Essentials
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type I sockets (three-flat-pin plug)
- City
- Torquay, Victoria, Australia
- Population
- Approximately 18,500
- Internet Speed
- Average 55-100 Mbps via NBN (National Broadband Network)
- Currency & Banking
- Australian Dollar (AUD). 1 AUD ≈ 0.65 USD. Major banks: Commonwealth, Westpac, ANZ.
- Tap Water
- Drinkable and high quality
- SIM Card
- Telstra (best coverage), Optus, and Vodafone. Telstra prepaid starts at $35 AUD/mo.
- Banking for Expats
- Wise, Revolut, and local 'Big Four' banks (NAB, ANZ, CBA, Westpac)
- Accommodation
- Mostly holiday rentals and Airbnb; long-term rentals via RealEstate.com.au
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, nearly 100% cashless friendly including 'Tap and Go' for small amounts
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Stayz, and local agents like McCartney Real Estate ($250-$500 AUD/night)
- Budget Accommodation
- Bells Beach Backpackers (Approx. $45 AUD for a dorm bed)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- The Esplanade (Beachfront) and Old Torquay
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Jan Juc (more residential/local feel) or Zeally Sands
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- The Surf Coast Walk (44km trail start); Point Addis Marine National Park
- National Parks Nearby
- Great Otway National Park (45 min drive)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Torquay to Jan Juc clifftop track
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Yellow Bluff; Point Danger Lookout
- Birdwatching Locations
- Breamlea Saltmarshes (15 min drive)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Generally prohibited on beaches; use designated fire pits at Torquay Foreshore Caravan Park
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Australia Post (32 Gilbert St)
- Tech Repair Services
- Leading Edge Computers (Geelong)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Torquay Community House
- Language Classes
- Deakin University Geelong Waterfront Campus
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Torquay Library (Surf City Plaza)
- Community Centers
- Torquay Community House (14 Price St)
- Gaming Lounges
- The Sporting Globe (Geelong)
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- The Sphinx Hotel (Geelong)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $11,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $440,000 AUD)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $8,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $340,000 AUD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $10,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $630,000 AUD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $8,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $480,000 AUD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $9,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $760,000 AUD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $7,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $600,000 AUD)
- Corporate Tax
- 25% to 30% depending on turnover
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 30% (subject to tax treaties; franking credits may apply)
- Tax System
- Worldwide income basis for residents
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 45% plus 2% Medicare Levy
- VAT
- 10% GST (Goods and Services Tax)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, comprehensive and complex rules
- Property Tax
- Yes, Annual Land Tax based on site value (excluding primary residence)
- Property Transaction Tax
- Stamp Duty (approx. 5.5% of purchase price)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific nomad visa; standard residency rules apply
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- The KO (1/14 Baines Cres); rates approx. $45 AUD/day
- Best Cafe for Work
- Ocean Grind (10/21 Baines Cres) - great coffee and laptop-friendly benches
- Networking Events
- Torquay Commerce and Tourism coffee mornings
- Social Events for Expats
- Surf Coast Nomads & Expats Facebook Group; Boardriders Club events
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber (available but limited) and 13CABS
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Torquay Hire (4-6 Gilbert St) - Bikes approx. $40/day
- Best Beach Nearby
- Torquay Front Beach and the world-famous Bells Beach (5km south)
- Top Regional Airline
- QantasLink operating from Avalon Airport (AVV)
- Top International Airline
- Qantas, Singapore Airlines, and Emirates (via Melbourne Tullamarine/MEL)
- Highway Access
- Direct access to the Great Ocean Road (B100) and Surf Coast Highway (M1)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Geelong Railway Station (20km away) connects to Melbourne via V/Line
- Public Transport Passes
- Myki card (required for V/Line trains and local buses; approx. $6 AUD for card)
- Regional Travel
- McHarry’s Bus Lines (Route 50 or 51) to Geelong; V/Line train to Melbourne (90 min)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- University Hospital Geelong (20km distance); Epworth Geelong (Private)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Yoga 101 (18/15 Baines Cres); casual class approx. $25 AUD
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Core Collective Broadbeach; Peninsula Fitness ($20 AUD casual pass)
- Laundry Services
- The Laundry Room Torquay (41 Bristol Rd)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- UberEats and Menulog
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Fresh Grilled Barramundi or a 'Parma' at the Torquay Hotel
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Mavis Mavis (17/15 Baines Cres) and Pond Cafe
- Best Dessert Spots
- Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie (15 min drive); Gelato Messina at the Surf City precinct
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Aldi Torquay and the Torquay Farmers Market (Saturdays)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon.com.au, eBay Australia, JB Hi-Fi
- Grocery Delivery
- Woolworths and Coles Online
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Torquay Hotel (Bell St) and Blackman's Brewery (Baines Cres)
- Local Brewery
- Blackman's Brewery & Beer Garden (26 Bell St)
- Wine Bars
- Cork & Co (Shop 4/40-42 Bell St)
- Street Food Stalls
- Nightjar Festival (bi-annual pop-up in summer at Torquay Common)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Pholklore (Vietnamese fusion) and Roku Den (Sushi/Japanese)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Bells Beach; Australian National Surfing Museum
- Museums & Art Venues
- Australian National Surfing Museum (77 Beach Rd)
- Historical Sites
- The Great Ocean Road Memorial Arch (30 min drive)
- Religious Sites
- St Therese Catholic Church (Surf Coast Hwy)
- Annual Events
- Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach (held around Easter); Nightjar Festival
- Cultural Districts
- Surf City Plaza (Global surf brand HQ district)
- Theater Venues
- Geelong Arts Centre (20 min drive)
- Local Markets
- Torquay Cowrie Market (4th Sunday of the month, Sept-April)
- Music Scene
- Live music at the Torquay Hotel and Bird Rock
- Street Art
- Surf-themed murals around Gilbert Street alleys
- Cooking Classes
- Annie's Kitchen (nearby in Barwon Heads)
- Art Galleries
- Hoop Gallery (Surf Coast Cultural Centre)
- Historic Buildings
- The Scammell House
- Local Heritage
- Wadawurrung Traditional Owners' connection to the Surf Coast country