suburb.guide

VIC · Surf Coast Council

Torquay (Vic.), VIC, 3228

Current weather

13.6°CModerate drizzle

79% humidity · 27.3 km/h wind · 16.6° / 10.2° today · 3.8 mm rain

Desirability index

97.7/100

#4 among Coastal & beach suburbs

How this score is calculated

Suburb snapshot

Torquay (Vic.) is a mid-sized suburb in the Surf Coast area, home to around 18,534 residents (2021 Census). Recent indicators show 626 offences in 2026 with falling year-on-year trends (-7%), roughly 33.8 offences per 1,000 residents, 5 school and preschool sites in the area, strong public transport coverage with many Public Transport Victoria stops, a solid spread of nearby amenities and everyday services, 1 active roadworks or transport incidents on nearby routes, and notable planning and development activity on record. Snapshot data also shows parks or public open space within the suburb and hospitals or GP clinics within the suburb.

Population

Population
18,534
Median age
39
Median household income / week
$2,295
Dwelling vacancy
20.9%
Unoccupied private dwellings
1,687 of 8,066
Median monthly mortgage
$2,167
Employment rate
65.3%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
373 / 536 / 40

Data sources & freshness

  • 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 Census release

    The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.

Crime & safety

Total offences (2026)
626
Against the person
124
Against property
354
Rate per 1,000 residents
33.8
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 149 residents
State safety percentile
29th (lower crime is better)
Year-on-year change
-7.1%

Most common offence types

  • B21 Criminal Damage67
  • B42 Steal From A Motor Vehicle44
  • B43 Steal From A Retail Store57
  • B49 Other Theft59
  • E21 Breach Family Violence Order57

Data sources & freshness

Schools & preschools

Schools & preschools
5
Median school ICSEA (5 schools)
1,099
  • Lisieux Catholic Primary SchoolPrimary
  • St Therese SchoolPrimary
  • Surf Coast Secondary CollegeSecondary
  • Torquay Coast Primary SchoolPrimary
  • Torquay P-6 CollegePrimary

Data sources & freshness

Public transport

71 public transport stops in this suburb

  • Fieldwren Cres/S Beach Rd
  • Pacific Dr/Horseshoe Bend Rd
  • Rosser Bvd/Surf Coast Hwy
  • Scorpio St/S Beach Rd
  • Scorpio St/S Beach Rd

Data sources & freshness

Roadworks & transport

1 active roadworks / incidents

  • Maintenance Works activities occurring between 10/01/2025 and 31/12/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 12:00 AM to 12:00 AM, Weekends 12:00 AM to 12:00 AM. Note that changed conditions may also be in place during 12:00 AM to 12:00 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed multiple directions. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be Greater than 10 min.SURF COAST HIGHWAY, BLACKGATE ROAD09 Jan 2025 – 30 Dec 2026

Data sources & freshness

  • Road incidents & closures — State road authority open-data feeds · Period: current · Updated on site · Hourly refresh where supported

Planning & development

Development applications from PPARS statewide register (lodged 2020–2022). Free public PPARS MapServer — applications through ~2022 (service last updated Feb 2024).

205 planning-related records

2021· 75 proposals

  • August 2021

  • Building and Works Associated with the Development of Five (5) Warehouses and Reduction to Car Parking Requirements
    4 HAYSTACKS DRIVE TORQUAY 3228Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of a dwelling pursuant to the Bushfire Management Overlay
    1 BRUMBY DRIVE TORQUAY 3228Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works associated with relocating existing cool room and alteration to existing shop front windows.
    ST VINCENT DE PAUL, 10 PEARL STREET TORQUAY 3228Withdrawn
  • Use of the land for a restricted recreation facility (children's gymnastics), external alterations, display of business signage and reduction of on site car parking provision
    1/14 CASTLES DRIVE TORQUAY 3228Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use & development of a retirement village, removal of native vegetation, and removing a reservation from land under Section 24A of the Subdivision Act
    5 COOMBES ROAD TORQUAY 3228In progress
  • Two lot subdivision
    36 GEELONG ROAD TORQUAY 3228Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Two Lot Subdivision, Construction of Two Dwellings and Associated Removal of Vegetation
    11 PRIDE STREET TORQUAY 3228Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use of the land for manufacturing sales and display of a business identification sign
    7/1 HAYSTACKS DRIVE TORQUAY 3228Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Minor alterations to existing structure, signage and new fence
    28 BAINES CRESCENT TORQUAY 3228Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works for the construction of two dwellings and vegetation removal
    22 FELIX CRESCENT TORQUAY 3228NOD issued by a delegate
  • Use and Development of land for a Dwelling
    224 COOMBES ROAD TORQUAY 3228Lapsed

