Plan the perfect romantic getaway to Torquay

Experience a getaway for you and your partner in the gorgeous seaside town.

Torquay marks the beginning of the Great Ocean Road and is Victoria’s surfing and beach capital. All year round Torquay is a popular destination for surfers, people escaping for a quick trip, and travellers from all over.

How to get to Torquay

Torquay is about an hour and a half drive from Melbourne CBD. You can drive down State Route 30 to M1. Continue down the M1 to Mount Duneed and take the exit towards C134/Torquay. Finally, drive down Mount Dundeed Road to Surf Coast Highway to reach Torquay!

Going by public transport, it’ll take just under two hours from Southern Cross Station. From here go on the Geelong line and get off at Marshall Station. Then jump on the 50/51 Jan Juc bus for about 15 minutes (18 stops).

Another way via public transport is from Southern Cross Station to go on the Geelong train to Geelong Station. From here go on the 101 Apollo Bay bus for about 30 minutes (5 stops).

Where to stay

The first thing you’ll want to do for your getaway is book your stay. There is plenty of luxurious and romantic places to stay while you are in Torquay.

• The Sands

Enjoy a good night’s sleep at The Sands and wake up with an urban view or the golf course.

There is a range of different luxury rooms and apartments all with a balcony or patio. You’ll have access to free Wi-Fi, a TV, tea and coffee making facilities, and a mini fridge. There are even pet friendly rooms if you wanted to bring your dog on your romantic getaway.

The Sands is only a short walk to the beach where you can enjoy a picnic, watch the sunset, or walk along the beach.

Book a stay at The Sands here!

• Wyndham Resort

Wyndham Resort is one of the most romantic escapes in the town. Each room has a TV, a desk, and free Wi-Fi. You and other guests will have access to two of the outdoor pools, a tennis court, a gym, and an arcade room.

There are deluxe hotel rooms and apartments available with either a resort view, a pool view, or an ocean view.

Book a stay at Wyndham Resort here!

• Zeally Bay Hideaway

Zeally Bay Hideaway is a beautiful and spacious home in Old Torquay. The home has spacious bedrooms, a large designer kitchen, indoor and outdoor living spaces, and an outdoor heated pool.

If you have kids, you can bring them along as the home can sleep up to 10 people.

Staying at this gorgeous home, you’ll be within walking distance of the beaches, restaurants, cafes, and shops.

Book a stay at Zeally Bay Hideaway here!

• RACV Torquay Resort

RACV Torquay Resort is the perfect place to stay during your romantic getaway to Torquay. The rooms are spacious with a comfortable bed, a balcony, free Wi-Fi, and a TV.

The resort sits on a golf course and has incredible ocean views, and you also have direct access to the beach. There is also a day spa, an indoor pool, and a restaurant and bar.

Book a stay at RACV Torquay Resort here!

Things to do

Next, you will want to organise a few activities you and your partner may like to do. Torquay is a town known for the surfing capital and is home to Bells Beach and surfing brands like Quicksilver and Rip Curl.

• Surfing

Torquay is the best place in Victoria where you can go surfing. All year round you can expect to see surfers out in the water catching perfect waves. Any of Torquay’s beaches will be some of the best places to surf in Australia.

If you’re not a professional surfer, or just have no idea where to start, you can book a surf lesson and learn all about surfing! The group or private sessions focuses on teaching you surfing skills and how to balance in the water.

• Visit the iconic beaches

There’s no trip to Torquay without visiting some of the local beaches. You can walk along the beach, go swimming, or surfing.

Bells Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Australia. The beach isn’t too far from Torquay and is the beach where the Rip Curl Pro surfing competition has been held since 1962.

Other beaches to visit include Torquay Surf Beach which is the closest surf beach and Torquay Front Beach which is along the foreshore.

• Saltair Spa

Saltair Spa is a retreat that has luxury spa experiences for you and your partner. Book one of the few couple’s packages from pamper, massage, getaway, or retreat.

Spending time at Saltair Spa and getting fully relaxed with your partner and enjoying a massage and facial together. The getaway and retreat packages include a grazing platter and champagne before you get into your spa experience.

• Wineries

Enjoy locally sourced and produced wines close to Torquay! Wineries are a great place to relax and enjoy the local wines. A few nearby wineries include Bellbrae Estate, The Minya Vineyard & Winery, and Wolseley Wines.

• Breweries

Torquay has a few local breweries where you can enjoy a pint of hand made beer. The best breweries to visit are Sou’west Brewery, Bells Beach Brewing, and Blackman’s Brewery.

Drop into one of the local breweries and taste the beers or try out the gin, vodka, or rum.

• Picnic at the beach

Spend the evening lying on the sand enjoying a cute picnic. Watch the waves in the distance as the sun slowly starts to set.

You can prepare your own food like sandwiches, fruit, and baked goods, or order some takeaway from a local restaurant.

Where to eat

As with every romantic getaway, you’ll want to organise some restaurants to enjoy a couple of meals. Torquay has some of the most delicious and fresh dishes to indulge in. There is a range of cuisines for you to enjoy during your stay.

• Il Matto

Enjoy a taste of authentic Italian dishes during your stay in Torquay. Il Matto has mouth watering foods and wine that you can eat during your date night.

Indulge in a delicious pizza or pasta for your main meal and even a cheeky homemade tiramisu for dessert.

• Frontbeach Taphouse & Restaurant

Frontbeach Taphouse & Restaurant is perfect to go to for a cafe style breakfast to enjoy the beach views over the weekend. During the week you can come here for a casual pub style lunch with a selection of craft beers to enjoy.

• Fisho’s Torquay

One of the best restaurants to go to if you love your seafood. Fisho’s produces fresh high quality seafood dishes all year round. To compliment your meal, make sure you try a local beer, cider, or wine.

Torquay has so many places and activities to do whether you’re staying for a week or just a short weekend getaway. You can spend a day walking through the town and shopping, going to the beach, or relaxing in your hotel bed.

Cameron Ward

Managing Director at Sightseeing Tours Australia

Cameron Ward turned his travel passion into a thriving Australian tourism business. Before he co-founded his own business, Sightseeing Tours Australia, he was enjoying being a Melbourne tour guide. Even now, Cameron delights in helping visitors from all around the world get the most out of their incredible Australian trip. You’ll see Cameron leading tours or writing about his favourite Australian places where he shares his local insights.