suburb.guide

VIC · Surf Coast Council

Torquay, 3228

Est. population · Jun 2025

18,274

Growth (1 yr)

+0.8%

Growth (5 yr)

+13.9%

Median age

39

Median income

$2,295/wk

Employment rate

65.3%

Median house price · 4th Quarter 2025

$1,207,000

Languages at home

4.9%non-English

Most common: Italian, French, German

2021 Census · usual residence

Desirability score

70.1/100
Excellent

Top 8% of Victoria's suburbs

Verified 100% confidence

How this score is calculated
  • High desirability
  • Coastal
  • Education hub
  • Green suburb
  • National parks
What Torquay is known for: High desirability, Coastal, Education hub, Green suburb, National parks

Suburb profile

Torquay wears its coastal identity openly, a established suburb built around sand, sea and an easy outdoor rhythm. Residents are mostly families and working professionals, with a strong presence of young families throughout. Local schools rate highly against similar suburbs.

Everyday shopping is a local strength, with enough shops and services to cover most weekly needs close to home. Outdoor life is easy here, with generous parks and room for kids, dogs and weekend strolls. Most routine trips are on foot, while buses cover longer journeys across the metro area.

Homes cost more here than in most comparable suburbs. Active development is adding new homes and refreshed pockets throughout the suburb.

Desirability rates excellent overall, led by community and employment, plus safety, while growth momentum land closer to the middle of the pack for similar coastal suburbs.

At a glance

Torquay snapshot

A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk

Median house price

$1.21M

+1.0% change

Median rent

$685/wk

Population (ERP)

18,274

+0.8% annual growth

Dwelling vacancy

20.9%

Census unoccupied dwellings

Livability profile

Desirability pillars vs the peer median (50th percentile)

How it compares

Relative standing using percentiles, ranks, and national deciles

Desirability

#8

among Coastal & beach · Established

Safety

31st

percentile in state (higher = safer)

Pop. growth

63rd

percentile in VIC

Advantage (IRSAD)

10/10

national SEIFA decile

School ICSEA

84th

percentile among schools with ICSEA

Population growth

Recent ERP change over 1 and 5 years

Housing mix

Dwelling types from the 2021 Census

Risks & flags

Quick scan — open a section below for full context

Living here

Desirability

Ranks & confidence
Desirability score
70.1/100 — Excellent
State standing
Top 8% of Victoria's suburbs
National rank
221st in Australia
State rank
96th in VIC
Peer rank
#8 among Coastal & beach · Established suburbs
Cohort rank
#17 among Coastal & beach suburbs
Data confidence
100%

Data sources & freshness

  • Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated

Housing

All types (Sep 2025)
$685
Median house price (4th Quarter 2025)
$1,207,000
Median price change
+1%

Median weekly rent from Victorian government rent reports. Council median fallback may apply where suburb rent is unavailable.

Contributes to desirability score · Housing (15%) · Future Growth (7%)

Median price, rental yield and vacancy Recent price momentum

Data sources & freshness

Population

Estimated resident population

18,274(June 2025)

+0.8% annual · +13.9% over 5 years · 63th percentile in VIC

Growth figures & methodology
Annual growth
+0.8%
5-year growth
+13.9%
Change in 1 year
+146
Change in 5 years
+2,224
Growth rank in VIC
63th percentile

ABS Estimated Resident Population allocated to this suburb from SA2-level data. Not an official ABS suburb count.

Methodology

Figures are allocated from ABS Estimated Resident Population at Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2), using 2021 Census share within overlapping SA2 regions. Where Census data is unavailable, area overlap is used instead.

The dashed chart line is a simple growth-trend estimate to June 2030 (~22,150), extrapolated at +3.9% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.

2021 Census figures

2021 Census

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)
5,778 / 536 / 40 (+ 6 other)

Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)

Employment, household income and age diversity (2021 Census)

Data sources & freshness

  • 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated

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

  • Estimated Resident Population — Australian Bureau of Statistics · 2025 · Updated · SA2 ERP allocated to suburb boundaries

Community & culture

No 2021 Census cultural diversity data for this suburb yet.

Data sources & freshness

  • 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated

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

Crime & safety

Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.

Offence counts & rates
Total offences (2026)
626
Against the person
124
Against property
354
Rate per 1,000 residents
34.3
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 149 residents
State safety percentile
30.5th (lower crime is better)
Decrease (daily rate)
-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

Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)

Crime rate and year-on-year trend

Data sources & freshness

Family & Lifestyle

Schools & preschools

Schools within 2 km
5
Median school ICSEA (5 schools)
1,099
Median ICSEA percentile
84th
School list
  • Surf Coast Secondary CollegeSecondary · Government · ICSEA 1060 · 72th percentile · LBOTE 5% · 879 students · Top SEA quarter 24% · 0.5 km awayView on My School →
  • Lisieux Catholic Primary SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1106 · 86th percentile · LBOTE 1% · 333 students · Top SEA quarter 42% · 1.1 km awayView on My School →
  • St Therese SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1119 · 89th percentile · LBOTE 4% · 332 students · Top SEA quarter 45% · 1.7 km awayView on My School →
  • Torquay Coast Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1099 · 84th percentile · LBOTE 5% · 678 students · Top SEA quarter 39% · 1.7 km awayView on My School →
  • Torquay P-6 CollegePrimary · Government · ICSEA 1092 · 82th percentile · LBOTE 9% · 617 students · Top SEA quarter 36% · 1.7 km awayView on My School →

