Photo: Diceman at English Wikipedia / Public domain
Anglesea is a laid-back coastal town on Victoria's Great Ocean Road, known for its wild surf beaches, stunning heathland, and the iconic Anglesea Golf Club where kangaroos roam freely. It's a perfect stop for travellers seeking a blend of outdoor adventure and relaxed beachside charm.
Highlights & What to See
- Anglesea Beach & Point Roadknight: Two excellent surf beaches with consistent waves. Point Roadknight is more sheltered, ideal for families, while the main beach offers powerful breaks for experienced surfers. Swim between the flags in summer.
- Anglesea Golf Club: Famous for its resident eastern grey kangaroos that graze on the fairways. You can walk or drive the course (with a club map) to spot them up close – a truly unique Aussie wildlife experience.
- Great Otway National Park (Anglesea section): Explore coastal heathland and eucalypt forests on walks like the Coastal Walk from Anglesea to Aireys Inlet (8 km one way) or the shorter Bushrangers Bay Nature Walk, which leads to a secluded beach and rock pools.
- Anglesea River: Paddle a kayak or stand-up paddleboard along the calm river, or fish for bream and mullet. The river mouth is a popular spot for birdwatching.
- Split Point Lighthouse (Aireys Inlet): Just a 5-minute drive south, this iconic red-and-white lighthouse (also known as 'The White Queen') offers panoramic coastal views and is a classic photo stop.
Suggested Time to Spend
Anglesea makes a great half-day to full-day stop along the Great Ocean Road. Most visitors spend 2–3 hours enjoying the beach and golf club kangaroos, then continue on. For a more relaxed pace, stay overnight and combine a morning surf with an afternoon walk in the national park or a sunset visit to the lighthouse.
Nearby Areas Worth Combining
- Torquay: The official start of the Great Ocean Road, 15 minutes east, with world-class surf beaches (Bells Beach) and the Australian National Surfing Museum.
- Aireys Inlet: Adjacent to Anglesea, home to Split Point Lighthouse and the charming Aireys Pub.
- Lorne: A popular seaside resort town 25 minutes west, with a vibrant café scene and waterfalls in the Otway hinterland.
- Great Otway National Park (inland): Drive up to the Otway Fly Treetop Walk or visit the Triplet Falls and Hopetoun Falls – all within an hour's drive.
- Geelong & Bellarine Peninsula: 40 minutes north, explore the waterfront city of Geelong and the peninsula's wineries and beaches.
Please check official sources for current details.
Note: opening hours, prices and booking requirements change often — please check official sources for current details.
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Image credits
- Sovereign Hill — Chensiyuan / CC BY-SA 4.0
- Torquay — Ameins at English Wikipedia / Public domain
- Aireys Inlet — Mertie / CC BY 2.0
- Lorne — Hagai Agmon-Snir حچاي اچمون-سنير חגי אגמון-שניר / CC BY-SA 4.0
- Great Otway National Park — Biatch at English Wikipedia / Public domain
- Geelong — Mattinbgn / CC BY-SA 3.0