Ecosystems Along the Surf Coast Walk

Few trails capture the essence of the Australian coast like the Surf Coast Walk. From Torquay to Aireys Inlet, this 44km track winds through dunes, woodlands and windswept cliffs — every step a reminder that nature’s dance is never still. I’ve walked this route more times than I can count, and every time I’ve learned more if I stop long enough to listen.
This Country is cared for by the Wadawurrung and Eastern Maar peoples, Traditional Owners who have been connected to these lands and waters for tens of thousands of years. Their understanding of seasonal cycles and custodianship guides conservation practices today. As I see it, the Surf Coast Walk isn’t just a track — it’s a living classroom in balance where sea meets bush and story meets science.

Coastal Dune Systems — Nature’s Wind-Built Walls

If you’ve ever eaten a mouthful of sand while walking near Point Impossible or Jarosite Headlands Beach, you’ve experienced the power of the coastal dunes firsthand. These wind-built walls are the natural barriers that protect the Great Ocean Road corridor from storm surges rolling in from the Southern Ocean. Here, hardy species like spinifex, pigface and coastal wattle lock the sand in place, forming living defences that shift and rebuild after every wild blow. According to Parks Victoria, more than 60% of the Surf Coast dunes are now stabilised through community-led tree planting and weed matting programs managed in partnership with the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority. Look for these native heroes:

Spinifex sericeus — rolling seed heads that colonise bare sand.
Boobialla shrubs — green nets binding the dune slopes.
Swamp wallabies and long-nosed bandicoots darting through the scrub.

Dune rehabilitation projects are key priorities in the Great Ocean Road Regional Trails Strategy 2025–2035, so walkers, bikers and surfers can continue to enjoy these fragile landscapes for decades.

Heathlands — The Floral Firekeepers

Head inland to Anglesea Heath and the colours change. This is the Surf Coast’s heathland heart where fire-adapted species have thrived for thousands of years. Banksias, triggerplants and pink heath (Victoria’s floral emblem) carpet the land each spring, it’s as colourful as any Rainforest Trail. These ecosystems need fire to regenerate — a process understood and practised by Traditional Owners for generations. Cultural burning keeps the heathlands healthy and reduces the risk of large bushfires while promoting native fauna like hooded plovers and echidnas. Recent studies by Parks Victoria and the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action recorded 130+ native species in the Anglesea–Aireys corridor. Conservation rangers here monitor invasive weeds like Sweet Pittosporum and the fungal pathogen cinnamon fungus, both of which threaten fragile soils and biodiversity.

Eucalypt Woodlands — Shade, Scent, And Song

Head inland near Anglesea Heath and the temperature drops a few degrees. You’ll smell the change before you see it — that unmistakable tang of eucalyptus oil wafting through the trees. This is Eucalypt Woodland Country, where the canopy is alive and the soundtrack is magpie carol and kookaburra cackle.

There are over 700 species of eucalypts in Australia, and the Surf Coast woodlands have some of the best:

Manna Gum (Eucalyptus viminalis) — home to koalas and sugar gliders.
Messmate Stringybark (Eucalyptus obliqua) — loved by cockatoos.
Peppermint Gum (Eucalyptus radiata) — a medicinal staple in Wadawurrung lore.

These trees aren’t just scenery — they’re the lungs of the region. According to the Victorian Biodiversity Atlas, the Anglesea woodland belt stores around 47 tonnes of carbon per hectare, helping offset the impacts of coastal development. Shade and birdsong, it turns out, are also forms of climate service.

Rock Platforms And Intertidal Zones — Life Between Tides

Head down to the rocky platforms of Point Addis Marine National Park and you’ll find whole universes between the tides. Crabs, sea stars and anemones cling to the rocks like surfers to their boards.

Between Point Addis, Winki Pop and Rocky Point Lookout, marine scientists from Deakin University have found over 180 species — including fragile rhodolith beds, tide pool ecosystems and nurseries for juvenile fish. These areas are part of Victoria’s marine sanctuary network, along with Point Danger Marine Sanctuary near Fishermans Beach.

The Point Addis Koorie Cultural Walk weaves through this section, interpreting Aboriginal knowledge of sea life and seasonal gathering. It’s one of the most culturally significant and scientifically rich areas along the entire Great Ocean Walk.

Coastal Cliffs And Headlands — Nature’s Edge

Few things stir the soul like the cliffs of Bells Beach or the headlands around Split Point Lighthouse. These crumbling sandstone giants are the Great Ocean Road’s surf culture, sheltering world-class waves like the Rip Curl Pro and nesting sites for peregrine falcons. Coastal shrubs like Correa, Sea Box and Coastal Beard-heath stabilise the soil and provide nectar for native bees and honeyeaters. But these cliffs are as unstable as they are beautiful — erosion and storm surges from the Southern Ocean are constantly reshaping them. Safety tip: Stay behind fences, especially near Aireys Clifftop Track or the Moggs Creek Nature Trail, where overhangs can collapse without warning.

