic walking tracks, including access to Bird Rock and Little Bird Lookout, offering stunning views and great photo opportunities 2. While Jan Juc may not boast the wide sandy stretches of nearby beaches, its raw, untamed character makes it ideal for peaceful walks, quiet reflection, and watching paragliders soar overhead. The Surf Life Saving Club provides a safe vantage point and some parking, making it accessible without being overcrowded 2. This beach is best appreciated by locals and seasoned visitors who understand its rhythm and respect its conditions. It’s not the most family-friendly spot for swimming due to strong currents, but for those seeking a more authentic coastal experience away from the tourist buzz, Jan Juc Beach delivers in spades.

Famous surf beach where you guessed it people come to surf. It’s next door to the famous Bells Beach and every bit as pretty . The beaches are beautiful to walk on and are dog friendly some parts of the year. You do need to be a good swimmer to swim here .there are cliff top walks and bike tracks along here . It’s a very stunning i coast line . There are a few different ways to enjoy this beach

A really beautiful beach with not too many people. There is parking available near the beach, which allows for convenience. There are also outdoor showers only and an indoor changing room, which is not ideal if you want to wash up before heading out.

I love walking here on the beach and the walking track that circles above, it can be wild and dangerous to non swimmers so swim near the surf club to be safe. There’s been some decent erosion of the cliffs so also do not set up camp at the base of them as rock falls do happen. Awesome for surfing!

My second time to visit the place… I love the tranquil atmosphere though it becomes busy too at times. Clean place. Ample parking and there are benches around to sit down, enjoy fresh air and soak in the sound of the waves.

Jan Juc is an absolutely gorgeous place to visit, would highly recommend- not sure if there's public toilets near the car park or not. But it is an easy walk to the beach & the car park is very close to the walking track. Getting down to the beach itself may be difficult for anyone struggling with mobility.

Famous surf beach where you guessed it people come to surf. It’s next door to the famous Bells Beach and every bit as pretty . The beaches are beautiful to walk on and are dog friendly some parts of the year. You do need to be a good swimmer to swim here .there are cliff top walks and bike tracks along here . It’s a very stunning i coast line . There are a few different ways to enjoy this beach

Spectacular views, great customer service, and an amazing massage! The staff were exceptionally friendly and made the whole experience so relaxing from start to finish. The only downside was that the massage went by far too quickly—it was that good! The location itself is beautiful, with stunning views that make you feel instantly calm. After the massage, there’s a lovely quiet room where you can sit back, enjoy the view again, and unwind with a water or tea. I would definitely go back again.

Amazing facial which included head, neck, arm and hand massage. I also had an amazing foot massage which included exfoliation, parafen wax and moisturiser. The location is awesome.

Thank you Molly and Lily for the gorgeous relaxation massage today. It was exactly what we needed to let go of stress and let our cares be free. The birds 🐦 singing outside the window were an added touch to the ambience. Thank you. With gratitude Kathryn and Beth 💕

A complete experience from start to finish. This will now be my go to for gifts and special treats for myself. If you have been searching for a day spa that specialises in making you feel amazing, this is it.

Wow. What a serene property that boasts the rolling hills and a sneak peak of the ocean. I enjoyed the signature massage, BABOR facial, LED facial and parrafin soak to my feet. My clinicians strokes were absolutely mesmerizing. Looking forward to coming again

Saltair is my favourite place to get a massage in Torquay area. I moved here a year ago and tried many places around town. On my first visit to Saltair I received the best massage I've had in years. I now go regularly, every 3 weeks. The staff are so welcoming and friendly. When I gave feedback they accommodated my personal needs. Highly recommend Saltair for quality service.

Outstanding Service, beautiful calm atmosphere. I had a relaxing package, that I had been saving up for and I must say it was totally worth it. Jasmine did an outstanding job, both in treatment and explaining the process, all the while checking in with me to ensure I was enjoying the treatment.

We had a great stay at Ingenia Holiday Parks in the bungalow. The bungalow was a perfect mix between cabin and camping, the bed was comfy and the room was clean and cozy. Perfect for a couple. Awesome location close to shops and the surf plaza. Staff were friendly and the amenities were always clean. We’ll definitely be back!

We had a great stay at Ingenia Holidays Torquay. The receptionists were absolutely wonderful – so friendly, welcoming, and helpful from start to finish. We’d had a few rough days with car issues, and they went out of their way to make sure we could relax and had everything we needed. The amenities were spotless and the showers had good water pressure. We thought it was really affordable too, especially given how close it is to the Great Ocean Road. Highly recommend!

My recent stay at BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Torquay was nothing short of spectacular, earning every one of these five stars. This is more than just a holiday park; it's a complete family destination perfectly situated at the gateway to the Great Ocean Road. From the moment we arrived, the service was impeccable. The staff-especially Manager Emma and her team-were genuinely warm, welcoming, and went above and beyond to make sure our stay was stress-free and enjoyable. The focus on customer care here is truly exceptional and made us feel immediately at home. The facilities are world-class and immaculately maintained. Our cabin was spotless, cozy, and perfectly set up with everything we needed.

