Surf Coast info

Celebrating on the Surf Coast is all about relaxing and having a great break from the stresses of VCE! Why not learn to surf at Australia's home of surfing? There are lots of great adventure activities waiting for you.

Completing your secondary education is a huge achievement! Make positive choices to celebrate your milestone, and remember to: 

• Look after your mates
• Consider the community
• Take care of our environment
• Ask for help if you need it

Lorne and Torquay are small coastal towns where most people need to go to work each day. Many have young families and there are also lots of retired people. So please be respectful and considerate to the community while you're there.

Registration

If you’re heading to the Surf Coast after finishing school, it's important to register. Registration includes:

• Official wrist band
• Access to shuttle buses
• Support from youth workers
• Free barbecues
• Free water
• Access to the Chill Out Zone (Lorne)
• Priority entry to the Lorne Hotel(excludes cover charge, must be over 18)
• Great discounts on surf wear and activities from local businesses

You can register online here (new window). Online registration closes at the end of 26 November 2012.

What's on

The Surf Coast Shire has a localised website for activities, events, news and accommodation providers for school leavers. Head to Good Times Great Breaks (new window) and check it out!

What you can't do

We want you to enjoy your time on the Surf Coast. But making bad decisions is an easy way to ruin your break and empty your wallet. Remember the following: 

• Drinking or possession of alcohol in open containers in the street or public spaces is illegal
• Lighting open fires on the foreshore or camping grounds is prohibited
• Camping or sleeping in vehicles in the street or in public places is also an offence
• You can be fined $563 for riotous or offensive behaviour including urinating in public or offensive language
• Smoking and glass are banned on beaches - remember: no butts, no cuts

Police and authorised officers will be on patrol during the period enforcing these laws.

Local tips

Even during the school leavers' period, places like Lorne and Torquay can still be very quiet. Here are some important things to know:

• Visit Good Times Great Breaks (new window) for detailed information on events and services
• Make sure you register - you’ll get lots of benefits including important information, access to activities and free transport
• Youth workers will be in key locations in Lorne and Torquay, so if you’re having any problems or just have a question, these are good people to approach
• Most shops close early, so plan ahead with meals
• Pack warm clothes as it can be very cold and sometimes wet, even in November and December
• All licensed venues are strict on ID
• Bring a torch - not all streets are brightly lit
• Mobile phone coverage can be limited in coastal areas
• Visit Great Ocean Road (new window) has detailed information about Lorne and Torquay, and don't forget to check out the visitor information centres

Keep the Surf Coast glass free

Got glass? Leave it at home! Too many people - school leavers and local residents alike - suffer injuries from broken glass. Plus it damages the Surf Coast’s precious natural environment.

So please, if you are going to drink, buy cans or plastic bottles and help reduce injuries and damage to the Surf Coast!

Your accommodation may also not allow glass containers - the smartest approach is not to bring glass on your holiday at all.

Take responsibility

• Stick with your friends and look out for each other
• Call 000 if things get out of hand
• Take care of your belongings to avoid theft
• Be certain your driver is capable, sober and trustworthy
• Remember if it seems too good to be true - it probably is!
• Have some emergency cash with you at all times

Beach safety

Both Lorne and Torquay beaches are patrolled by surf lifesavers from mid-November.

Unknown beaches can be unpredictable, so:

• 'Play it safe, take your mates' - never swim or surf alone
• Never swim when you have been drinking or taking other drugs
• Don't swim at night
• Swim between the flags
• Check it is OK to swim before you get in
• If you don't know the depth of the water, don't dive in
• Look before you leap

For more water safety tips and info head to www.watersafety.vic.gov.au (new window). 

Plan ahead

• Plan your trip - accommodation, money, transport, food, activities, warm clothes, wet weather gear and people you will be with
• Let someone at home know where you are going and when you'll be back
• Pack some fun stuff - guitar, cards, footy, frisbee

Our Accommodation, Money and Transport sections have more info to help you plan ahead.

Roads and transport

Towns along the Great Ocean Road including Torquay and Lorne are serviced by V/line (new window) buses that depart from Geelong Station.

For timetables and maps of local Torquay bus services go to metlink (new window).

A free shuttle bus service for registered school leavers only will run in Torquay and Lorne in the evenings (buses don’t run between towns!). See Good Times Great Breaks (new window) for details.

It can be difficult to travel between towns - particularly after dark. Plan ahead and make sure you’re not stranded away from where you’re staying.

The Great Ocean Road is one of Victoria’s (and the world’s) most spectacular drives, find out more at www.greatoceanroad.org (new window).

Doctors and health services

If you need help, ask. It doesn't have to be an emergency to call 000 (112 if mobile out of range).

Hospitals

Lorne Community Hospital has an urgent care service.
1 Albert Street, Lorne
(03) 5289 4300

Geelong Hospital has a 24hr emergency department
Ryrie Street, Geelong
(03) 5226 7111

Medical centres

Surf Coast Medical Centre
100 Surfcoast Highway
Torquay
(03) 5260 3911

Medicare Offices

Waurn Ponds
Shop 702 Waurn Ponds Shopping Centre, Cnr Pioneer Road & Princes Highway

Geelong
Shop 60-61, Level 1 Market Square Shopping Centre, Moorabool Street

Store your Medicare number in your phone - this could save you heaps.

Money

There are independent ATMs in Torquay and Lorne, but generally there is a cost to your account for the use of these. Visit our Contacts page to find your bank's nearest ATM. 

Important contacts

Police, Ambulance and Fire
000 (112 if mobile out of range)

Poison Info line
13 11 26

24-hour drug and alcohol line
1800 888 236

Lifeline
www.lifeline.org.au
13 11 14

Centre Against Sexual Assault
www.casa.org.au
1800 806 292

Red Frogs
www.redfrogs.com.au
1300 557 123

V/Line (public transport info)
www.vline.com.au/
13 61 96

Good Times Great Breaks
www.goodtimesgreatbreaks.org.au

Surf Coast Shire Council
www.surfcoast.vic.gov.au/
(03) 5261 0600