Article by Emily
Australia travel isn’t complete without paying a visit to one of the country’s scenic golden beaches, and it’s believed that some of the most impressive in the country lie in the county’s south-coast and in particular the state of Victoria. The beaches along the Great Ocean Road stretch are particularly scenic with fans that include Dannii Minogue, Kevin Pietersen and Oprah Winfrey amongst others. Located just a short drive from Victoria’s capital, holidaymakers can pick up Melbourne travel deals in order to make the most of the attractions on offer:
Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula:
With an expansive promenade and swimming pool included in the art-deco bathing complex, the Eastern Beach at Geelong is a popular destination. A good choice for families, there is a children’s pool and park, plus a playground and picnic facilities. More family favourites along the coast include Portarlington and the historic resort town of Queenscliff, which also offers picnic and play facilities. Meanwhile, excellent ocean swimming and surfing can be found at Ocean Grove beach, while diehard surfers can head to 13th Beach at Barwon Heads for year round thrills.
Torquay to Lorne:
The famous Bells Beach which is located on the stretch of beach between Torquay and Lorne is home to legendary Rip Curl Pro Surfing event. This area is better suited to experienced surfers, but beginners and intermediates can still enjoy plenty of action when they stop off at spots along the coast such as Anglesea and Fairhaven. Fisherman’s Beach in Torquay is a favourite for boating, sailing and windsurfing, while those looking for a good all-round choice can head to Jan Juc, just to the west of Torquay, which is a cliff-lined beach offering opportunities for swimmers, surfers and fishermen alike. Alternatively, Point Roadknight is a popular location for those keen to try their hand at kite-surfing.
Apollo Bay to Warrnambool:
The well-known Port Campbell National Park is home to famous Australia travel icon, the Twelve Apostles and can be found roughly between Apollo Bay and Warrnambool. Port Campbell Bay offers excellent swimming and surfing near the famous rock formations. Apollo Bay itself, meanwhile, offers protected waters that are ideal for swimming and popular with families. Along the coast, children will love exploring the rockpools of Blanket Bay in Otway National Park, although the waters come with a warning as they can get choppy. Alternatively, for experienced surfers, the picturesque sandy beach at Johanna offers excellent conditions. The location has even been chosen as an alternative to Bells Beach for the Rip Curl Pro event.
Warrnambool to Nelson:
Holidaymakers are offered a combination of surfing, swimming and sailing at Lady Bay, which is one of the best beaches in the city of Warrnambool. Great surfing can also be found at Hopkins River mouth and Logan’s Beach. Port Fairy’s East Beach, meanwhile, is another safe swimming and surfing spot. The wide, sandy shore makes for an attractive sight, as does the sweeping shoreline of Nuns Beach and the long, sandy beach of Bridgewater Bay – which is set against the rugged Cape Bridgewater headland.
About the Author
Emily Collins is a travel writer with an extensive knowledge of Australia travel. For more information on Australia, including Melbourne travel deals visit the Visit Melbourne website.
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Travel to Australia and visit Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, The Great Barrier Reef, Ayers Rock, The Snowy Mountains, The Blue Mountains and more in this film inspired by this amazing country and nature herself. Music by Trumpet Thing (Need You) and Paul Dimension (Breeze) both from the Buddha-Bar Series. Many thanks to all the amazing photographers in the Flickr community who have made this possible. Compiled by Xeibo