  • July 2021

  • Use of the land for an industry (furniture manufacture), construction of a mezzanine and a reduction in provision of car parking
    6 BONEYARDS AVENUE TORQUAY 3228Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Alterations to existing dwelling
    22A BOSTON ROAD TORQUAY 3228Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construct a building (Dwelling) over 7.5 metres height
    127 SPRING VALLEY DRIVE TORQUAY 3228Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of a new dwelling and garage
    62 PACIFIC DRIVE TORQUAY 3228Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construct a Dwelling and Outbuilding
    24 Brumby DrivePermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • June 2021

  • Change of Use to Indoor Recreation Facility and Display of Business Identification Signage
    6 BONEYARDS AVENUE TORQUAY 3228Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of a Dwelling on a Lot Less Than 300sqm
    23 GLENGARRY DRIVE TORQUAY 3228Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of 13 warehouses and a reduction of the standard car parking requirements of Clause 52.06
    15A HAYSTACKS DRIVE TORQUAY 3228Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Variation to a restrictive covenant (building envelope)
    31A BOSTON ROAD TORQUAY 3228Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Restricted Recreation Facility (Physical Therapy) and Display Business Identification Signage
    4/1 HAYSTACKS DRIVE TORQUAY 3228Withdrawn
  • Use and development of the land with a second dwelling.
    34 SAGITTARIUS STREET TORQUAY 3228Refusal issued by a delegate
  • Amend Permit
    72 Eton RoadWithdrawn
  • Construction of a Garage in BMO
    28 Ocean Acres DrivePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Extensions and Additions to Existing Dwelling (First Floor Decking)
    38 BOSTON ROAD TORQUAY 3228Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of an Extension and Works to an Existing Dwelling With a Height More Than 7.5 Metres Above Ground Level
    64 LOCH ARD DRIVE TORQUAY 3228NOD issued by a delegate
  • Buildings and Works Associated with the Construction of a Lift to an Existing Dwelling
    141 THE ESPLANADE TORQUAY 3228Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of Two Dwellings
    38 POMORA AVENUE TORQUAY 3228Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use and Development of the Land for a Convenience Shop (Food & Drink) and Display of Business Identification Signage
    112 GEELONG ROAD TORQUAY 3228Withdrawn
  • Construction of a Lift
    235 The EsplanadeWithdrawn
  • Use of a Medical Centre and Display of Business Identification Signage
    10 WINKI WAY TORQUAY 3228Refusal issued by a delegate

  • May 2021

  • Construct a Front Fence and Associated Retaining Wall
    1/108 Beach RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of a two storey dwelling on each of Lots 809 to 817 inclusive on PS806607S
    1-17 LILLIUM LANE TORQUAY 3228Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Two Lot Subdivision
    11 Pimelea WayPermit issued by the RA
  • Use of the Land for a Place of Worship
    5 Boneyards AvenueWithdrawn
  • Alterations and Additions to Existing Dwelling
    7 Colina CourtWithdrawn
  • Removal or destruction of native vegetation (facilitating powerline upgrade works)
    COOMBES ROAD ROAD RESERVE BETWEEN ANGLESEA ROAD AND SURF COAST HIGHWAY TORQUAY 3228Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Three lot subdivision
    7 Haystacks DrivePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use and Development of Land for Medical Centre and Office and Reduction in Car Parking Requirements
    1-3 CYLINDERS DRIVEPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Removal of Native Vegetation Associated with the Construction of a Minor Utility Installation
    SURF COAST HIGHWAY TORQUAY 3228Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
2020· 130 proposals

130 proposals lodged in 2020. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.

