This coastal town along Victoria's Great Ocean Road draws surfers to its waves and kangaroos to its golf course. The limestone cliffs and Bell's Beach create a dramatic backdrop.
Anglesea sits along Victoria’s Great Ocean Road, 90 minutes southwest of Melbourne. Kangaroos graze on golf course fairways here. Surfers ride waves at Guvvo’s Beach. Walking trails cut through heathlands where one in four of Victoria’s plant species grow. The Anglesea River flows into the ocean at a beach with lifeguards during peak seasons. The Surf Coast Walk links the town to cliffs and small bays. Weekly markets, an art trail with mosaics, and a September wildflower festival shape the town’s low-key coastal character.
Beaches and Surfing
Main Beach spans 400 meters where the river meets the sea, with small waves suited to new surfers. Rent a board from Anglesea Surf Shop or take a lesson in the sheltered waters near Point Roadknight. Confident surfers prefer Guvvo’s Beach west of town, where larger swells break consistently. At Point Roadknight Beach, shallow pools form between rocks during low tide, patrolled on summer weekends. Lifeguards from the Anglesea Surf Life Saving Club monitor Main Beach daily from December to March.
Kangaroos at Anglesea Golf Club
Eastern grey kangaroos roam the Anglesea Golf Club’s fairways, often resting near the 9th and 18th holes. Around 300 live here year-round, feeding on grasses and shrubs. You can watch them from the clubhouse deck or while playing a round—green fees apply for golfing, but viewing is free. The course wraps around native bushland, with glimpses of the ocean from higher tees. Visit near sunrise or sunset to see groups moving across the grounds.
Surf Coast Walk and Coastal Trails
Walk 44 kilometers from Torquay to Aireys Inlet on the Surf Coast Walk, which cuts through Anglesea. Start at the river mouth and follow the path up to clifftops overlooking Point Addis. Shorter routes in Anglesea Heath take you past paperbark trees and spring wildflowers like pink fairy orchants. Drive 10 minutes to Point Addis Marine National Park for a 1.5-kilometer trail explaining Wadawurrung fishing and land management practices. Hikers on the annual Surf Coast Century ultramarathon pass through this area each September.
Coogoorah Park and River Activities
Paddle canoes or kayaks through Coogoorah Park’s quiet river channels, surrounded by tea trees and birdlife. Boardwalks connect islands where cormorants and swamp hens nest. Families use the playground and barbecue areas near the main entrance. Fish for black bream near the river mouth at dawn or dusk. On Sundays, the Riverbank Market fills the park with stalls selling honey, pottery, and used novels.
Angair Wildflower Festival
The Angair Wildflower Festival runs for three weekends each September. Join free guided walks through Anglesea Heath to spot elbow orchids, candlestick banksias, and carnivorous sundews. Experts from the local naturalists’ group explain how controlled burns help native plants regenerate. Kids can join workshops to make seed balls or nature collages. Over 80 types of orchids flower here during the festival, including the rare Anglesea spider orchid.
Point Addis and Coastal Lookouts
Drive 15 minutes to Point Addis Beach, where surfers tackle waves below 50-meter cliffs. A signed trail along the cliff edge details Wadawurrung stories about the area’s creation. At low tide, explore rock pools filled with purple sea urchins and zebra snails. Access the beach via 150 wooden steps—note that swimming here requires caution due to strong currents. Snorkelers often spot leatherjacket fish and stingrays at nearby Eagle Rock.
Local Markets and Community Events
Over 100 vendors set up at the Anglesea Riverbank Market every Sunday from October to April. Buy smoked almonds, hand-thrown mugs, or secondhand gardening tools while acoustic bands play near the river. In December, free outdoor movie nights and craft workshops take over the town hall grounds. Follow the self-guided Anglesea Art Walk to see mosaics depicting local history, including a tribute to firefighters after the 1983 bushfires.
Eden Project Anglesea
A disused coal mine near Point Addis is becoming Eden Project Anglesea, focusing on environmental education. Planned exhibits will explain how coastal plants survive wildfires and how Wadawurrung people used local minerals. Workers have planted 20,000 native trees and shrubs to restore the site since 2020. Community meetings shaped plans for elevated walkways through regenerated bushland. The project aims to open by 2026, with guided tours during construction available by booking.
Practical Information
Get maps and tide charts at the Anglesea Visitor Information Centre, located next to the river. Drive from Melbourne via the M1 freeway, exiting at Torquay to follow the Great Ocean Road. Stay at the Anglesea Family Caravan Park for beach access, or book a cottage with ocean views. Weekdays outside school holidays see fewer visitors. Wear shoes with grip for slippery coastal paths. Check Parks Victoria’s website for trail closures after heavy rain.
