Visitor Information, Water Sports, Winchelsea, Great Ocean Road and Region, Victoria, Australia

Visitor information

Visitor Information Centres

The Great Ocean Road has several local accredited Visitor Information Centres. Drop in or call for more information on the region and help with planning your holiday.

	Geelong and Great Ocean Road Princes Hwy Little River, Victoria 3211 Phone (toll free): 1800 620 888 Ph: +61 3 5283 1735 Fax: +61 3 5223 2069
	Geelong 26 Moorabool St Geelong, Victoria 3220 Phone (toll free): 1800 620 888 Ph: +61 3 5222 2900 Fax: +61 3 5223 2069
	Apollo Bay 100 Great Ocean Road Apollo Bay, Victoria 3233 Ph: +61 3 5237 6529 Fax: +61 3 5237 6194
	Colac Cnr Queen & Murray Sts Colac, Victoria 3250 Ph: 1300 689 297 Fax: +61 3 5232 2764
	Lorne 15 Mountjoy Pde Lorne, Victoria 3232 Ph: +61 3 5289 1152 Fax: +61 3 5289 2492
	Queenscliff 55 Hesse St Queenscliff, Victoria 3225 Ph: +61 3 5258 4843 Fax: +61 3 5258 3726
	Torquay Surf City Plaza Torquay, Victoria 3228 Ph: +61 3 5261 4219 Fax: +61 3 5261 4756

Look for the sign. Offices are open 9am to 5pm, 7 days a week.

When in Melbourne...

If you're in Melbourne we suggest you visit the Visitor Information Centre at Federation Square.

Situated on the corner of Swanston and Flinders Streets, directly across from Flinders Street train station and its tram interchanges, the Visitor Centre is a one-stop shop for discovering what Melbourne and the Great Ocean Road have to offer visitors.

Open: 9am to 6pm, 7 days a week
Ph: +61 3 9658 9658

Highlights

Geelong Waterfront

Enterprize - Melbourne's Tall Ship

Have you dreamt of coming to sea on a traditional tall ship? Melbourne's tall ship Enterprize has an all year round program of public sails from Melbourne and locations around Port Phillip within 50 kilometres of Melbourne. Suitable for people of all age groups with trips ranging from short one hour and one and a half hour early evening cruises, to overnight and full day trips. Also available for school, corporate and special occasion charters. In May Enterprize has sailings each weekend: Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 May Enterprize is in Geelong for a Pirate Weekend. Both days crew and passengers dressed in pirate costume, with one hour sails on Corio Bay from 11am. Pirate games and best dressed pirate costume competition from 1.30 to 2.30 on Saturday. Drive to Geelong for the day or catch VLine train to Geelong and then 20 minute walk to Stony Pier, Geelong. Half day Port Transit trip on Enterprize Geelong to Melbourne Docklands leaving Geelong at 1pm on Monday 6 May. Friday 10 May Enterprize departs at 6pm from Melbourne Docklands for a full night/day Overnight Adventure sail. One hour sails and ship inspections from Melbourne Docklands on Sunday 12 May. On 18 and 19 May Enterprize will be at Williamstown. One hour sails and inspections from 11am each day, For June long weekend, 7 - 10 June, Enterprize will be in Portarlington for the National Celtic Festival. Performers on board daily one hour sails. Port transit Melbourne Docklands to Portarlington, with return on Monday 10th. Advance bookings recommended for Pirate weekend and longer trips. Tickets for shorter trips available from ship 30 minutes prior to sailing for shorter trips. Go to website or call for further information and online bookings.

