Explore family-friendly beaches, surf the renowned breaks, play a round of golf with a mob of kangaroos or relax in a casual oceanfront café in Anglesea, a seaside town in Victoria’s Great Ocean Road region. Anglesea’s sweeping, sandy main beach makes it a popular getaway for families, while the surf beach, golf course, stunning nature reserves and scenic headland trails will be sure to delight anyone looking for an active escape on Victoria’s Surf Coast.
Anglesea is an ideal spot for a day at the beach. Pack a picnic, towels, sun protection and a surfboard and head down to the town’s Main Beach, which has a wide sandy section at the shallow tidal river mouth. Pick a spot on the expanse of sand and settle in for the day. This beach is home to the Anglesea Surf Life Saving Club, which patrols Main Beach and the nearby Point Roadknight Beach during the summer period. A section of Main Beach features gentle breaks, ideal for beginner surfers. More experienced surfers might want to check out the bigger swells further north or south of town.
Discover Anglesea’s beautiful eucalyptus forests and coastal wilderness on a network of well-signposted nature trails. Begin the 1-hour Point Addis Koorie Cultural Walk at nearby Point Addis to learn about the heritage and culture of the area’s local Aboriginal people. This spot is also popular launching spot for hang-glider tours. At the Anglesea Golf Club, you can see eastern grey kangaroos grazing on the fairways at dawn or dusk.
Enjoy a barbecue lunch at one of the picnic areas dotted along Anglesea’s oceanfront Coastal Reserve and Coogoorah Park. Find cafés, restaurants, boutique stores and surf shops along Anglesea’s main streets.
Nestled in between Torquay and Aireys Inlet, Anglesea is the first stop heading southwest on the Great Ocean Road from the road’s official start at Torquay. Spend a day or a week exploring Anglesea’s nature trails and scenic beaches. Visit in summer for great beach conditions or in spring to spot beautiful native Australian wildflowers, including rare orchids.