Torquay

Torquay is not just famous for being Australia's surf capital, it has lots of other things to do.

The seaside resort is the official start of the Great Ocean Road and features sheltered beaches east of Point Danger and exposed surf beaches to the west. The town has a young population and is one of Victoria's fastest growing. It caters for all sorts of water sports — windsurfing, surfing, fishing and sailing — and has a complete range of restaurants and accommodation.

Growlers is on the Esplanade facing the beach and opens for lunch and dinner every day in summer, dinner every night, lunch from Wednesday to Sunday and breakfast on weekends. There is a trivia night once a month and they are about to introduce ping pong and pie nights.

It is owned by two couples, including former Sale of the Century co-host Nicky Buckley and her husband Murray. The restaurant serves "eclectic nouveau cuisine with Asian influences". Meals are hearty and flavoursome and there is a wide variety of vegetarian food, plus a children's menu, indoor and outdoor seating. They use as much local produce as possible, including wine.

Scotchmans Hill Winery sits atop Scotchmans Hill on 325 hectares. It is made up of two properties, Scotchmans Hill and the National Trust Spray Farm, which was founded in 1851. It is popular for weddings, concerts, petanque days and art displays.

Named after settlers from Scotland in the 1840s, it became a winery in 1982 and a commercial enterprise in 1990. They grow premium wines using traditional methods and export to Europe, Asia, the US, Canada and the Maldives!

Personalised tours of the vineyard, winery and barrel hall are available by appointment, finishing with a wine tasting.

Bellbrae Harvest was once a horse farm, but is now a restaurant and berry farm with three cottages for visitors.

Location

Cost

More information