The best camping near Torquay with horseback riding

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The suburban nook of Torquay, 22 kilometres from Geelong and 100 kilometres from Melbourne, has a low-key, casual vibe. Australia’s oldest surfing capital, it's the start of the Surf Coast and the gateway to the Great Ocean Road. Torquay's front beach is great for families, while nearby surf beaches, such as Jan Juc and Bells Beach, see big swells. There are a couple of excellent caravan parks in town, many of which include beachfront campsites. Torquay is a convenient gateway to Geelong, the Great Ocean Road, and the Bellarine Peninsula, an area rich in wineries and old-fashioned seaside villages.

98% (153) 9 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Torquay

2. Dairy Countryside Camp

99%
(141)
64km from Torquay · 3 sites · Tents, RVs
Green grassy campsites on an Old Victorian Dairy Country Farm House site. The property is located in the Otways, the rail trail is close by for bush walks, wildlife watching or mountain biking. Two micro breweries are within 20 minutes drive (Prickly Moses, Forest Brewery). Otway Fly Treetop Adventures and waterfalls just 30 minutes away. There are many waterfalls within easy driving distance. Apollo Bay is just an hours drive. Campfire and sitting area available for guests use, public toilets that are serviced three times a week and kept hygienically clean, located just 1000mtrs down the road. If you like a hit of tennis, there are two courts near the toilets and a community centre next to the CFA. This is all about being off the grid, soaking up nature and what this region has to offer. You'll spot an abundance of native wildlife on the property - we have koalas in the trees, platypus in the dam, echidnas burrowing in the garden beds, with kangaroos and wallabies passing through the property. There is plenty of room to spread out and enjoy complete privacy, if required a 6 man tent can be supplied and erected for you. You have the entire site to your own, no other campers are normally on site, only one group at a time, so you get to enjoy all the space in nature without worrying about anyone else being around.
Pets
Campfires
Potable water
from 
AU$71
 / night

3. Sunny Lake Farm

95%
(10)
19km from Torquay · 1 site · Tent, RV
Lakeside Escape with Space for Caravans, Campers & Tents Located on the edge of the lake, our gorgeous lake house can accommodate a caravan or motorhome on a designated parking pad. There’s also plenty of room to pitch a tent or swag on flat, grassy areas. A huge deck provides the perfect spot to relax and soak up the sun. The lake house includes a small kitchenette and a separate toilet and shower. Bring a fishing rod to try your luck catching silver perch, or nets for yabbies — there are plenty! There’s an abundance of birdlife, including cockatoos, rosellas, king parrots, kookaburras, and tawny frogmouths. Kangaroos and echidnas often pay us a visit, too. A grassed area with a fire pit is situated a few metres from the lake house, and firewood is available for purchase. Well-behaved dogs are welcome but must be kept on a lead. A grassy dog enclosure is available for guests who wish to explore the area while leaving their pet in a safe space. If you would like to bring your pet, please add the pet fee which is listed as an Extra during the booking process. A wood-fired pizza oven, located in a separate undercover area, is available for use. Lovely bushwalks, motorbike, and horse tracks are located close to the property. World-class surf breaks are within a half-hour drive, with Bells Beach being the most iconic. Torquay is home to surf shops and eateries — Rip Curl, Billabong, Roxy, and Rojo are all within walking distance of each other. You’ll also find great local breweries such as Four Pines and Bells Beach Brewery. Torquay and Anglesea both have vibrant arts scenes — the Ashmore Arts hub is located in Torquay, and Anglesea is home to the Arts Shed. The Eagles Nest Gallery in Aireys Inlet also hosts exhibitions by local artists. Markets are held regularly on the foreshore in Torquay and Anglesea, and there’s a weekly Farmers Market in Torquay.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
from 
AU$85
 / night