Jan Juc

Point Addis Marine National Park

The Point Addis Marine National Park features spectacular scenery with wide sandy beaches, crumbling limestone and sandstone cliffs, rocky platforms and copious small rocky reefs. The coastline is exposed to intense wave action from the southern ocean, a major contributor to the shaping of this rugged coastline. Visitors exploring the marine environment within this park may enjoy exploring the limestone reefs with abundant rockpools filled with marine life. The subtidal waters are recognised as supporting a wide range of fish and algae species as well as seals, dolphins, brilliantly coloured sponge gardens and extensive rhodolith beds. Offshore, and often difficult to access due to tides and swell, Ingoldsby Reef is a particularly popular destination for divers to explore and search for such creatures. Aboriginal Traditional Owners Parks Victoria acknowledges the Aboriginal Traditional Owners of Victoria - including its parks and reserves. Through their cultural traditions, Aboriginal people maintain their connection to their ancestral lands and waters. Indigenous tradition indicates that this park is part of the Country of the Wathaurong people and that Indigenous people have a long association with this region. Before you go Conditions can change in parks for many reasons. For the latest information on changes to local conditions, please visit the relevant park page on the Parks Victoria website. Be bushfire ready in the great outdoors. Refer to the Bushfire Safety section on the Parks Victoria website for tips on how to stay safe.

Geelong

Freedom Bay Cruises

Families, visitors and locals can enjoy a relaxing cruise around Corio Bay on board Freedom Bay Cruises. Freedom is a 14.5 metre catamaran with upper and lower decks and viewing areas on the bow and stern. There are options to be outside or under cover. The one hour cruise is a great introduction to Geelong's award winning waterfront and history. During the cruise you will see yachts under sail and ship movements in the port. Dolphins and jellyfish are a highlight for everyone and the kids can have their photo taken in the captain's chair at the helm. A commentary and slide show enhances the cruise experience. Cruises depart from Steampacket Quay, near Cunningham Pier, Geelong at 11am, 1pm and 3pm. Tickets can be purchased at the boat. Cruises operate on weekends from September to May and bookings are recommended on the day. A licensed bar and kiosk is open during the cruise to purchase drinks, chips and souvenirs. Access to the vessel is via a gangway and four steps and there is ample seating for up to 60 passengers. The cruise is suitable for all ages with room for prams and wheelie frames. Freedom also operates group cruise Monday to Friday offering morning/afternoon teas and lunches. Private parties can be booked for up to 60 passengers 7 days a week.

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 We provide 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. We remind you to always swim between the red and yellow flags and never swim at unpatrolled beaches.

Torquay

Learn to Surf

What better place to learn to surf than in the birthplace of Australian surfing? There are several licensed tour operators and qualified instructors who run learn to surf classes on beaches close to Torquay. Catering for individuals or groups, often equipment hire and transport can be included in the price.

Torquay

Surf Torquay

Torquay lives and breathes surfing, and the region has a global reputation as an amazing surf destination. Bells Beach hosts the annual Rip Curl Pro, where the best surfers in the world compete each Easter. Nearby Winkipop is also popular with experienced surfers. Torquay and Jan Juc offer good conditions for those wanting to learn to surf, and several schools operate classes at local beaches. Surf conditions can vary greatly, check with the Visitor Information Centre or local Surf Life Saving Club.

Torquay

Surf World Museum

The Surf World Museum in Torquay, Australia’s surfing capital, celebrates the story of surfing. It also charts Australia’s significant contribution to the development of surfing around the world. Through the colourful and exciting permanent displays and temporary exhibitions of important surfing artefacts and memorabilia, the museum commemorates Australia’s fantastic surfing heritage and rich beach culture. An unforgettable experience, Surf World provides the opportunity to immerse yourself in one of Australia’s most popular pastimes. It’s a place where you can experience or relive, surfing’s sense of fun, and marvel at the changes that have taken place over the years. We look forward to welcoming you.

Packages & Offers

See, Do, Stay & Save

Welcome to goTravlr, your passport to great deals in Geelong, the Bellarine and the Great Ocean Road.

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.

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.

Barwon Heads Golf Club Winter Escape

$240 per couple per night

Wyndham Resort Torquay Couples Spa Indulge Package

$379 per night (Double or Twin share)

Geelong Riverview Tourist Park Summer Special

15% discount per night

Water Sports

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