Our Coast
The coastline and adjoining land between Point Impossible and Mt Defiance along the Great Ocean Road, is considered one of the most spectacular in Australia. Many natural qualities and diverse environments, including cliffs and dunes, significant coastal wetlands, Iron Bark forests, National Estate heathlands and Blue Gums growing down to the sea, combine to create a unique coastline.
Much of the coastline is in public ownership. Managed by a range of authorities including: the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE), Vic Roads and the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee.
The Great Ocean Road Coast Committee (GORCC) has the responsibility of managing the 37 kilometres of coastal Crown land reserves on Victoria's Great Ocean Road from Point Impossible, east of Torquay to the Cumberland River, southwest of Lorne.
- GORCC was appointed by the Victorian Government in August 2004. GORCC is independent of Surf Coast Shire, but works in close partnership with it.
- GORCC manages foreshore areas along the coast, as well as caravan parks in Torquay and Lorne. To find out more about GORCC see link below.
The one area of coastline directly managed by the Surf Cost Shire is the Bells Beach Surfing and Recreation Reserve. The Bells Beach Advisory Committee, convened by the Shire, coordinates management decisions. A number of regional and state bodies oversee the activities of the Advisory Committee.
Additional information