Bells Beach

Every surfer knows Bells Beach — even if you’ve never paddled out, you’ve probably seen its big waves on the telly or on a Rip Curl poster in a Torquay café. When I first drove down Bells Beach Road, past the gum trees and the sea spray, I knew why this stretch of coast is the surf capital of Australia.
I’m Paul Beames, and after years of leading groups along the Great Ocean Road, I can tell you — there’s no place that embodies the spirit of surfing like Bells. The cliffs, the sand and the Southern Ocean all tell the same story: this is hallowed ground for surfers and salt lovers.

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Where Legends Are Made

The waves at Bells aren’t your average beach break — they’re long, clean right-handers that peel perfectly when the Southern Ocean’s in a good mood. On the right swell and wind combo, Bells can deliver rides over 300 metres long, with faces that rise six metres or more.

You’ll hear locals talk about Bowl, Rincon, and Winkipop — three iconic breaks that sit side-by-side, forming a playground (and proving ground) for surfers from across the globe. When it’s on, it’s on. Bells can humble even the best — that’s half the fun.

Wave SectionSkill LevelBest ConditionsAverage Wave Height

Rincon

Intermediate

3–5 ft swell, light offshore wind

1–2 m

The Bowl

Advanced

6–10 ft swell, offshore wind from N–NW

2–4 m

Winkipop

Advanced

4–8 ft swell, low tide

2–3.5 m

Even if you’re not surfing, it’s worth watching. Bring a warm jumper and sit on the viewing platform — the spray from those long walls of water drifting up over the Surf Coast cliffs is epic.

 

The Tale Behind This Legendary Surf Spot

The Tale Behind This Legendary Surf Spot

Before the surfers arrived, this coast was already steeped in story. Bells Beach is on the traditional lands of the Wadawurrung People, who have been connected to the sea and land for thousands of years. Local shell middens along the cliffs remind us that this was a meeting place long before surfboards. The name Bells comes from William Bell, a grazier who ran cattle on the cliffs in the 1840s. Surfing started here in the late 1940s when blokes from Torquay and Jan Juc started messing around with balsa boards and long planks. Roads were rough, access was dodgy, and the walk down was half the fun. By the early 1960s, pioneers like Peter Troy and Joe Sweeney were filming and competing here, putting Bells on the world surfing map. It wasn’t glamorous — it was tough, cold and raw. But that’s what made it magic.

The Birth of Australia’s Surfing Culture

Bells became the epicentre of Aussie surf culture. In 1962, the Bells Beach Easter Rally was born — a small local comp that grew into today’s Rip Curl Pro, one of the longest-running surf contests on the planet. The first few events were cobbled together with homemade trophies and shared billy tea, but the waves spoke for themselves. By the 1970s, global surf legends like Mark Richards and Wayne “Rabbit” Bartholomew were carving up Bells’ walls while companies like Rip Curl and Quiksilver were being founded just down the road in Torquay. The history here isn’t just about surfing — it’s about a cultural shift. Bells helped define what it means to be an Australian surfer: self-reliant, community-minded and always ready to paddle out no matter the weather.
The Birth of Australia’s Surfing Culture

The Rip Curl Pro: The Ultimate Proving Ground

At Easter, Bells comes alive. The cliffs are filled with campervans, drones and surf fans from around the world watching the webcam broadcast of the Rip Curl Pro Surfing Competition, part of the World Surf Competitive Tour (formerly ASP World Tour).

This pro surfing competition is the ultimate proving ground. The bell-shaped trophy is more than metal — it’s a piece of surfing history, etched with the names of surfing legends who’ve tackled Bells’ cold, unforgiving walls.

DecadeIconic WinnersMilestones

1960s

Glynn Ritchie, Gail Couper

The first Bells Beach Easter Rally

1970s

Mark Richards, Wayne Lynch

Surfing enters pop culture

1980s

Simon Anderson, Lynne Boyer

“Thruster” board design debuts

2000s

Kelly Slater, Stephanie Gilmore

Global media coverage peaks

2020s

Tyler Wright, Jack Robinson, Luana Silva

Aussie Treble headlines Finals Day

Finals Day and the crowd goes wild as the waves crash into the rocky reef and the spray mists across the cliffs. The Aussie Sweep moments — when both men’s and women’s titles go to local surfers — bring the whole coast alive.

Learn to Ride the Waves in Victoria

Learn to Ride the Waves in Victoria

New to surfing? Don’t stress — you don’t have to drop into The Bowl straight away. Torquay, Jan Juc and Anglesea all have beginner-friendly beaches and plenty of surf schools run by locals who know the swells inside out.

