Hike at a Glance

Quick overview: Experience the thrill of the Surf Coast Walk, a 44.2km trail located in Victoria's stunning Surf Coast. Starting from Point Impossible and ending at Anglesea, this Grade 3 moderate hike offers captivating seaside landscapes and views of iconic Bells Beach and Split Point Lighthouse. With Torquay, Australia's surf capital, as the nearest town, the trail includes unique features like the Koorie Cultural Walk and cliff views at Anglesea and Point Roadknight. Ideal for multi-day hiking, you can soak up the local Indigenous heritage and enjoy the convenience of accessible trail points and public transport options.

Length:

44.2km

Duration:

2 days

Grade:

Style:

One Way

Max elevation: 116m

Min elevation: -2m

Total Ascent: 1148m

Start: Point Impossible

End: Anglesea

Surf Coast

Victoria

Nearby town: Torquay

From state capital: 104km

Latitude: -38.3057538

Longitude: 144.3766979

Overview

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Hike overview

The Surf Coast Walk is a world-class 44km multi-use trail that takes visitors through inspiring seaside landscapes interspersed with coastal villages. Its easy access and 12 trail heads make it perfect for a short, long or multiday experience. The trail takes in the beaches near Australia's surf capital, Torquay, including iconic Bells Beach, before striking out for Point Addis' grand views of sweeping bays and impressive lookouts. Walkers can learn about local Indigenous heritage on Koorie Cultural Walk and be wowed by more soaring cliffs at Anglesea and Point Roadknight before the Split Point lighthouse grows ever closer on the headland horizon signalling the trail's end at Fairhaven. Along the way, unique villages offer creature comforts and cultural events.

The Surf Coast Walk can be journeyed in either direction or broken into shorter sections according to what distance you would prefer to undertake and what coastal features you would like to see. There are car park access points along its length, as well as plentiful public transport (coach) drop-off and pick-up points useful for getting on and off the trail.

The trail is shared-use for many sections. Cycling is permitted from the start point at Point Impossible all the way through to Ironbark Basin Car Park, to the north of Point Addis. Cyclists can rejoin the trail at Hurst Road Car Park (accessible via a dirt two-wheel drive road), and ride all the way into Anglesea to Point Roadknight. Other sections are walker-only designated, except for a short section from Split Point Lighthouse Car Park, to the trail's end at Fairhaven.

Traditionally the starting point of the trail is considered the northern end at Point Impossible, located on the coast between Torquay and Breamlea. From Point Impossible the Surf Coast Walk tracks south west along a gravel road behind the dunes of Whites Beach, through traditional Wathaurung Country, where Indigenous inhabitants camped for thousands of years.

The trail eventually reaches the outskirts of Torquay, the wellspring of Australia's surfing culture where the town's promenade skirts Torquay's Front Beach and Cosy Corner to Point Danger, which features an expansive lookout back towards Point Impossible.

Heading up and over Rocky Point, you leave Torquay behind in favour of the wide, sweeping trails that weave between the village of Jan Juc and its impressive cliff-backed beaches past Bird Rock to the famous clifftops above Bells Beach.

Briefly leaving the coast, the trail explores the coastal heathlands and into the Ironbark Basin, a unique patch of woodland wilderness. Spectacular lookouts over Addiscot Beach and a Koorie Cultural Walk are highlights before you join a short beach section, then climb up through the Great Otway National Park to the cliffs of Anglesea.

At Anglesea River mouth the trail heads inland briefly tracking the inlet before once again climbing impressive cliffs for more great ocean views.

From sheltered Point Roadknight Beach a four-kilometre beach section takes visitors to Urquhart Bluff, with a view of Split Point Lighthouse the entire way.

Twisting single trail leads away from Urquharts, through coastal heathland, eventually popping along cliffs leading to the foot of the lighthouse, which is worthy of a tour.

Following the headland, you drop over the side to the inlet for which Aireys is named and from here it is an easy walk up and over the waterway to the greet the trail's end at the Fairhaven SLSC.

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Walk map and GPX file
Surf Coast Walk (44.2km)

Total distance: 44277 m
Max elevation: 116 m
Min elevation: -2 m
Total climbing: 1148 m
Total descent: -1140 m

Getting there

Getting to the trailhead: Surf Coast.

From Melbourne, the drive is approximately 75 minutes to Torquay via the Geelong Ring Road to Point Impossible, located on the coast between Torquay and Breamlea.

Alternatively, there is a V/Line train service from Southern Cross Railway Station (Melbourne City) to Geelong Railway Station (Geelong), and from there a McHarrys coach service (Routes 73 and 74) to Boston Road/Pearl Street (Torquay).

Get there with Google Maps

Closest towns to this walk: Aireys Inlet, Anglesea, Bellbrae, Bells Beach, Geelong, Jan Juc, Point Addis, Torquay

Similar walks nearby

Looking for more walks in or near Surf Coast? Try these trails with a similar difficulty grade.

