Speak to any local about Torquay and they’ll mist up. It may not be as picturesque as Lorne or have the twee charm of Port Fairy, but it’s the longstanding epicentre for Victoria’s surf scene.
Pivotal to this scene is Great Ocean Road Surf Tours, runners up of the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards in 2012, making them Australia's best surf school, and also of the RACV Victorian Tourism Awards for Adventure Tourism that same year. This year they bagged the Micro Business of the year bauble from the Victorian Telstra Business Awards, and they're the first and only surf school in Australia to be Eco Certified in Advanced Ecotourism – their vehicles are 100 percent carbon neutral and they aim to have the whole business 100 percent carbon neutral by 2014.
The team will roam the beaches looking for the sweetest waves for your capabilities, and then whisk you off there with enthusiasm. A two-hour lesson costs $65, including the use of surfboard and wetsuit. You can also book a three-lesson package for $185, take five lessons on Big Wednesday for $299, take a one-day self tour ($109 if self driving from Torquay, or $159 from Melbourne), or go paddle-boarding for an hour and a half for $90. If you're really serious about learning, they offer five days up and down the coast ($690) that includes accommodation, a spot of sightseeing, and transport to and from Melbourne. Their latest invention is their most bodacious: 'The Shredder' is a 10-day tour (8 days surfing, one day sightseeing and a rest day) that costs just $1249.
Trying out the two-hour introductory lesson, Time Out is pleased to report that our coach, Josh, is nothing but encouraging – and almost as ecstatic as us when we manage to spend a full five seconds upright.
Visit the Great Ocean Road over a long weekend and experience Monday's the New Sunday.