Beaches & coastlines

Be invigorated by the fresh ocean breezes and revel in the rugged coastal landscapes of the Great Ocean Road all year round. Paddle, swim or surf in the waves, take a stroll along pristine white beaches, and gaze out to sea from towering limestone cliffs. Surf fans won't want to miss the famous Rip Curl Pro, which see the world's best surfers battle it out at Bells Beach.

Torquay to Lorne

Torquay
The safe, protected sandy front beach is popular with families. Fishermans Beach is a favourite for boating, sailing and windsurfing. The back beach, also known as the surf beach, is usually safe for swimming and surfing. Lifesavers patrol during summer.

Jan Juc
Just west from Torquay you'll find a cliff-lined sandy beach popular with swimmers, surfers and fishers. Be careful of rips and currents caused by the shifting sand bottom. Lifesavers patrol during summer.

Bells Beach
Famous surf beach, home to the world's longest-running professional surfing event, the Rip Curl Pro. Cliff-flanked sandy beach and large ocean swells. Surrounded by a number of surf breaks including Winkipop, Rincon, Southside and Centreside, the Bells area is suitable for experienced surfers only.

Anglesea
Popular and relatively safe, sandy ocean beach, excellent for swimming and surfing. Large vegetation-covered sand dunes protect beach. Lifesavers patrol in summer.

Point Roadknight
Wide, safe, sweeping sandy beach protected by rocky point. Excellent swimming. Also a favourite place for sailing and kitesurfing.

Fairhaven
Popular surf and swimming beach. Wide sandy beach set against a backdrop of Otway Ranges bush and residential area. Be careful of rips and currents caused by the shifting sand bottom. Lifesavers patrol in summer.

Lorne to Apollo Bay

Lorne
One of the most popular resort towns on the Great Ocean Road. Wide sandy beach with gentle surf on Loutit Bay. Safe for swimming and surfing. Lifesavers patrol during summer.

Wye River
Small sandy beach with lush forest backdrop at the mouth of the Wye River. Popular for swimming and surfing. Strong rips at each end; swim in the centre on the bar. Lifesavers patrol in summer months.

Kennett River
Safe swimming and surfing beach at the mouth of the Kennett River. Lifesavers patrol during the summer months.

Apollo Bay To Warrnambool

Apollo Bay
Wide, crescent-shaped sandy beach. Protected waters make it excellent for swimming. Popular with families. Surfing nearby. Lifesavers patrol in summer.

Blanket Bay
Nestled in the Otway National Park this protected beach has great rock pools for children to explore at either end of the beach. Take care when swimming because this unpatrolled beach can get choppy and may have rips.

Johanna Beach
Towering cliffs frame the pristine sandy beach. Excellent surfing but suitable for experienced surfers only. An alternative venue to Bells Beach for the Rip Curl Pro. Unsafe for swimming.

Port Campbell
Safe swimming beach in Port Campbell Bay. Surfing in the bay out from the pier. Close to the spectacular attractions of the Port Campbell National Park. Lifesavers patrol in summer.

Warrnambool to Nelson

Warrnambool
The city has a number of popular beaches. The main swimming, surfing and sailing beach is Lady Bay, close to the city centre. Surfing also at Hopkins River mouth and Logans Beach. Lifesavers patrol in summer.

Port Fairy
East Beach is the town's main beach for safe swimming and surfing. The wide, sandy foreshore extends in a gentle arc from the mouth of the Moyne River. Lifesavers patrol in summer.

Portland
Nuns Beach is a sweeping sandy beach between Whalers Point and the Lee Breakwater. Surfing beaches nearby at Watertower, Blacknose, Crumpets, Yellow Rock and Murrells.

Bridgewater Bay
Long, wide sweeping sandy beach set against the towering, rugged Cape Bridgewater headland for swimming and surfing. Safe for swimming in the patrolled area to the west and on the shallow bars. Do not swim at the eastern end due to rips and rocks. Lifesavers patrol in summer.

For more information and safety guidance, visit beachsafe.org.au .

Plan before you go: Be sure to check weather and terrain conditions and pack plenty of water before you embark on an outdoor adventure. Stay up-to-date with the latest warnings and advice via the Parks Victoria and Vic Emergency websites.