Track grade

Grade 3 (Moderate) - Walks for Most Fitness Levels: Grade 3 on the AWTGS represents moderate walking tracks. These are ideal for walkers with some fitness who are comfortable with some hills and uneven terrain. While suitable for most ages, some bushwalking experience is recommended to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Tracks may have short, steep hill sections, a rough surface, and many steps. The total distance of a Grade 3 walk can be up to 20 kilometers.

Explore safe

Plan ahead and hike safely! Carry enough water, pack layers for changing conditions, and bring safety gear like a torch, PLB, and reliable communication device. Check official sources for trail updates, closures, and access requirements, and review local weather and bushfire advice. Most importantly, share your plans with someone before you go. Being prepared makes for a safer and more enjoyable hike! Stay Safe, Explore More, and Always #ExploreSafe.

Packing checklists

What you carry in your pack depends on factors like weather, terrain, and your adventure type. Not sure what to bring? My free planning, food, and packing checklists are a great starting point, covering day hikes, overnight trips, and multi-day adventures. Use them to customise your kit and always prioritise safety.

Let someone know

Before heading out, take a moment to fill out your trip intentions form. It’s a quick way to share your hike details with family or friends. If something goes wrong, they can notify emergency services, ensuring a faster response and peace of mind. Stay safe and enjoy your adventure

Reviews
Surf Coast Walk (44.2km)

11 Reviews on “Surf Coast Walk (44.2km)”

Overall rating

Shelley Ottaway

Tina, Rebecca, Melissa

24/03/2022, 05:23

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Cass Sweb

Van Diemens

24/03/2022, 05:23

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Tania Smith

This is our walk Cass Fitzgerald ????

24/03/2022, 05:23

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Marguerite Davie

What about a family walk? Alex Jones-Roberts Tristan Andrew Stefan Toniolo

24/03/2022, 05:23

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WinterluxeLife

This sounds amazing!

24/03/2022, 05:23

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Kirsty Sands

Lisa Evans Hayley Hadj

24/03/2022, 05:23

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1. Kylie Esler
  
  Lorraine Placid Barham.
  
  24/03/2022, 05:23
  
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  1. Fiona Stephenson
    
    Lynne Brown lets get onto this!
    
    06/10/2019, 07:51
    
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  2. Bree Bonaccorso
    
    Matthew Yee Debbie Russell try 5.5hrs rather than 2 days ?
    Also I don’t remember seeing the 12 apostles?? They are further up right?
    
    24/03/2022, 05:23
    
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    1. Kerri Nugent
      
      Michele Narkiewicz this might be worth doing
      
      06/09/2019, 21:09
      
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    2. Bev Johnston
      
      Michelle Toniolo-Jacgung another possibility for us?
      
      24/03/2022, 05:23
      
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      1. Joshua Ming
        
        Nick Lyell
        
        06/10/2019, 19:45
        
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      2. Kylie Esler
        
        Of corse you know I’m always keen… it’ll just be if I work ?
        
        24/03/2022, 05:23
        
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    3. Lorraine Placid Barham
      
      Ok babe
      
      24/03/2022, 05:23
      
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      1. Shelley Ottaway
        
        Preparation starts now… I know, I know…
        
        24/03/2022, 05:23
        
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      2. Ann Cornish
        
        Sally Connor excellent! Xx
        
        06/10/2019, 12:59
        
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      3. Sarah Jane
        
        Rowan McKenzie
        
        06/11/2019, 07:31
        
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      4. Laine McNamara
        
        Prob not far enough along the GOR tho (it’s the Torquay end rather than the Apostle end)
        
        24/03/2022, 05:23
        
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      5. Laine McNamara
        
        Sarah, only 2 days! Need to be ‘hike’ fit still 🙂
        
        24/03/2022, 05:23
        
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      6. Dani Campbell
        
        Samantha one for the bucket list.
        
        24/03/2022, 05:23
        
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      7. Melissa Coles
        
        Shelley Ottaway I think he is going to miss me ??
        
        24/03/2022, 05:23
        
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  3. Olivia Tehan
    
    Sylvia Rossi I feel a weekend journey is on the cards???
    
    24/03/2022, 05:23
    
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2. Tina Shanahan
  
  Shelley Ottaway You’re already more prepared than me! lol
  
  24/03/2022, 05:23
  
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3. Sarah McNamara
  
  Slowly getting there ?
  
  24/03/2022, 05:23
  
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Acknowledgement of Country

Trail Hiking Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we hike and pay respects to their Elders, past and present, and we acknowledge the First Nations people of other communities who may be here today.

Curated by: Darren Edwards | Trail Hiking Australia

Last modified:

February 25, 2025

Hike at a Glance

Hike overview

Gallery

Walk map and GPX file
Surf Coast Walk (44.2km)