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Bells Beach, VIC

Bells Beach, located on the edges of the surfers’ haven of Torquay town, is one of the world’s most famous surfing beaches. Fronting the Great Ocean Road in Victoria, it’s home to the iconic Rip Curl Pro Surfing contest and its associated music festival, first held over 50 years ago.

Bells Beach

The contest takes place every Easter and attracts the world’s best surfers as well as hordes of fans of the dramatic sport. Associated surf breaks nearby include Boobs, Steps, Southside, Rincon, the Winki Pop uppers and lowers, and Centreside.

Bells Beach is the inspiration for a local conservation group named Surfers Appreciating the Natural Environment, formed in 1988 by surfers concerned about the effect or tourism on the Bells Beach Surfing Reserve.

The group meets monthly to evaluate any damage and its members have planted well over 100,000 plants since the group’s inception to help bring the area back to its original wild beauty.

The beach itself is wide, sandy and gently curved, with the reef-strewn shallows creating the outstanding surf from the Southern Ocean swells as they approach the land. The beach is backed by soaring cliffs, with their walking trails giving dramatic views over the coastline towards rocky headlands. The ocean is an amazing turquoise blue which contrasts with the red ochre hue of the cliffs.

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Learn more about Bells Beach.

The Surf Coast Walk from Bells Beach runs through traditional aboriginal lands and passes the resorts of Torquay, Anglesea and Airey’s Inlet. The coastal scenery is superb, with whales seen from the cliff tops from June to October.

The inland parts of the walk lead through the lush rainforest, with its native wildlife and dozens of bird species. Bells Beach is just less than five kilometres from Torquay, with its great choice of hotels, eateries and seasonal evening entertainment.

Where to stay?

Experiences

  • Rural/Country
  • Cultural
  • Food and Wine
  • Historic/Heritage
  • Indulgence/Luxury

Popular Activities

  • Shopping
  • Sightseeing
  • Swimming
  • Surfing

About Bells Beach

  • Locality: Rural locality
  • Bells Beach Postcode: 3228
  • State: Victoria
  • Region: Geelong & the Bellarine
  • Latitude: -38.3676
  • Longitude: 144.28172
  • Elevation: 26m
  • Population: 130
  • Median Income: $37700
  • Area (Sq/km): 11.561
  • Timezone: Australia/Melbourne

Explore The Outback

Australia has a vast remote interior, much of it largely untouched. By night, the outback is deathly quiet, with the only light provided by the stars and the moon - a perfect oportunity for stargazing. Explore the isolated heart of the country, meet and connect with Aboriginal people and experience one of the oldest living cultures in the world. Go ‘walk-about’ and immerse yourself with Australia’s endless outback horizons.

Outback Experiences

Luxe Accommodation

Enjoy a distinctly Australian luxury experience, such as the unforgettable reefs, islands, beaches and coast; rugged mountain ranges, rainforests and vast national parks; and the many vibrant food and wine regions. Take a once in a lifetime adventure and discover the sheer indulgence of experiencing the wonders of Australia in style and stay in total luxury.

Australia has wide variety of accommodation options to suit most budgets and travelling preferences. Choose from luxury lodges, boutique hotels, serviced apartments, motels, bed and breakfasts, caravan parks as well as youth and backpacker hostels.

Accommodation

Glasshouse Mountains

The Glasshouse Mountains in the hinterland of Queensland’s Sunshine Coast are actually the cores of 20 million year old volcanoes. The sides of the volcanoes have eroded away leaving only the hardened rock spiremountain cores we see today. Learn more about this awe-inspiring landscape.

Glasshouse Mountains