4. Shedquarters Bush Escape

100%
(1)
70km from Torquay · 22 sites · Tents, Lodging
Reconnect with nature at this unforgettable escape. With the edge of the Lal Lal State Forest just outside the gate, your nature experience awaits. Bushwalking, mountain bike riding, horse riding are all available throughout the kilometers of bushland tracks. Make memories and bring your horses for some amazing trail rides, walk the peaceful trails immersing in nature with the many birds and animals or maybe just relax by the fires and enjoy the local wildlife and surroundings. Just 1.5 hours from West Melbourne or 50 minutes from Geelong. **Available weekly Friday - Sunday stays.** Things to Do. Bushwalking. Horse Riding - Doran Park Trail Rides is 1 km away and provides arranged horse trail rides, must book in advance. Or bring your own horses to the Shedquarters, there's heaps of room for them to safely and comfortably stay (we are a horse property). Paddocks and a large yard, places to park the float and hay deliveries on request. A homemade grassed arena with jumps available. On the wet days an indoor arena is available to book 5kms away, advanced bookings required. Walk or Ride to - The Shepards Daughters Grave located in the Lal Lal Forest. www.goldfieldsguide.com.au/explore-location/539/grave-of-the-shepherds-daughter/ Lal Lal Falls is 10 kilometers away with BBQ picnic facilities. Hunts Bridge is a free camp area providing fire camp stations for a lovely picnic. The Village of Buninyong is 15kms away. The Farm Gate Shop in Elaine is 7 kms away providing all local produce, and a great place to stock up on the local Meredith Dairy Goats Cheese - in buckets! Local Wineries within driving distance, Clyde Park Winery, Buninyong Winery. Great area for Gold Prospecting. Great place for wood collection, bring the trailer for some hard work (check to see if the forest wood collection is available) Bungal Dam picnic area. Ballan market is held on the second Saturday of the month 9-1pm Ballarat is a 30 minute drive.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
AU$354
 / night

The suburban nook of Torquay, 22 kilometres from Geelong and 100 kilometres from Melbourne, has a low-key, casual vibe. Australia’s oldest surfing capital, it's the start of the Surf Coast and the gateway to the Great Ocean Road. Torquay's front beach is great for families, while nearby surf beaches, such as Jan Juc and Bells Beach, see big swells. There are a couple of excellent caravan parks in town, many of which include beachfront campsites. Torquay is a convenient gateway to Geelong, the Great Ocean Road, and the Bellarine Peninsula, an area rich in wineries and old-fashioned seaside villages.

98% (153) 9 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Torquay

2. Dairy Countryside Camp

99%
(141)
64km from Torquay · 3 sites · Tents, RVs
Green grassy campsites on an Old Victorian Dairy Country Farm House site. The property is located in the Otways, the rail trail is close by for bush walks, wildlife watching or mountain biking. Two micro breweries are within 20 minutes drive (Prickly Moses, Forest Brewery). Otway Fly Treetop Adventures and waterfalls just 30 minutes away. There are many waterfalls within easy driving distance. Apollo Bay is just an hours drive. Campfire and sitting area available for guests use, public toilets that are serviced three times a week and kept hygienically clean, located just 1000mtrs down the road. If you like a hit of tennis, there are two courts near the toilets and a community centre next to the CFA. This is all about being off the grid, soaking up nature and what this region has to offer. You'll spot an abundance of native wildlife on the property - we have koalas in the trees, platypus in the dam, echidnas burrowing in the garden beds, with kangaroos and wallabies passing through the property. There is plenty of room to spread out and enjoy complete privacy, if required a 6 man tent can be supplied and erected for you. You have the entire site to your own, no other campers are normally on site, only one group at a time, so you get to enjoy all the space in nature without worrying about anyone else being around.
Pets
Campfires
Potable water
from 
AU$71
 / night

