Anglesea
Wild kangaroos on the golf course, the safest family beach on the Surf Coast, fishing on the Anglesea River — the relaxed alternative to Lorne and Torquay.
Quietly the Surf Coast's best family town
Anglesea sits between the surf-culture intensity of Torquay and the resort-town busyness of Lorne — about 30 minutes from each. The town has been a Melbourne family-holiday destination for over a century, and that heritage is reflected in everything from its accommodation pool (heavy on caravan parks and self-contained holiday rentals) to its food scene (relaxed, family-friendly, less-restaurant-strip-driven than Torquay).
Anglesea's defining feature is the kangaroo population at the Anglesea Golf Course. Dozens of eastern grey kangaroos graze the fairways year-round — visible from public roads and the clubhouse without paying course fees. It's one of the few places in Australia where you can reliably see large numbers of wild kangaroos in close range without entering a wildlife park.
Beyond the kangaroos, Anglesea offers patrolled family swimming, fishing on the Anglesea River, sections of the 44 km Surf Coast Walk, and a small but solid foreshore café scene. The town is a strong overnight option for families travelling with young children, and an underrated alternative for travellers who want to be on the Surf Coast without the busier town energy of Torquay or Lorne.
What fills a stop in Anglesea
For a brief stop on a road trip: drive past the Anglesea Golf Course kangaroos (15-min photo stop), grab coffee on the foreshore strip, and continue south. Combined: 30-45 minutes.
For a half-day: add the patrolled main beach for a swim, a walk along the Anglesea River mouth, and lunch at one of the foreshore cafés. For a full day, do a section of the Surf Coast Walk (Anglesea to Aireys Inlet is the standard one-way day section, ~16 km) or fish on the river.
For an overnight, time the kangaroo viewing for dawn or dusk, eat at the local pub or café, and use Anglesea as a calm base for day trips to Bells Beach, Split Point Lighthouse, or further south to Lorne.
The strip
- Captain Moonlite Anglesea — modern Australian, good lunch and dinner.
- Four Kings — café with strong coffee and brunch menu.
- Anglesea Hotel — pub bistro, family-friendly.
- The Boat Builders — riverside café, popular with locals.
- Anglesea IGA — for picnic provisioning before a beach day or Surf Coast Walk.
Where to sleep
- Anglesea Family Caravan Park — the family standout, foreshore position.
- Anglesea Surf Coast Resort — apartment-style, family-friendly.
- Debonair Beach Front — boutique apartments.
- Anglesea Beachfront Family Caravan Park — second caravan park.
- Holiday rentals — multiple 2-4 bedroom houses on the streets behind the foreshore.
Anglesea FAQs
- Is Anglesea worth visiting?
- Yes — particularly for families. Anglesea has the most kid-friendly town beach on the Surf Coast (patrolled summer, gentle waves), the famous wild-kangaroo population grazing the golf course fairways, and a relaxed family-holiday vibe that bigger towns like Lorne and Torquay can't match. Most travellers stop for an hour; a 1-2 night stay is excellent for families.
- Where can you see kangaroos in Anglesea?
- Anglesea Golf Course — eastern grey kangaroos graze the fairways year-round in numbers (often 50+ visible at once). You can view from the road or from the clubhouse without paying course fees. Best at dawn and dusk when the kangaroos are most active. Drive Golf Links Road to find them; signage is good.
- How far is Anglesea from Melbourne?
- About 110 km via the M1 to Geelong, then south on the Surf Coast Highway through Torquay to Anglesea. Drive time is roughly 1 hour 30 minutes direct. Add 30–45 min if you stop in Torquay or at Bells Beach on the way.
- What is there to do in Anglesea?
- Visit the Anglesea Golf Course kangaroos (free), swim at the patrolled main beach, walk the Surf Coast Walk sections, eat at the foreshore café strip, watch surfers at Pt Roadknight, stand-up paddleboard or fish in the Anglesea River. Small but solid family-activity list. Multiple surf schools operate in summer.
- Where should I stay in Anglesea?
- Foreshore zone for walkability to beach and cafés. Anglesea Family Caravan Park is the standout family stay (large foreshore park with cabins). Anglesea Surf Coast Resort for upper-mid-range. Multiple holiday rentals on the streets behind the foreshore. The smaller pool than Lorne or Torquay means booking ahead matters.
- Is Anglesea or Torquay better for staying overnight?
- Depends on priorities. Torquay is bigger, has more restaurants and accommodation options, and is the official Surf Coast launching point. Anglesea is smaller, quieter, and more family-friendly with the kangaroos as a unique draw. For families with young children, Anglesea wins. For surf-focused or food-focused travellers, Torquay wins.
- How long should I stay in Anglesea?
- A few hours covers the kangaroos, beach, and lunch. One night gives you a proper family beach day plus the kangaroo viewing at dawn or dusk. Two nights lets you add a Surf Coast Walk section, a fishing trip on the river, and time to actually enjoy the relaxed pace.
- Can you swim at Anglesea?
- Yes — the main beach is patrolled in summer (typically late November to Easter). The bay is partially sheltered, with gentle waves suitable for families and kids. The Anglesea River mouth provides additional calm-water swimming for very young children. The water is cool year-round (17–19°C in summer); wetsuits help.