How to get to Torquay
The closest Surf Coast town to Melbourne — 1 hour 15 minutes by car, 2 hours by V/Line train + coach. Plus parking, EV charging, and onward routes.
The route from Melbourne
From Melbourne, the route to Torquay is straightforward and unchallenging. M1 west out of the CBD, past Werribee, through to Geelong (~1 hour). At Geelong, take the Surf Coast Highway (B100) south for 25 km. Torquay sits at the southern end. Total: 100 km, about 1 hour 15 minutes.
Unlike the routes further along the Great Ocean Road, this section has no tight bends or scenic detours that meaningfully add to the drive. The trip is highway end-to-end. For most travellers, Torquay represents the natural "we've actually arrived" first stop on a Great Ocean Road trip — the road south of Torquay is where the proper scenic content begins.
From Melbourne airport, allow an extra 30 minutes via the Western Ring Road (M80). From Geelong itself, Torquay is 25 minutes south. Avoid M1 traffic at peak commute times (7-9am and 4-6pm) — leaving Melbourne by 6am or after 9:30am avoids the worst of it.
Torquay distances
- Melbourne CBD → Torquay: 100 km, 1h 15min
- Melbourne Airport → Torquay: 110 km, 1h 30min
- Geelong → Torquay: 25 km, 25 min
- Torquay → Bells Beach: 6 km, 10 min
- Torquay → Memorial Arch: 15 km, 18 min
- Torquay → Anglesea: 17 km, 18 min
- Torquay → Lorne: 45 km, 50 min
- Torquay → Apollo Bay: 90 km, 1h 50min
- Torquay → Twelve Apostles: 185 km, 3h direct
V/Line public transport
V/Line runs a regular train + coach service from Melbourne to Torquay. Take the V/Line train from Southern Cross Station to Geelong (~1 hour), then connect to the Torquay coach (~25 min).
Total journey: about 2 hours, ~AU$15–25 one way. Multiple services daily, slightly fewer on weekends. Book through vline.com.au or the V/Line app.
Once in Torquay, you're walkable to Front Beach, the museum, and the café strip. For Bells Beach (6 km south) you'd need a taxi, rideshare, or bicycle hire from town. For onward Great Ocean Road travel without a car, the V/Line coach continues south to Apollo Bay.
If you're combining the trip with other stops
If Torquay is the start of a road trip, here's what to add along the way:
- Geelong (25 min before Torquay) — waterfront, dining, coffee. Excellent lunch stop.
- You Yangs Regional Park (45 min from Melbourne) — short detour off the M1 for granite outcrops and koala spotting at the You Yangs ranges.
- Werribee Park — historic mansion and gardens, optional Melbourne-to-Torquay detour.
- Anglesea (15 min after Torquay) — kangaroos at the golf course, patrolled beach.
- Bells Beach (10 min after Torquay) — usually combined into the Torquay visit itself rather than as a stop.
Where to park in Torquay
- The Esplanade — free time-limited (typically 2 hours).
- Pearl Street — free, time-limited.
- Surf Coast Plaza — free, large car park, near factory outlets.
- Surfing Museum — free, dedicated visitor parking.
- Foreshore caravan parks — guest parking within accommodation.
Charging in Torquay
- Tesla Destination Chargers — at RACV, Peppers The Sands, Wyndham.
- Chargefox AC — at Surf Coast Plaza.
- Closest fast DC north — Geelong (25 min, multiple options including Tesla Supercharger).
- Closest fast DC south — Lorne (50 min, Tesla Supercharger 8 stalls).
Getting to Torquay FAQs
- How long does it take to drive from Melbourne to Torquay?
- About 1 hour 15 minutes for the 100 km drive via the M1 to Geelong then south on the Surf Coast Highway. From Melbourne airport, allow another 30 minutes via the Western Ring Road. The drive is mostly highway with no winding sections, suitable for all driver experience levels.
- What's the fastest route from Melbourne to Torquay?
- M1 west out of Melbourne to Geelong, then continue south on the Surf Coast Highway (B100). Total: 100 km, about 1 hour 15 minutes. There's no realistic alternative route — this is the only sensible way. Avoid peak commute times (7-9am and 4-6pm) on the M1 to skip Geelong-area traffic.
- Is Torquay a good base for the Great Ocean Road?
- Yes for travellers wanting to combine surf-coast exploration with day trips to Bells Beach, Anglesea, and Lorne. Torquay is too far north to be a base for visiting the Twelve Apostles (190 km / 3+ hours away). For a road-trip base, Apollo Bay or Port Campbell are more strategic. For a 'Surf Coast only' weekend, Torquay is ideal.
- Can you take public transport to Torquay?
- Yes — V/Line operates a regular train + coach service from Melbourne CBD to Torquay. Take the V/Line train from Southern Cross Station to Geelong (1 hour), then connect to the Torquay coach (~25 min). Total journey time about 2 hours. Cost roughly AU$15–25 one way. Multiple services daily.
- Where can you park in Torquay?
- Most parking in Torquay is free. Front Beach has free time-limited parking along The Esplanade (2-hour limits). Pearl Street has free parking. Larger free car parks at the Surf Coast Plaza, the Surfing Museum, and the foreshore caravan parks. In peak summer (December–January) the central spots fill from mid-morning; arrive early or use the side streets.
- Are there EV charging stations in Torquay?
- Yes. Multiple Tesla Destination Chargers at hotels (RACV, Peppers, Wyndham). Chargefox AC chargers at the Surf Coast Plaza. Closest fast DC charging is at Geelong (25 min north — Tesla Supercharger and several CCS chargers). For EV travellers heading west on the road, top up at Lorne (Tesla Supercharger 50 min south).
- How long is the drive from Torquay to Lorne?
- About 50 minutes / 45 km via the Great Ocean Road through Anglesea and Aireys Inlet. Most travellers stop along the way at Bells Beach (15 min into the drive), Memorial Arch, and possibly Aireys Inlet for coffee — turning a 50-minute direct drive into 2-3 hours with stops.
- Is Torquay suitable for caravans?
- Yes. The drive in is highway. Multiple caravan-friendly accommodations including Torquay Foreshore Caravan Park (with full caravan facilities) and Bell's Holiday Park. The foreshore parking accommodates large rigs in marked sections.