We've joined forces with travel & lifestyle blogger Little Miss Melbourne for a girls' getaway road trip, to explore the Great Ocean Road and our first stop is just a short getaway from Melbourne - Torquay!
Torquay is a surfer's paradise, home of Bells Beach and the birthplace of iconic brands Quiksilver and Rip Curl. Torquay is the official gateway of the Great Ocean Road and the perfect start point for surfing and beach worshipping. Torquay is just one-hour easy drive from Melbourne, making it an ideal city escape.
Boutique accommodation in the surf town is hard to come by, so we were thrilled to find Whitesbeach Guesthouse overlooking the ocean. Whitesbeach Guesthouse is a boutique hotel like no other, offering more onsite facilities than you'd expect from a small guesthouse. The checklist of inclusions extends to an indoor heated pool, tennis court, games room, complimentary espresso, free WiFi; need we go on...
We're greeted warmly by the owner and have a glass of wine in our hands within minutes of arrival - I think I'm going to like this place! Our host, Stephen provides a tour of the guesthouse and explains the colourful history of the building. Originally built as a luxury holiday house for a Malaysian dignitary, affectionately dubbed "The Sheik" by locals, it was later turned into a boutique hotel and the new owners have added modern touches to create a warm, welcoming guesthouse.
There are a wide variety of suites to choose from at Whitesbeach Guesthouse, from the simple ground floor east & west suites to fully self-contained townhouse able to sleep a family of seven.
We're allocated the Princess Suite, how perfect for two travel divas! The modern and sophisticated room features two bedrooms and a dual entry bathroom with spa bath, kitchenette and large balcony with views to the ocean. The main living/bedroom area is light & bright and furnished conservatively to appeal to the discerning traveller. The second bedroom isn't as adequately heated leaving our Little Miss a little chilly and the addition of bedside lamps would add to the appeal.
We head out to Bomboras on the main strip for dinner, as we're absolutely craving pizza! The restaurant has a fun vibe, embracing and celebrating the local surfing history. We order some starters and gourmet pizzas to share, but were left a little underwhelmed, perhaps it was the gluten free base which I'm not use to? The service is excellent however, and it would be an ideal choice for family gatherings.
Breakfast is included in the tariff at Whitesbeach Guesthouse and includes a gourmet continental breakfast that can be enjoyed poolside. Keep caffeinated with all day complimentary coffee from the espresso machine, which is affectionately known as "The Beast". It's an intimidating looking machine, but it's actually a cinch to operate.
If you plan to linger longer in Torquay, may we suggest a visit to the Surfworld Museum? The Surfworld Museum celebrates the history of surfing and our rich beach culture in Australia. There are a number of exhibitions and a gift shop to pick up some surfing merch.
For some pampering, head to the region's original Day Spa, Saltair just outside the township. With beautiful vistas of rolling hills and ocean waters its certainly the perfect backdrop to an afternoon of relaxation and indulgence.
We discovered brilliant brunch spot Surfcoast Wholefoods which is a mecca for all things healthy and wholesome! We devoured delicious avo toast and poached eggs, plus picked up some healthy supplies for the road trip. Locals also recommended Café Moby, which looks like it serves up a beach vibe on a plate, located in a converted beach shack.
In the low season, Torquay is a quiet, relaxed beachside haven ideal for a family holiday. In the peak summer months it's heaving with surfers and holidaymakers ready for fun in the sun. Whitesbeach Guesthouse provides sophisticated respite from the daily grind and a great base to explore all that Torquay has to offer.
You can also check out more of our road tripping adventures over at Little Miss Melbourne. Now onward to Lorne!
Have you been to Torquay? What do you love about this surf town?
The writer was a guest of Whitesbeach Guesthouse.Photo credit: alluxia instagramYou Might Also Like: Points South by the Sea