Data sources & freshness

  • PPARS planning permit activity (statewide) — Department of Transport and Planning (Victoria) · Period: 2020; 2020–2022; 2021 · Updated on site · Public MapServer last updated Feb 2024 — applications through FY 2022–23 only; newer PPARS data requires council/API access

Amenities

23 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

  • Bbq
  • Bench (2)
  • Merrijig Drive/Surf Coast HighwayBus stop
  • Torquay MedicalClinic
  • Lochard Drive Convenience StoreConvenience store
  • Dog Wash
  • Bunnings WarehouseDoityourself
  • Drinking water
  • Soap Bar LaunderetteLaundry

    222 Fischer Street, Torquay

  • Torquay Farmers MarketMarketplace

Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe).

Data sources & freshness

  • OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh

Parks & reserves

10 parks and public open space in this suburb

  • Deep Creek Nature ReservePark
  • Frog Hollow ReservePark
  • Grasstree Park Nature ReservePark
  • Great Ocean Views ReservePark
  • Hilltop ReservePark
  • Murnong ReservePark
  • Ocean Acres Nature ReserveNature reserve
  • Ocean Acres ReservePark
  • St. Annes ReservePark
  • Taylor ParkPark

Data sources & freshness

Health access

Hospitals & GP clinics
13
Emergency department
Not in suburb
  • Banksia Medical CentreGeelong Roadclinic
  • Coastal Compounding Pharmacypharmacy
  • Grand Slam PhysiotherapyGeelong Roadphysiotherapist
  • Orbit Medicalclinic
  • Pacific Smiles Dentaldentist
  • Pharmacypharmacy
  • Sequence OsteopathyGeelong Roadalternative
  • Surfcoast Pharmacypharmacy
  • Surfside DentalGeelong Roaddentist
  • Torquay Community Health Centreclinic

Data sources & freshness

Socio-economic (SEIFA)

IRSAD decile (2021)
10/10
IRSD decile (2021)
10/10

SEIFA indexes from ABS 2021. Decile 10 = most advantaged / least disadvantaged in Australia.

Data sources & freshness

Childcare

7 childcare services from OpenStreetMap

  • ABC Developmental Learning Centrekindergarten
  • Little GromsGeelong Roadkindergarten
  • Only About Childcarechildcare
  • The Hive Early Learning Centre TorquayBeach Roadkindergarten
  • Torquay Early Learning CentrePimelea Waykindergarten
  • Torquay Kindergartenkindergarten
  • Torquay Montessori Centrekindergarten

Data sources & freshness

  • Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · Period: current · Updated on site

Hazards

Bushfire planning zone
No overlay at centroid

Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via Victorian Bushfire Management Overlay mapping.

Data sources & freshness

  • Hazard planning overlays — State government hazard layers · Period: current · Updated on site

Green cover

Parks & woodland (OSM)
29
Parks (OSM)
17

OpenStreetMap parks and natural woodland features mapped within the suburb boundary.

Data sources & freshness

  • OpenStreetMap green cover features — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh

Desirability index

Desirability score
97.7/100
Cohort rank
#4 among Coastal & beach suburbs

Data sources & freshness

  • Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics

Recent changes

  • ABC Developmental Learning Centrechildcarekindergarten
  • Little GromschildcareGeelong Roadkindergarten
  • Only About Childcarechildcarechildcare
  • The Hive Early Learning Centre TorquaychildcareBeach Roadkindergarten
  • Torquay Early Learning CentrechildcarePimelea Waykindergarten
  • Torquay Kindergartenchildcarekindergarten
  • Torquay Montessori Centrechildcarekindergarten
  • Banksia Medical CentrehealthGeelong Roadclinic
  • Coastal Compounding Pharmacyhealthpharmacy
  • Grand Slam PhysiotherapyhealthGeelong Roadphysiotherapist

Data sources & freshness

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