🔍

Torquay

VIC 3228 • Rest of VIC

18,534
Population (2021)
$119,340
Median Household Income
34.31 km²
Area
$500/wk
Median Rent
Surf CultureCoastal LifestyleGreat Ocean RoadSea-Change
Advertisement

About Torquay

Torquay is Australia's surfing capital, a thriving coastal town of 18,500 at the start of the Great Ocean Road, 79 kilometres from Melbourne's CBD. The home of Rip Curl and Quiksilver, the town has grown from a sleepy surf village into a substantial lifestyle destination while maintaining its beach culture. The famous Bells Beach lies just to the south.

Surf culture permeates everything—the shops, the cafes, the fitness-focused lifestyle. The Surf Coast Walk provides stunning coastal trails, while Torquay's family beaches are gentler than the wilder coast beyond. The community is increasingly professional, with remote workers and sea-changers joining the surf community. Torquay attracts lifestyle seekers, surf devotees, and families wanting coastal living with city-accessible amenities.

Torquay falls under postcode 3228 and is governed by the Surf Coast Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Corangamite, while state elections fall under the Polwarth (Western Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3228
Urban Area
Corangamite - Golden Plains
LGA / Council
Surf Coast
Federal Electorate
Corangamite
State Electorate
Polwarth (Western Victoria)
Type
Urban
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-38.31°, 144.33°
Statistical Area
Rest of VIC
Area
34.31 km²
Population Density
540 /km²
Elevation
36m

📣 Ad

🏷️ Property Prices June quarter 2025

Median sale prices in Torquay for the June quarter 2025. Median sale prices published by the Valuer-General Victoria.

🏡House
$1.18M
73 sales · ▼ 2.5% YoY
🏢Unit / Apartment
$828K
10 sales · ▼ 1.3% YoY

Source: Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report. Medians are for the latest quarter; the change shown is the official 12-month movement. Suburbs with very few sales in a quarter can be volatile.

💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 3228

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 3228, comparing the 2019–20 and 2023–24 financial years.

Median 2019–20
$52,320
Median 2023–24
$62,922
▲ 20.3% increase
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$88,525

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 3228; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

Census personal income 2016 vs 2021

Personal Income 2016
$39,728
Personal Income 2021
$52,936
▲ 33.2% increase

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

2021 Census income breakdown

Personal = median for one earner. Household = all members of a dwelling pooled. Family = related members only. Annual = weekly × 52.

Personal
$52,936 / yr
$1018/wk
Household
$119,340 / yr
$2295/wk
Family
$136,604 / yr
$2627/wk
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$500
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$2,167
Avg Household Size
2.7 people
Median Age
39 years

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Local bus services — Melbourne CBD Varies

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
78 km
By Train
Train access via local station
By Car (Peak)
70-120 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
55-90 min

🛣️ Located 78 km from Melbourne CBD

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Some errands can be done on foot near the local centre, but most residents rely on a car for daily needs

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Coles
    Torquay Central 41-57 Bristol Road Torquay 3228 VIC
  • Woolworths
    Cnr Bristol Road & Walker Street Torquay 3228 VIC

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
13,258
Census 2021
18,534
▲ 39.8% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the Surf Coast Local Government Area, which contains Torquay. Rates are per 100,000 residents for the year ending September 2025; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods.

Break & enter (dwelling)
135.6 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 71.3%
Motor vehicle theft
98.6 / 100k
2yr Up 84.6% 10yr Down 57.1%
Non-FV assault
128.2 / 100k
2yr Up 14.5% 10yr Stable
Robbery (unarmed)
2.5 / 100k
2yr — 10yr Down 62.4%
Steal from vehicle
347.7 / 100k
2yr Up 15.8% 10yr Down 46.5%
View all offence subgroups for Surf Coast →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 15,352
Born Overseas 2,477

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 694
  • 2. New Zealand 284
  • 3. South Africa 166
  • 4. Scotland 107
  • 5. United States 101
  • 6. Germany 92
  • 7. Netherlands 89
  • 8. Canada 80
  • 9. Ireland 73
  • 10. Italy 65

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 7,998
Australian 7,090
Irish 2,957
Scottish 2,465
Italian 901
German 865
Dutch 456
Maltese 214
Polish 200
Chinese 176

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace

11,837
Both parents born in Australia
3,255
Both parents born overseas
2,619
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
52.9%
Christianity
40.1%
Buddhism
0.7%
Islam
0.2%
Hinduism
0.1%
Judaism
0.1%
Sikhism
0.1%

📣 Ad

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
1,333 (7.2%)
5-14 years
2,820 (15.2%)
15-19 years
1,019 (5.5%)
20-24 years
813 (4.4%)
25-34 years
1,884 (10.2%)
35-44 years
3,043 (16.4%)
45-54 years
2,602 (14.0%)
55-64 years
1,982 (10.7%)
65-74 years
1,916 (10.3%)
75-84 years
814 (4.4%)
85+ years
310 (1.7%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Torquay known for? +

Torquay is a well-established residential suburb in Surf Coast, VIC, with a population of approximately 18,534 residents. The suburb is valued for its local schools, parks, and community facilities.

How far is Torquay from Melbourne CBD? +

Torquay is approximately 78 kilometres from Melbourne CBD, typically a 55-90 min drive outside peak hours.

Does Torquay have public transport? +

Torquay is served by local bus services connecting to the broader VIC network. Nearby train stations provide access to Melbourne CBD.

What is the population of Torquay? +

According to the 2021 Census, Torquay has a population of approximately 18,534 residents.

Is Torquay a good place to live? +

Torquay offers a practical and liveable lifestyle with local schools, parks, and shopping. With a median income around $52,320, it attracts a broad demographic mix.

What is the postcode for Torquay? +

The postcode for Torquay, VIC is 3228.

What is the average income in Torquay? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Torquay is about $1,018 per week (around $52,900 per year). The median household income is $2,295 per week and the median family income is $2,627 per week.

What is the median house price in Torquay? +

As of June quarter 2025, the median house price is $1,180,000, down 2.5% year-on-year, and the median unit/apartment price is $827,500, down 1.3% year-on-year. Figures are based on Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report.

What is the age profile of Torquay? +

The median age in Torquay is 39. The largest age group is 35–44 (3,043 residents, around 16%). Around 28% of residents are under 20 and about 16% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Torquay a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Torquay is part of the Surf Coast LGA — see the Crime Statistics section on this page for the latest recorded offence rates per 100,000 residents, along with 2-year and 10-year trends.

How much is rent in Torquay? +

In Torquay, the median weekly rent is $500, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $2,167 (2021 Census).