Torquay History Walking Trail
Occupying the Torquay region for thousands of years before European settlement, the Wadawurrung people are the traditional owners of the land you are standing on.
Torquay was originally named 'Spring Creek' when developed as a European settlement in the 1840s. By the late 1880s, Spring Creek was well known as a farming and fishing community. By 1900, the area became a popular tourist destination with sea bathing becoming popular for medicinal purposes.
In 1892, the owner of the Palace Hotel, James Follett, organised a referendum to change the name of the settlement from Spring Creek to Torquay. James Follett was from Torquay in England. The name change was successful.
In 1945, the Torquay Surf Life Saving Club was established and was the first Surf Life Saving Club in Victoria. Many surfers began riding surf boards and surf skis at Torquay's back beach. The more adventurous went further to the west to surf the now world famous Bells Beach.
In 1969, the surfing companies of Rip Curl and Quiksilver were established by local surfers and it soon followed that Torquay became known as 'the surfing capital of Australia'.
As you walk along this History Trail, you will come across 28 historic sites, all with signs detailing our settler history, with photographs communicating the stories and significance of those sites. The signs will give you an excellent insight into the way Torquay looked from the late 1880s to the early 1900s. Many of the original properties still stand today.
Torquay History Walking Trail Map
Torquay History Walking Trail Locations
1. "Bromsgrove" original holiday house of Colonel Price
2 Charles Lane
2. Torquay Hotel Circa 1888
36 Bell Street
3. Original Torquay Golf Club
Surf Beach Drive
4. Hot water depot
Surf Beach Drive
5. Kim-Barne Wadawurrung Tabayl
Welcome to Wadawurrung Country
6. Torquay Surf Life Saving Club
Surf Beach Drive
7. S.S. Joseph H. Scammell
Point Danger
8. Torquay Royal Life Saving Club
The Esplanade
9. Bathing Boxes
Front Beach, Torquaу
10. Front Beach and gardens 1938
The Esplanade
11. Two Bays Guest House
20 The Esplanade
12. "Doc" Hughes' General Store
24 The Esplanade
13. St Heliers Guest House
Corner Pride and Price Streets
14. The old Torquay Police Station
18 Price Street
15. Torquay Improvement Association
10-12 Price Street
16. The Old Butcher's Shop
19 Anderson Street, corner Munday Street
17. "Scammell House"
24 Pride Street
18. Quiksilver's first office location
29 Pride Street
19. Seaview Villa
4 Anderson Street
20. Original building for Rip Curl - Mayson's Bakery
5 Boston Road
21. Nairn's Dairy
Corner Pearl Street and Boston Road
22. Aerial photo of Gilbert street
Corner Gilbert Street and The Esplanade
23. Original Torquay Post Office
Pearl Street, at end of Gilbert Street
24. Original Torquay Primary School
39-59 Bristol Road
25. Payne's Garage
18 Bristol Road
26. Taylor Park with gates
Corner of The Esplanade and Zeally Bay Road
27. Fishermans Beach in the early 1900s
28. Fishing boat hand winch at Fishermans Beach
Location
The Esplanade, Torquay 3228 View Map
Web Links
→ Torquay History Walking Trail Brochure (PDF)
