Surf Coast Shire
About the profile areas
The 2022 Estimated Resident Population for Surf Coast Shire is 38,652, with a population density of 24.91 persons per square km.
Location and boundaries
Surf Coast Shire is located in south-western Victoria, between 75 and 125 kilometres from the Melbourne CBD, and between 10 and 60 kilometres south-west of the Geelong CBD. Surf Coast Shire is bounded by Golden Plains Shire in the north, the City of Greater Geelong in the east, Bass Strait in the south, and Colac Otway Shire in the west.
Traditional Owners
The original inhabitants of Surf Coast Shire were the Gadubanud, Gulidjan and Wadawurrung Aboriginal people.
Name origin
Surf Coast Shire is named after its location on the surf coast of Victoria.
Important
|
Population38,652 2022 ABS ERP |
Land area1,552 square km |
Population density24.91 persons per square km |
Settlement history
European settlement dates from the late 1830s, although population was minimal until the 1850s, when timber-cutters arrived and a township was established at Winchelsea. Growth took place in the 1880s and 1890s, when fishing industries and various coastal settlements were established. Expansion continued in the early 1920s and 1930s, aided by improved access via the construction of the Great Ocean Road. The most significant development occurred in the post-war period. Rapid growth took place during the 1980s, spurred by tourism and an increase in dwelling occupancy rates. The population continued to increase substantially from the 1990s. Most of the recent growth has been in Torquay and Jan Juc. Population increase is expected to continue, with Torquay dominating growth.
Land use
Surf Coast Shire is a rural, residential and resort area. The Shire encompasses a total land area of 1,552 square kilometres, of which a large proportion is State Forest and National Park, including beaches and coastline. Much of the rural area is used for farming, including viticulture. Tourism and surfing are important industries, particularly in the southern section along the Great Ocean Road. The main townships are Aireys Inlet, Anglesea, Bellbrae, Deans Marsh, Fairhaven, Jan Juc, Lorne, Moriac, Torquay and Winchelsea, with Torquay being the largest town.
Transport
Surf Coast Shire is served by the Princes Highway, the Surf Coast Highway, the Great Ocean Road and the Melbourne-Warrnambool railway line.
Major features
- Major features of Surf Coast Shire include the Great Ocean Road,
- Great Otway National Park,
- Bells Beach and numerous other beaches,
- Point Danger Marine Sanctuary,
- Eagle Rock Marine Sanctuary,
- Anglesea Heath,
- Erskine Falls,
- Australian National Surfing Museum,
- Tiger Moth World,
- Barwon Park Mansion,
- Surf Coast Walk,
- various wineries and several lakes.
Included areas
- Surf Coast Shire includes the localities of Aireys Inlet,
- Anglesea,
- Bambra,
- Barrabool,
- Bellbrae,
- Bells Beach,
- Benwerrin,
- Big Hill,
- Birregurra (part),
- Boonah,
- Breamlea (part),
- Buckley,
- Connewarre (part),
- Deans Marsh,
- Eastern View,
- Fairhaven,
- Freshwater Creek,
- Gherang,
- Gnarwarre,
- Inverleigh (part),
- Jan Juc,
- Lorne,
- Modewarre,
- Moggs Creek,
- Moriac,
- Mount Duneed (part),
- Mount Moriac,
- Ombersley (part),
- Paraparap,
- Pennyroyal (part),
- Torquay,
- Wensleydale,
- Winchelsea (part),
- Winchelsea South and Wurdiboluc.