Beaches, Deans Marsh, Great Ocean Road and Region, Victoria, Australia

If you love the beach, you will love the Great Ocean Road region.

From Geelong to Portland and beyond there are literally hundreds of bay and ocean beaches to choose from, and they are magnificent all year round. In summer they act as a cool retreat, while in winter a wonderful backdrop to get away from the cities.

It may be tempting to jump in anywhere along the coast, but we advise it's best to look for the yellow and red beach flags. They signify that there are lifesavers around looking after you and your family. You can help by swimming between the flags and being conscious of beach saftey.

The Great Ocean Road region also has hundreds of breaks along its coast and draws a steady stream of seasoned surfers all year round. Weekends and school holidays are fairly crowded but because there are so many breaks, there's a wave for everyone. The region is also a great place to learn how to surf. There are a number of excellent surfing schools along the coast.

Things to See & Do

Near Aireys Inlet

Cinema Point Beach

At Cinema Point, the winding, cliff hanging section of the Great Ocean Road begins. Cinema Point is a 30 m high, grassy knoll, backed by the road and surrounded by sandstone rock platforms. There are two small beaches here, one on either side. The eastern one is below the car park and viewing area immediately behind the knoll. It is 50 m long, faces east, is backed by road fill and the knoll, and is dominated by platforms and reefs. On the western side of the point is the main beach, that occupies the deep gully carved by Grassy Creek. It consists of a veneer of sand over rock platforms. Both beaches receive waves averaging about 1 m and have a surf zone entirely dominated by rocks and reefs. Swimming Be very careful if bathing here, as permanent rip currents drain out from both reefs, and rocks and reefs abound in the surf. Surfing The north side of Cinema Rocks is known as Hunters or Shark Alley. It has a moderate right hander during big swell. Fishing The extensive rock platforms at low tide provide good access to the rock gullies on either side of the point. General A favourite viewing site, with the beaches used by surfers and fishers, but unsuitable for safe bathing. Carpark Type: Formal parking area Surface: Sealed Spaces: 15 SLSA provides this information as a guide only. Surf conditions are variable and therefore this information should not be relied upon as a substitute for observation of local conditions and an understanding of your abilities in the surf. SLSA reminds you to always swim between the red and yellow flags and never swim at unpatrolled beaches. SLSA takes all care and responsibility for any translation but it cannot guarentee that all translations will be accurate. General Beach Hazard Rating: 5 Least hazardous: 1-3 Moderately hazardous: 4-6 Highly hazardous: 7-8 Extremely hazardous: 9-10 Hazard rating refers to physical beach and surf conditions ONLY and does not include potentially dangerous marine life.

Lorne

Lorne Beach and Foreshore

The wide ribbon of sand and gentle waves make Lorne Beach on Loutit Bay a perfect spot for swimmers, surfers and frolickers alike. The sand is only a short stroll from Mountjoy Parade, there are shower and toilet facilities and the beach is patrolled in Summer. In the foreshore reserve area there is a children’s playground, swimming pool, skate park, trampoline hire and lots of open space for games and picnics.

Aireys Inlet

Urquharts Bluff Beaches

The 5 km of coast between Urquhart Bluff and Table Rock at Fairhaven is dominated by 20 to 50 m high, eroding bluffs composed of poorly consolidated limestone, tuffs, clays and silts. As they erode, they leave inter- and sub-tidal rock platforms and reefs. Running along the base of the bluffs are twelve small, exposed beaches, mostly dominated by the headlands, rocks and reefs. The first five face south-east and extend from Urquhart Bluff south-west for 1 km. They can be reached at low tide around the rocks from Urquhart Bluff, or by climbing down some of the less steep bluffs. They are all exposed to waves averaging 1.3 m, but owing to the degree of protection or the presence of rocks and reefs, they have variable beaches and surf zones. Urquhart Bluff South Beach (315) is 200 m long and has a wide, shallow surf zone with a permanent rip against the southern headland and reef. Swimming These are five hazardous beaches, owing to their relatively remote location and access ranging from difficult to dangerous. This is coupled with the presence of rocks, reefs and permanent rips. Surfing Moderate swells and a high tide produce right hand breaks over some of the reefs, most of which can be viewed from the top of Urquhart Bluff. Fishing Each of these beaches has good permanent rip holes and reef gutters. The biggest problem is access. Be very careful at high tide and in bigger seas, as the rocks and some of the beaches are awash. General Five beaches dominated by the bluffs, rocks and reefs. Carpark Type: Formal parking area Spaces: 10 SLSA provides this information as a guide only. Surf conditions are variable and therefore this information should not be relied upon as a substitute for observation of local conditions and an understanding of your abilities in the surf. SLSA reminds you to always swim between the red and yellow flags and never swim at unpatrolled beaches. SLSA takes all care and responsibility for any translation but it cannot guarantee that all translations will be accurate.

Torquay

Bells Beach

With an international reputation as one of Australia’s best surf beaches, Bells Beach is amazing spot – either in the water or out. There isn’t much ‘beach’ at Bells, it’s mostly a glorious cliff-face, and views from the cliff-top car park are spectacular – a great spot to watch local surfers out in the water. There are several quality surfing spots in the precinct from Southside to Steps Reef. Every Easter Bells Beach hosts the international professional surfing community for the Rip Curl Pro event. To get to Bells Beach, travel along the Great Ocean Road past Jan Juc – turn left into Bells Boulevard and follow the signs. General Beach Hazard Rating: 6 Least hazardous: 1-3 Moderately hazardous: 4-6 Highly hazardous: 7-8 Extremely hazardous: 9-10 Hazard rating refers to physical beach and surf conditions ONLY and does not include potentially dangerous marine life. Surfing Bells is a world class right when above 1.5 m. When smaller, the waves break close in to the headland and produce a right called Rincon. Further around the head are two more reef breaks which work below 2 m, called Centre Side (a right) and Southside (a left). Fishing The water is deep right off the beach, while at low tide you can fish from the reefs at each end. General One of the meccas of surfing and well worth a visit, if only to view the beach and surf from the bluffs. Carpark Type: Formal parking area Surface: Sealed Spaces: 200 SLSA provides this information as a guide only. Surf conditions are variable and therefore this information should not be relied upon as a substitute for observation of local conditions and an understanding of your abilities in the surf. SLSA reminds you to always swim between the red and yellow flags and never swim at unpatrolled beaches. SLSA takes all care and responsibility for any translation but it cannot guarantee that all translations will be accurate.

Packages & Offers

Winter Warmer Getaway

A winter escape to Apollo Bay with overnight accommodation for two, three course dinner and continental breakfast

Seahaven Village - Taste of The Bellarine $495

Relax at stunning Barwon Heads Friday and Saturday night in a cosy 4.5 star one bedroom spa suite.

Romantic getaway at Whitecrest Resort from $620

Romantic Getaway package including 2 nights, sparkline wine, fine handmade chocolates and flowers.

Seaside Family Escape $275.00 per night

Includes self-contained two bedroom Apartment, kids eat free at Latitude-38 restaurant, 20% discount off day spa.

BIG 4 Beacon Resort Blues Train Package

A unique musical experience! Toe tapping entertainment, a cool drink and a good laugh. Rock your stay in Queenscliff with Blues Train tickets and award winning accommodation at BIG4 Beacon Resort.

Beaches

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