We stayed at Ingenia Holidays Torquay for 3 nights and was absolutely delighted by the cleanliness of our cabin and a topnotch customer service. All park staff was incredibly friendly and helpful. The park manager Emma met us in person and proudly showed around. The park is definitely transformed: beautiful, neat and tidy with plenty activities to offer, which our 6 years old daughter found especially pleasing. We celebrated my sister's birthday, and lovely Emma went out of her way to make our stay really special. We feeled extremely welcomed! This was admittedly the best holiday park experience for years! Will certainly recommend this destination to our friends and family and come back again.

Caravan park in an amazing location especially if you like coffee, surf shops, beers and bath houses. Our two big dogs were very happy here. Having a more spacious slightly nicer dog run for our pups to chase each other and their ball around is the only suggestion we have.

Fantastic caravan park with incredible staff and a perfect location. I’ve been coming here for years, and it just keeps getting better. The recent work and upgrades have created so much more natural light and a really welcoming feel. Everything you need and want is right nearby, making it the ideal base for a relaxing stay. A special thanks to Emma, who truly went the extra mile to look after us — her kindness and attention made our stay even better. I’ll definitely keep coming back. Already looking forward to our next visit!

We stayed 3 nights in our winniebago, asked reception staff about a late check out because our spirit sailing was a late one, and they could not have been more helpful and had us sorted. Great place to stay, so close to surf shops, breweries and great coffee. Will be passing this info on to our travelling friends. Cheers Mick and Jacqui Blake

Jasmine was amazing! I didn’t get to properly say good bye but I really loved every second! It was my first time going to an Endota Spa and it won’t be the last! I will be convincing all my friends to go too. I had the Spa package ‘Rejuvenate’ which was the perfect length of time! My skin was silky and glowy when I got out! Thank you Jasmine, you were so thorough and didn’t judge me when I snored a little bit ahaha!

The team at Torquay Endota are wonderful. Front of house staff were welcoming and friendly. Sophie delivered top tier service. From the skin assessment through the massage and facial. I left feeling refreshed and super relaxed. Highly recommend.

Wonderful self-care afternoon had at Endota, Torquay. I indulged with the Surrender Package and a full body scrub. From the moment I was taken through to the private waiting area, I was offered herbal tea and the relaxation and down time started. It is cozy, tranquil and inviting. The therapist was lovely, listened to my needs and did not chatter through my treatment. Felt very relaxed and ready to face the week.

I love this place. The staff are always lovely, the space is instantly calming and the service is always great. Genuinely feels like a day spa experience every time. Highly recommend.

I was given a voucher for Christmas 2024 I chose the “Surrender package”$205.00 I’ve never been to a Spa but had many remedial massages. I was welcomed into a gorgeous sitting area with the choice of their own tea or water.Their blend of tea was delicious. A very softly spoken lady named Tess came to greet me and took me to an even more delightful room to prepare.There was soft lighting, oils defusing and lovely music playing. Tess has a magnificent aura about her! Her gentle nature was relaxing itself. She wrapped me in thick soft warmed white towels from neck to toe like a cocoon, also a heated blanket underneath & checked I was happy with room temperature. The next 75 minutes was PURE BLISS Tess has the hands of an Angel.. from the top of my head to my toes she massaged every inch with Devine fragrant oils & movements that nearly floated me off the table I was so relaxed. Just when I thought it couldn’t possibly get any better ..it did. Included in this amazing full body massage was a facial…again I’ve never had one. 🩵Tess is outstanding in her craft/field & the spa is very fortunate to have her🩵 I highly recommend this package with Tess …Every one should experience it at least once.🩵 .

My treatment at Endota Spa, Torquay was great, my beauty therapist was lovely and done a great job of my Eye Brows. Thank you Belinda

Had an express customised facial with the lovely Laura. My mature skin😀 certainly looked rehydrated and felt beautiful and soft. There was no high pressure sales talk to get you to buy products either, which is refreshing when all you want is a relaxing facial. All the staff are friendly and welcoming and the ambience is serene. Thanks Laura for the chat and a laugh X

Pretty basic track. 3 small jump tracks. Can get pretty muddy after it rains. Needs some maintenance. Good fun though.

Clean play area for both toddlers and older children. Bark ground surface. Undercover BBQ area & toilet. Bike park and lots of grass surrounds to kick the footy 👌

Super fun but needs some maintenance. Great for learning and beginners who want to step up their skills.

Great bmx track with three levels of track. One for the little kids to roll over, a medium sized track for primary school kids and a serious one for the bigger kids

Went there once, ground on some landings was lose but still great to get air

Great little area for kids plus BBQ's & tables

Good for beginners and experienced riders