Australian National Surfing Museum in Torquay, Victoria: Review

The Australian National Surfing Museum, in Torquay along Victoria’s Great Ocean Road, is the top spot for learning about surfing history in Australia.

The Australian National Surfing Museum is a key reason to visit Torquay, Victoria. Others include learn-to-surf lessons.

Surfing pedigree in Torquay, Australia

The breeze is up in the Victorian town of Torquay. There should be a decent swell in what has become one of the world’s surfing capitals. This small town, 103km south-west of Melbourne, has become one of the surfing industry’s global powerhouses.

Key surfwear and board brands Quiksilver and Ripcurl were founded here. They still have their HQs by the main highway.

Art surfboards at the Australian National Surfing Museum in Torquay — Surfboards as art at the Australian National Surfing Museum in Torquay, Victoria. Photo by David Whitley/ Australia Travel Questions.

Inside Torquay’s visitor information centre, the Australian National Surfing Museum delves into just how the Australian surfing scene managed to rise. And it is one of the best things to do on the Great Ocean Road.

7 fantastic Great Ocean Road experiences
1. Crowd-beating reverse direction tour. 2. Surfing lessons in Anglesea. 3. Split Point Lighthouse climb. 4. Shockwave Zip-Coaster. 5. Guided wildlife walk. 6. Budj Bim National Park tour. 7. Great Ocean Road by motorbike.

Australian National Surfing Museum: Surfing history in Australia

The story of surfing history in Australia starts with two key pictures. The first is an illustration of Captain James Cook’s fleet arriving in Hawaii’s Kealakekua Bay in January 1778. It was drawn by John Webber, the official artist on the expedition, and it’s a tiny detail that makes it significant.

In the foreground, is the first know depiction of what we now call a surfboard. The sport came from Hawaii, and this is the proof that it’s centuries old.

The earliest known photograph of an Australian surfer is placed next to it. It’s of Tommy Walker, taken in the summer on 1911/12 at Yamba Main Beach in the New South Wales beach town of Yamba.

Your Torquay checklist

Skydive from 15,000ft – see the Great Ocean Road from above and get the thrill of your life.
Learn to surf – get standing on your board by the end of a beginner’s surfing lesson.
Book your Torquay accommodation.

Duke Kahanamoku’s visit to Australia

For a long time, until this photo emerged, most believed surfing history in Australia started in the summer of 1914/15. That’s when legendary Hawaiian surfer Duke Kahanamoku came to Australia. He gave demonstrations and surfing lessons at Bondi Beach in Sydney.

But it seems as though Walker and friends had gone to Hawaii before Duke arrived in Bondi. They tried surfing out when they got home, and didn’t attempt to make a big deal of it.

Pick the right Great Ocean Road tour from Melbourne

For wildlife and nature focus: One day tour with koalas and guided forest walk.
To beat the crowds: Reverse direction Great Ocean Road day tour.
For adventure: Two day camping and surfing trip.
For backpackers: One day highlights tour aimed at younger travellers.
For exclusivity and flexibility: Private tour where you can pick the sights you want to see.
For an extended trip: Three day Melbourne to Adelaide tour.

The Australian surfing industry

The Australian National Surfing Museum in Torquay is surprisingly gripping on how surfing went from niche pastime to multi-million dollar industry. The initial boards are literally just wooden ironing boards, but the designs and materials used have improved with time.

Now, at the end of the museum, there are displays of the latest technologies. These include heated wetsuits designed for use in the Arctic and leg rope leashes with built-in magnetic shark repellents.