Anglesea is a delightful seaside town along the Great Ocean Road between the towns of Aireys Inlet and Torquay. This town is particularly significant as it marks the first spot on the Great Ocean Road from Torquay. The Anglesea’s beautiful beaches are surrounded by stunning coastal scenery and forests, making this a popular tourist destination. If this sounds appealing to you, read on as we visit and explore Anglesea and it’s unforgettable sights.
Anglesea’s Breathtaking Beaches:
Beaches tend to be a draw for tourists and Anglesea has some breathtaking beaches to enjoy summer or winter. Between the Main Beach and Point Road-Knight, you’ll have your pick of safe, patrolled coastline to head out for a romantic walk, an adventurous break or a fun family day out. The Anglesea beaches include:
Anglesea Main Beach:
As its name suggests, the main beach is the number one beach spot in the town. Main Beach has shallow waves that are ideal for newbie surfers. You can learn to surf with pro guidance for all ages or you could simply reach the beach as a lovely conclusion to a stroll along the river.
Point Roadknight:
This is a sheltered bay beach that is popular with families. There is plenty to see and do with sailing and windsurfing, a cafe/kiosk and a boat ramp.
Soapy Rocks:
This back beach can be found between Point Roadknight and the Anglesea Surf Club. It takes its name from the outcrop of slippery rocks found at either end of the beach, but this makes Soapy Rocks very explorable for adventurers of all ages.
Bells Beach:
Bells Beach has an international reputation and is renowned as one of the best surf beaches in Australia. There is a glorious cliff face and the views from the car park at the top of the cliffs are spectacular. Bells is famous as a surfing destination as every Easter there is an international pro surfing community event where elite surfers from across the globe convene to compete.
However, even if you’re not a surfer, Bells has a natural beauty that makes it well worth visiting. The views are incredible and the beach forms a natural ampitheatre. There is also plenty of wildlife among the coastal scrub. The day we visited Bells beach was cold and we were all rugged up, but there were still surfers out in the water trying to catch a wave.
Natural Wonders Found at Anglesea:
In addition to its splendid beaches, Anglesea has a wealth of natural wonders. The Anglesea Heath is considered the most diverse and richest setting of vegetation in Victoria. You can find approximately a quarter of the plant species in the state here including more than 80 varieties of orchids.
This type of natural vegetation is quite rare today, as while it was once abundant, heathland was cleared to make way for farms, homes and other human expansion. If you’re visiting Anglesea in spring, the heath is a sea of vibrant colours, creating a blanket of vegetation that changes colour week by week.
The heath is divided by river valleys that contain tea trees and scented paperbark, which are home to a number of birds, insects and mammals, creating superb biodiversity.
Aireys Inlet
You could also visit the nearby town of Aireys Inlet to take in even more natural wonders. This coastal town is best known for its pristine beaches, scenic beauty and the iconic Split Point Lighthouse. The lighthouse sits on top of the rugged cliffs providing panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes and coastline.
There are numerous walking trails that provide the opportunity to enjoy the views and explore the cliffs to find secluded coves and beaches.
Outdoor Adventures in Anglesea:
While Anglesea has some of the best beaches in Australia for surfers, there are plenty of other opportunities for outdoor adventures. The Anglesea Riverbank is great for canoeing or stand up paddleboarding. The shallow waters in the estuary are ideal for an introduction for water sports without needing to worry about waves.
The riverbank also has boardwalks and tracks so you can explore the changing landscapes. For keen walkers, you can follow the Surf Coast Walk to the Great Ocean Road to walk all the way to Torquay.
For those who prefer to ride, the Anglesea Bike Park is suitable for all riders and ages. There are more than 400 metres of jump tracks and mountain cross tracks for all experience levels, with challenging mounds, table tops, rollers and jumps. In fact, Anglesea has Victoria’s first pro designed Mountain Cross or 4X track.
Around the bike park, there is a series of trails that are ideal for cross country biking. This makes this a popular destination for both locals and visitors.
Anglesea Family-Friendly Fun:
Have a Game of Golf
While Anglesea is a great destination for adventure lovers, there are also plenty of family-friendly fun activities. The Anglesea Golf Club has a Vern Morcom-designed course set in the natural heathland with a challenging layout. There are 42 bunkers, two practice putting greens, three practice fairways and a driving bay with six bays.
The course also has a resident population of Eastern Grey Kangaroos. You can even take a nature based Kangaroo Tour with electric-powered vehicles to see if you can spot one of the approximately 300 strong kangaroo community.
Mini Golf
There is also an 18 hole mini golf course that is popular with children and adults alike. The course is set on rolling fairways and offers a unique outdoor experience. The course has been designed to suit players of all levels. Some holes offer the opportunity for complete newbies to get a hole in one, while others will challenge the most competitive of players. While staying Anglesea we went and had a game of mini golf. It was a lot of fun although we were challenged by a couple of holes, and our girls are fairly competitive.
Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery
If your idea of family fun is more sweet based, you could visit the Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery. This amazing venue offers the ultimate chocolate experience with tastings, chocolate making demonstrations and a showroom filled with thousands of chocolates. There are so many different types of chocolates it is hard to choose. We were there a couple of weeks before Easter, so there were also a lot of Easter eggs on display.
You can even book a place in a chocolate making workshop or class, with different options for children ages 6 to 12 to adults.
If you need to take time out for a refreshment break, the on site Pod Cafe not only offers delicious sweet desserts, but also a savory menu featuring produce from the on site kitchen garden. When visiting the Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery allow time to sit down and enjoy a coffee and a chocolate dessert it is an enjoyable experience. After you’ve had your fill, you can explore the tranquil setting. Children can explore the gardens, orchard, lavender field or sand play area.
Local Culture and Art Around Anglesea:
Like many of the local coastal towns, Anglesea has a vibrant local culture influenced by its community and surroundings. Although its art scene is not as well known as you would find in larger cities, there are some excellent opportunities to explore the local culture and art.
Anglesea doesn’t have a lot of dedicated art galleries, but you can find works of local artists displayed and on sale in cafes and local businesses. However, the Anglesea Art House offers workshops, classes and events throughout the year. Art House members can display their work in the gallery and at the annual art exhibition.
The Anglesea Market is another platform for local artisans and crafters. You can find artwork, handmade crafts and locally produced items. Depending on when you visit, you may even find there are community events showcasing local artists and performers.
Dining and Culinary Delights in Anglesea:
No trip to Anglesea would be complete without discovering the variety of delicious food and culinary delights. There are some excellent restaurants in the town and along the Great Ocean Road.
Fish and Chips
If you enjoy fish and chips, make sure that you visit Anglesea Fish & Chips. This venue features sustainable local fish varieties provided by the local fishermen. For a classic takeaway, go for the fish & chips, but if you’re in a group, there is a Family pack featuring butterfish, chips, potato cakes and tartare sauce. However, Anglesea Fish & Chips also has sandwiches, burgers and snacks on its menu.
We enjoyed fish and chips a couple of nights while staying at Anglesea.
Morgan’s Bar and Grill
If you want a full dining experience, head to Morgan’s Bar & Grill. This venue has delicious food made using locally sourced ingredients. The burger patties are 100% local and the buttermilk buns are fresh baked and delivered each day. There are even vegan and gluten free options on the menu. You can enjoy a great meal with live music. We enjoyed the atmosphere and the burgers we had were great.
Alternatively, Captain Moonlite is a cliff top venue offering great food and a bird’s eye coastal view. The simple, airy decor provides a backdrop of the view through the floor to ceiling windows. However, the food is not overshadowed by the stunning setting, as Captain Moonlite has been awarded the National Good Food Guide’s One Chef’s Hat three years in a row.
Bumblebeez Cafe
Finally, for a more informal dining experience and a great breakfast, try the Bumblebeez Cafe. This is a superb place for a hearty breakfast to fuel your day of adventuring around the town. We adventured down to the main shopping area one morning for breakfast and came across the Bumblebeez Cafe.
It was very busy, but we were able to find a table for breakfast. The meal and the staff were great and it showed why it was such a popular place with people coming and going the whole time.
Accommodation at Anglesea
Since Anglesea is a popular tourist destination, there are a variety of accommodation options. During our visit we stayed at the Big4 Angalesea holiday park, which had cabins, glamping tents, caravan and camping sites. We stayed in a cabin and took full advantage of the facilities which included an indoor water complex, adventure playground, games room and cinema room.
They also offered a service once a week, where you could order lasagna with a salad. We ordered it and it was delivered to our door and all we had to do was heat it up when we wanted to have dinner.
However, there is also a variety of hotels and motels in Anglesea, bed and breakfasts and holiday homes to suit all budgets. If you’re looking for a more luxurious accommodation option, consider a beachfront resort. These types of resorts not only offer scenic ocean views, but upscale rooms, spa facilities and more.
There are family friendly accommodation options or those that are couples only, so it is easy to find somewhere to stay to suit your preferences and budget.
Conclusion:
Anglesea is a fantastic coastal town with plenty to offer visitors. From the family friendly activities and superb beaches to the stunning natural wonders, there is something to see and do for everyone.
You can create a memorable getaway whether you’re interested in exploration and adventure or a relaxing break. It is well worth taking some time to plan your itinerary according to your preferences and interests. However, if you need further help to seamlessly plan your Anglesea, there are a number of resources including the Travel Victoria website and the local tourist information centre. You’ll also find plenty of helpful information on the Visit Great Ocean Road website that can help you to explore activities, accommodation options, tours, and more.