The seaside town of Torquay is located at the eastern end of the Great Ocean Road in Victoria. Renown for having the closest surfing beaches to Melbourne, it’s also a great place for a beach holiday with your dog. Find out more about visiting Torquay with a dog, including dog-friendly beaches, walks and accommodation.
Dog-Friendly Beaches in Torquay
The best beach to visit around Torquay with your dogs is Whites Beach, on the northern side of Torquay. Dogs are allowed off-leash north of Deep Creek until the start of the Breamlea Flora and Fauna Reserve, with no time restrictions.
The northern section of the beach is also known as Point Impossible Beach and is an official nudist beach – this is clearly signposted at the access point. Dogs do still need to be under effective control and there may be exclusion zones for Hooded Plover chicks.
Dogs are also allowed off-leash with no time restrictions at the beach alongside Torquay Golf Club, immediately west of Rock Point. However, there is no vehicle access to this beach – it’s only accessible by walking trail.
There are also a number of other beaches around Torquay that are off-leash with time restrictions. Between 1st December and 28th February and over Easter dogs are not allowed at all (even leashed) on the beaches between 9am and 7pm. Outside of these times and during the rest of the year they are allowed on the beaches off-leash.
This applies at, from north to south:
- Fishermans Beach, Torquay (south of Deep Creek)
- Front Beach, Torquay (north of W63 emergency marker)
- Surf Beach, Torquay (south of W67 emergency market, until Rocky Point)
- Jan Juc Beach, Jan Juc (south of W74 emergency market)
- Half Moon Bay, Jan Juc (north of the steps)
Dogs are prohibited from the sand at Point Danger in Torquay, including Cosy Corner Beach – in between the W63 and W67 emergency markers. At Bells Beach, dogs are only allowed on the beach on a leash, and not at all during the surf tournament.
For more details including a handy map, refer to the council website.
Dog-Friendly Walks in Torquay
There are some great dog-friendly walks to enjoy with your pup in and around Torquay. For starters, unlike the Great Ocean Walk further south, the Surf Coast Walk is completely dog-friendly. Leashed dogs allowed are allowed along the full length of the 44.3km walk that runs in between Impossible Point in Torquay and Fairhaven.
The walk is split into 12 suggested shorter sections, each 2-3km long, ideal for shorter walks with your pup. On the website (linked above), there are details on each section, including the walking surface and whether it is hilly. Of course, you can also walk along many of the adjacent beaches with your dog, depending on the time of year.
Dog-Friendly Sightseeing Around Torquay
In addition to the above beaches and walks, check out these dog-friendly attractions to enjoy with your pup in and around Torquay during your visit.
#1 Check out the Surf at Bells Beach
Bells Beach is a legendary surf beach and home to the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, formerly the Bells Beach Surf Classic, every year at Easter time. Don’t miss checking out the surf at this beach, with a handy lookout next to the carpark. Dogs are also allowed on leash on the beach, outside of the surf tournament.
#2 Explore the Great Otway National Park
The Great Otway National Park is one of the few dog-friendly national parks in Victoria, with dogs allowed at selected locations. Immediately south of Bells Beach, leashed dogs are allowed at the following locations:
- Southside Beach
- The adjacent clothing-optional Addiscott Beach
- Ironbark Basin Picnic Area
- Point Addis to Anglesea via beach and the Surf Coast Walk
For more details, see this guide to the northern section of the national park, that also covers the areas south of Anglesea.
#3 Discover the History of Torquay
Torquay has a long post-European history, dating back to the 1840s when a settlement known as Spring Creek was established. It became a popular tourist destination around 1900 and was the site of the first surf club in Victoria, when the Torquay Surf Life Saving Club was established in 1945.
To find out more about the town’s history, follow the Torquay History Walking Trail, which has been established by the local historical society. There are 28 historic markers around the town, each with signs and photographs.
#4 Ride on an Historic Train
About a 45 minute drive northeast of Torquay is Queenscliff Railway Station, home to the Bellarine Railway. Friendly dogs are welcome to hop aboard the Swan Bay Express, an historic train hauled by steam engines, complete with old-fashioned old train carriages.
There are generally three departures of the train on Sundays, most public holidays and selected extra days during school holidays. The train trip lasts about 45 minutes. There is no charge for pets, with special dog tickets issued as a memento.
Dog-Friendly Parks in Torquay
There are multiple parks around Torquay where dogs are allowed off-leash. The best guide to off-leash dog parks is the map put together by the council, or check the signs at the local parks. Some of the off-leash dog parks include the reserve at Whites Beach, Spring Creek Reserve and Bob Pettit Reserve in Jan Juc, except when events are taking place.
Taylor Park, opposite the southern end of Fishermans Beach, has the same time restrictions as many beaches, with no dogs allowed 9am to 7pm from December to February and over Easter, but dogs allowed off-leash the rest of the time.
Dog-Friendly Dining in Torquay
One of the best dog-friendly cafes in Torquay is the Salty Dog Cafe, located right next to the beach access track to Fishermans Beach. This cafe is very popular with dog owners, with dogs welcome at the outdoor tables and plenty of water bowls on hand. The cafe is open daily from 6am to 3pm.
Many other cafes around Torquay will also allow dogs, if they have outdoor tables, but it’s always best to ask before taking a seat.
Pet-Friendly Accommodation in Torquay
Note: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive commission if you make a purchase using the links. See my full disclaimer.
A great pet-friendly caravan in Torquay that allows dogs year round is Ingenia Holidays Torquay. Dogs are allowed on both powered and unpowered sites, plus in selected cabins – the Puppy Penthouse cabin and the Pet-Friendly Two-Bedroom Villas. Both of these options also have their own fenced yard. The park is just a short walk from Fishermans Beach.
Another pet-friendly option is the recently refurbished The Sands Torquay Resort. Six of the classic rooms on the ground floor are dog-friendly, each with a fenced outdoor terrace. The resort is conveniently close to the off-leash Whites Beach.
Only one dog under 20kg is permitted per room and you’ll need to bring your dog’s bed. See if the Paws & Relax Retreat offer is currently available, which also includes a dog treat and bouncy ball, plus a discounted rate.
Head Next To
- Dog-Friendly Geelong
- Dog-Friendly Lorne
- Drive along more of the Great Ocean Road
About the Author
Shandos Cleaver is the founder of Travelnuity: Dog-Friendly Travel. She has travelled extensively with her Miniature Dachshund, Schnitzel, including to 33 countries across Europe, every state and territory of Australia except Tasmania, and 10 of the United States. She’s passionate about providing inspiration and information to others wanting to travel with their dogs, whether close to home or internationally.