Shire snapshot
Victoria's Surf Coast with its spectacular coastline, scenic rainforests and magnificent beaches, is one of the tourist draw cards of Australia. The Surf Coast Shire is among the fastest growing regional municipalities in Victoria (av. 3.06% annually for past 15 years). The Shire was proclaimed on 9 March 1994. It covers an area of 1,560 km2.
The main population centres include;
Large numbers of holidaymakers and visitors stay in the Shire at peak season. The Great Ocean Road, which starts in Torquay, attracts over 2.5 million travellers annually.
The permanent population on the Surf Coast is 29,397 (2016 Census) which more than trebles at peak holiday times. With only 75 minutes between Torquay and the City of Melbourne via V/Line trains, many Surf Coast residents are also able to commute to work.
The Surf Coast Shire has worked to enhance this environment while encouraging appropriate new development to the area.