Top surf schools near Bells Beach:

  • Go Ride a Wave (Torquay) — Australia’s longest running surf school; solid instructors and top gear.
  • Torquay Surf Academy — Run by former pros; great for private lessons.
  • Great Ocean Road Surf Tours — Perfect if you want a day-trip combo with sightseeing.
  • SeaEarth Adventures (Anglesea) — Eco-focused, family-friendly lessons.

Most schools provide everything you need: a wetsuit, a board and a pep talk before your first paddle-out. Expect to pay around $70–$100 for a 2-hour session, with discounts for groups or multi-day packages.

Gear Hire and Surf Shops

Torquay’s surf precinct is the heart of the Surf Coast — birthplace of Rip Curl and Quiksilver. Stop in at the Australian National Surfing Museum, just off the Great Ocean Road, to see memorabilia from the 1970 World Surfing Titles, early board designs and wetsuits that helped surfers tame Bells’ icy waters.

Need gear? Here’s where to go:

  • Rip Curl Torquay — Wetsuits to board hire.
  • Core Surf Shop — Locally owned with expert advice.
  • Bombora Surf Co. — Eco gear and local surf art.

Pro tip: if you’re heading out between May and September, wear a 4/3 mm wetsuit with booties — the Southern Ocean isn’t known for mercy.

Gear Hire and Surf Shops

Best Time to Visit the Surf Coast

You can visit any time of year, but each season offers something different:

SeasonSurf ConditionsCrowdsWeather Notes

Autumn (Mar–May)

Consistent swells, ideal for pros

High (Rip Curl Pro season)

Mild days, cool nights

Winter (Jun–Aug)

Big swells, cold water

Medium

Bring a thick wetsuit

Spring (Sep–Nov)

Variable, smaller surf

Low

Great for learners

Summer (Dec–Feb)

Gentle waves

High (holiday crowds)

Warm air, cooler water

If you want glassy mornings, go for early autumn. If you don’t mind icy feet and want to be alone, mid-winter delivers wild, empty sessions that’ll put hair on your chest.

Local Facilities and Handy Tips

No café at Bells — and that’s the point. Bring your own thermos, snacks and rubbish bags.

The car park has:

  • Toilets (basic but clean)
  • Picnic tables and bins
  • Viewing platforms
  • Walking access to Winkipop and Southside Beach

Nearby eats and stays:

  • Torquay Hotel – Classic Aussie pub with hearty meals and cold beer.
  • The Kyn – Cosy bar for post-surf drinks.
  • RACV Torquay Resort – A touch of comfort with ocean views.
  • Bells Beach Backpackers – Great budget option for surfers.

Travel tips:

  • Pack for four seasons in a day — wind, sun and rain often share the same hour.
  • Respect the locals: give priority in the lineup and follow surf etiquette.
  • Never underestimate rips. Even seasoned surfers get caught off guard here.
  • Leave only footprints — this stretch is part of the Surf Coast Shire conservation zone.
Local Facilities and Handy Tips
A Personal Yarn from the Track

A Personal Yarn from the Track

Years ago, I was guiding a small group along the Great Ocean Road just before Easter. We stopped above the cliffs as dawn cracked open over the Southern Ocean. Below us, the Rip Curl Pro scaffolds were going up, and a few locals were already testing the sets at Winki Pop.
One of them — a young bloke on a shortboard — paddled into a head high wave, dropped down the face and carved three perfect turns before disappearing into the foam. The crowd of early risers cheered, coffees in hand. No big sponsors, no trophies — just the pure joy of surfing.
That moment stuck with me. Bells isn’t just a surf event; it’s a community stitched together by the rhythm of the ocean.

Quick Checklist Before You Go

Surf gear:

  • 4/3 mm wetsuit (winter) or 3/2 mm (summer)
  • Leash, wax, rash vest
  • Earplugs (the cold can cause “surfer’s ear”)
  • Water, snacks, sunscreen (even cloudy days burn)
  • Bin bag for rubbish
  • Warm jumper or jacket

Safety:

  • Check surf forecasts (Surfline, Swellnet, or BOM)
  • Don’t paddle alone in heavy conditions
  • Know your limits — Bells has serious power
1 Day Great Ocean Road Tour 1 Day Great Ocean Road Tour Great Ocean Road on this immersive tour. From stunning cliffs to charming seaside towns.
Quick Checklist Before You Go

FAQ

Not really — Bells is best for intermediate and advanced surfers. Beginners should try Torquay or Anglesea, where surf instructors and patrolled beaches are safer.
No, entry is free. The Bells Beach Surfing Recreation Reserve is open to the public and is fully managed by the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority.
13–18°C depending on the season. A full wetsuit (and booties in winter) is a must.
Not at Bells, but you’ll find nearby options at Torquay Foreshore Caravan Park and Anglesea Family Caravan Park.
Every Easter weekend, weather permitting. It’s the longest-running event on the World Surf League and one of the highlights of the World Surf Competitive Tour.
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