SURFING THE GREAT BLUE

The legendary Southern Ocean swells are like no other. Follow their siren call and find a break along the Great Ocean Road that’s a perfect fit for your surfing prowess. Dive in for salt water therapy, thrilling board adventure, a simple paddle out or a first-time surf lesson to build your confidence. Some breaks are meant for experienced surfers only. Maybe the iconic right-handers of world-famous Bells Beach (above) are on your bucket-list. On a good day, Two Mile Reef (aka Easter Reef) near Port Campbell can produce massive, challenging waves and covetable green walls, ideal for experienced surfers or enthusiastic spectators. Find dozens of safer beaches for surfing, swimming, body surfing, boogie boarding or SUP along the coast. Torquay, Anglesea, Apollo Bay and Port Fairy are among the faves.

Go Ride a Wave and Go Surf offer all ages surf lessons at multiple locations along the Great Ocean Road. Delight in learning to surf together, or sharpen up your own board skills while the groms get started on the right equipment with experienced instructors. You’ll be setting them up for a lifetime of surf beach adventure and ocean respect.

No board? No worries. Hire all the gear you need from local outfitters. No skills? Book in for a surf lesson (or two) with one of many experienced operators in the coastal towns. They know the local conditions and will have the ideal beach spot to get you up and riding in no time. You may just find yourself hooked!

SURF ACTION FOR LAND LOVERS …

• Spot a beach carpark packed with tradie vans and utes in the middle of the day? That means the surf’s pumping. Perch on a beach or clifftop and watch the exhilarating action.

• Where it all began! Head to the home of Victoria’s surfing culture to explore Torquay’s Australian National Surfing Museum. Get to know Australia’s surfing heroes and legends in the hall of fame, ride the wave of surfing heritage, browse a cracking board collection and soak up surfing stories like there’s no tomorrow.