3. Sunny Lake Farm

95%
(10)
19km from Torquay · 1 site · Tent, RV
Lakeside Escape with Space for Caravans, Campers & Tents Located on the edge of the lake, our gorgeous lake house can accommodate a caravan or motorhome on a designated parking pad. There’s also plenty of room to pitch a tent or swag on flat, grassy areas. A huge deck provides the perfect spot to relax and soak up the sun. The lake house includes a small kitchenette and a separate toilet and shower. Bring a fishing rod to try your luck catching silver perch, or nets for yabbies — there are plenty! There’s an abundance of birdlife, including cockatoos, rosellas, king parrots, kookaburras, and tawny frogmouths. Kangaroos and echidnas often pay us a visit, too. A grassed area with a fire pit is situated a few metres from the lake house, and firewood is available for purchase. Well-behaved dogs are welcome but must be kept on a lead. A grassy dog enclosure is available for guests who wish to explore the area while leaving their pet in a safe space. If you would like to bring your pet, please add the pet fee which is listed as an Extra during the booking process. A wood-fired pizza oven, located in a separate undercover area, is available for use. Lovely bushwalks, motorbike, and horse tracks are located close to the property. World-class surf breaks are within a half-hour drive, with Bells Beach being the most iconic. Torquay is home to surf shops and eateries — Rip Curl, Billabong, Roxy, and Rojo are all within walking distance of each other. You’ll also find great local breweries such as Four Pines and Bells Beach Brewery. Torquay and Anglesea both have vibrant arts scenes — the Ashmore Arts hub is located in Torquay, and Anglesea is home to the Arts Shed. The Eagles Nest Gallery in Aireys Inlet also hosts exhibitions by local artists. Markets are held regularly on the foreshore in Torquay and Anglesea, and there’s a weekly Farmers Market in Torquay.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
from 
AU$85
 / night

4. Shedquarters Bush Escape

100%
(1)
70km from Torquay · 22 sites · Tents, Lodging
Reconnect with nature at this unforgettable escape. With the edge of the Lal Lal State Forest just outside the gate, your nature experience awaits. Bushwalking, mountain bike riding, horse riding are all available throughout the kilometers of bushland tracks. Make memories and bring your horses for some amazing trail rides, walk the peaceful trails immersing in nature with the many birds and animals or maybe just relax by the fires and enjoy the local wildlife and surroundings. Just 1.5 hours from West Melbourne or 50 minutes from Geelong. **Available weekly Friday - Sunday stays.** Things to Do. Bushwalking. Horse Riding - Doran Park Trail Rides is 1 km away and provides arranged horse trail rides, must book in advance. Or bring your own horses to the Shedquarters, there's heaps of room for them to safely and comfortably stay (we are a horse property). Paddocks and a large yard, places to park the float and hay deliveries on request. A homemade grassed arena with jumps available. On the wet days an indoor arena is available to book 5kms away, advanced bookings required. Walk or Ride to - The Shepards Daughters Grave located in the Lal Lal Forest. www.goldfieldsguide.com.au/explore-location/539/grave-of-the-shepherds-daughter/ Lal Lal Falls is 10 kilometers away with BBQ picnic facilities. Hunts Bridge is a free camp area providing fire camp stations for a lovely picnic. The Village of Buninyong is 15kms away. The Farm Gate Shop in Elaine is 7 kms away providing all local produce, and a great place to stock up on the local Meredith Dairy Goats Cheese - in buckets! Local Wineries within driving distance, Clyde Park Winery, Buninyong Winery. Great area for Gold Prospecting. Great place for wood collection, bring the trailer for some hard work (check to see if the forest wood collection is available) Bungal Dam picnic area. Ballan market is held on the second Saturday of the month 9-1pm Ballarat is a 30 minute drive.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
AU$354
 / night

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Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

The best camping near Torquay with horseback riding guide

Where to go

Jan Juc

Set between Torquay and Bells Beach (of Rip Curl Pro surfing championship fame), Jan Juc fronts onto a fabulous surf beach, though surf and conditions are rougher here. From Jan Juc, you can drive to Bells Beach without reconnecting with the Great Ocean Road and also hit nearby Anglesea and Lorne. Don’t miss the area’s spectacular limestone cliffs and rock formations.

Bellarine Peninsula

This is a perfect place to spend the day before you head south from Torquay, along the Great Ocean Road. Beach walks, historic lighthouses, wineries, and gourmet eateries are in many of the villages on the circuit: Barwon Heads, Ocean Grove, Point Lonsdale. and Queenscliff.

When to go

Given Torquay’s large permanent population, the township is well serviced, and you can visit at any time of year. The Bells Beach surf championship takes place around Easter and brings in big crowds, so it’s best to reserve ahead then and in the summer months. Spring and February are great times to visit, as this is when temperatures start to warm.

Know before you go

  • It can get windy around Torquay—bring warm weather gear, even in summer.
  • Torquay is the perfect base to stock up on groceries, especially before trips along the Great Ocean Road. (Prices tend to get higher the further you go along the route.)