Rivers, Estuaries And Wetlands — The Water Threads

Water connects every ecosystem along the Surf Coast Walk. The Anglesea River, Painkalac Creek, and the Barwon River form vital corridors between the bush and the sea. These wetlands are biodiversity hotspots — home to black swans, egrets, and occasionally, blue whales spotted offshore during migration season.

Ecosystem Type	Key Function	Notable Species	Conservation Concern
Coastal Dunes	Protect inland habitats from erosion	Spinifex, Boobialla	Trampling, erosion
Heathlands	Fire-adapted floral habitat	Banksia, Honeyeater	Lack of fire cycles
Woodlands	Carbon storage, canopy cover	Koala, Manna Gum	Land clearing
Intertidal Zones	Marine nursery	Sea stars, Anemones	Pollution, over-handling
Estuaries/Wetlands	Water filtration & bird habitat	Black swan, Eel	Sediment run-off

According to the Surf Coast Shire Environmental Report (2023), wetlands have decreased by 35% in surface area since European settlement — mainly due to drainage and development. Restoration projects now aim to re-establish natural water flows and replant native sedges, giving these habitats a chance.

Wildlife Along The Walk

Wildlife is abundant along this track. I’ve seen eastern grey kangaroos grazing near the RACV Torquay Golf Club, echidnas shuffling through Anglesea Heath, and koalas snoozing near Aire East Campground. Overhead, swamp harriers and peregrine falcons patrol the cliffs, while blue whales and southern right whales migrate along the coast between May and September.
The estuaries also have long-nosed bandicoots, while the beaches near Fairhaven Surf Life Saving Club are a nesting site for hooded plovers, one of Australia’s most endangered shorebirds.

Environmental Threats Along the Surf Coast

Nature is resilient, but not infinite. Over the years, I’ve seen the Surf Coast change — some changes natural, some not so much. The biggest threats? Coastal erosion, invasive species, pollution, and uncontrolled foot traffic.

Erosion: Storm surges and rising sea levels eat away at dunes and cliffs faster than they can be rebuilt.
Invasive flora: Weeds like sea spurge and agapanthus outcompete native coastal plants.
Pollution: Microplastics enter estuaries and the food chain.
Unregulated tourism: Off-track walking and illegal camping damage fragile areas.

Did you know? A 2021 Surf Coast Council audit found that human foot traffic causes 18% of local dune erosion annually — proof that even well-meaning footprints leave a mark.

How To Walk Responsibly — And Enjoy It

Walking the Surf Coast isn’t just about exercise; it’s about custodianship. If you respect the track, it will reward you tenfold. Here’s how to do it right.

Surf Coast Walker’s Code

Stay on the track — shortcuts cause long-term damage.
Take in what you take out — leave no trace, not even orange peels.
Treat cultural sites – the Wadawurrung and Eastern Maar people have special places along this coast; signs will guide you.
Watch wildlife quietly – binoculars are better than selfies.
Check the weather – coastal conditions can change fast; pack layers and check the wind.

Must Have List:

Hat & sunscreen (even in winter)
Refillable water bottle
Binoculars or a camera
Map or GPS (reception can drop out)
Reusable rubbish bag

Seasonal Changes Along The Walk

Every season is different along the Surf Coast Walk. The track never looks the same twice.

Summer: Busy surf towns, dry heathlands, and cool dips at Fishermans Beach.
Autumn: Still seas and crisp mornings, perfect for Rainforest Trails like Cora Lynn Cascades Walking Track.
Winter: Mists, whales, and mossy trunks near Maits Rest Carpark.
Spring: Wildflowers from Anglesea Heath to Upper Kalimna Falls, a photographer’s paradise.

According to BOM data, summer temperatures average 26°C and winter nights can drop to 7°C inland. Plan accordingly — and don’t underestimate the wind. It can turn a picnic into a kite experiment in seconds.

A Personal Yarn — Finding Balance On The Track

I’ll never forget one late spring morning on the Anglesea section. The heath was buzzing, the dunes were whispering, and I’d just about had it with my squeaky boots. Then I stopped — really stopped — and noticed the tiny world around me: a spider web glittering with salt spray, a pair of wrens chasing each other through the banksias and the smell of wet eucalyptus on the breeze. That was the moment it clicked.
So next time you head out on the trail, take a moment to breathe with it. This land gives everything — we just need to give a little back.
At Great Ocean Road Tours , we often guide walkers through sections of this walk, helping them connect with the coastal environment beyond the postcards. Our guides know every bend and bluff, from the scent of the Ironbark Basin after rain to the call of a peregrine falcon echoing off the cliffs.