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA

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

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

Childcare centre count

Data sources & freshness

  • Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · current · Updated

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

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Public transport stop coverage

Data sources & freshness

Amenities

294 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

1 cafes · 2 supermarkets · 1 pharmacies · 3 playgrounds · 208 swimming pools · 2 petrol stations

Local character & venue list

Local character

  • Highly walkable for everyday errands
  • Great for outdoor family life — 17 parks mapped in suburb, 3 playgrounds nearby
  • Well connected by public transport — 71 public transport stops
  • Good everyday shopping nearby — 6 shops and services
  • Strong local sport and recreation — 224 sport and outdoor facilities nearby
Walkability proxy
72/100
Cafés per 1,000 residents
0.05
Food & drink per 1,000 residents
0.05
Parks per 1,000 residents
0.92
Food & drink(1)
  • Maple Bakery & CafeCafe

    Unit 40 10 Cylinders Drive

Shopping(7)
  • EG AustraliaConvenience store
  • Lochard Drive Convenience StoreConvenience store
  • Reddy ExpressConvenience store
  • Torquay Farmers MarketMarketplace
  • AldiSupermarket

    14-18 Winki Way

  • WoolworthsSupermarket
Community(4)
  • Lisieux Catholic Primary SchoolSchool

    90 South Beach Road, Torquay

  • Surf Coast Secondary CollegeSchool

    75 White Street

  • Torquay Coast Primary SchoolSchool

    25 Stretton Drive

  • Grant PavilionTownhall
Health & services(4)
  • Torquay MedicalClinic
  • Vision RadiologyMedical clinic
  • Coastal Compounding PharmacyPharmacy
  • Fur Life VetVeterinary

    Unit 3 10 Winki Way

Sport & outdoors(232)
  • Body Sculpting & FitnessGym

    Unit 4 22 Cylinders Drive

  • CrossFitGym

    14B Castles Drive

  • Deep Creek Nature ReservePark
  • Grasstree Park Nature ReservePark

    45 Messmate Road, Torquay

  • Hilltop ReservePark

    177A Fischer Street, Torquay

  • Park (5)
  • Playground (3)
  • Court 1Sports field
  • Court 2Sports field
  • Court 3Sports field
  • Court 4Sports field
  • Goim PitchSports field
  • Grenville OvalSports field

    1 Merrijig Drive, Torquay

  • Narrodya CourtsSports field
  • Parwan PitchSports field
  • Polwarth OvalSports field
  • Sports field
  • Yurrock PitchSports field
  • Swimming pool (208)
Transport(1)

1 bus stops

Other(30)
  • Surfcoast RuralAgrarian

    Unit 5 22 Cylinders Drive

  • The Interiors AssemblyArt

    Unit 2 12 Castles Drive

  • Bbq
  • Bench (2)
  • mycar Tyre & Auto TorquayCar repair

    20 Winki Way

  • Torquay CarwashCar wash

    6 Cylinders Drive

  • Torquay Dance AcademyDancing School

    Unit 1 22 Cylinders Drive

  • Dog Wash
  • Bunnings WarehouseDoityourself
  • Drinking water
  • Choices FlooringFlooring

    Unit 2 10 Winki Way

  • Easterly LivingFurniture

    2 Winki Way

  • GreenBays Golf ClubIndoor Golf

    Unit 2 1 Haystacks Drive

  • Soap Bar LaunderetteLaundry

    222 Fischer Street, Torquay

  • The Dunes VillageMall
  • Grasstree Park Nature ReserveParking
  • Parking (15)
  • PetstockPet

    Unit 4 10 Winki Way

  • EG AustraliaPetrol station
  • ShellPetrol station
  • Australia PostPost Box
  • Public toilets
  • Restroom and showersShower
  • Store & More Self StorageStorage Rental

    4-8 Castles Drive

  • GBoards AustraliaSurf

    8A Winki Way

  • Little Starfish SwimmersSwimming School

    Unit 1 10 Winki Way

  • Reece Plumbing CentreTrade

    6 Winki Way

  • SouthPoint Garden SuppliesTrade

    15 Boneyards Avenue

  • TyrepowerTyres

    4 Winki Way

  • Vacuum Cleaner (2)

Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe). Transport stops are summarised by type rather than listed individually.

Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)

Food, shopping, recreation and sport (OpenStreetMap)

Data sources & freshness

  • Local amenity insights — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
  • OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated

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

Green cover

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

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

Contributes to desirability score · Environment (10%)

Parks and green cover (OpenStreetMap)

Data sources & freshness

Health access

Hospitals & GP clinics in suburb
13
Nearest hospital
Hospital (10.4 km)
Nearest hospital type
Hospital
Nearest hospital emergency
Emergency department
Emergency department in suburb
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

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Hospitals and GP clinics

Data sources & freshness

NDIS participation

NDIS participants (31 March 2026)
360
Participants per 1,000 residents
19.7

Active NDIS participants allocated from NDIA Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2, ASGS 2016) counts to this suburb boundary. Not an official suburb-level NDIS figure · as at 31 March 2026.

For NDIS spend and service-demand exploration by SA2 or postcode, see the Care Sector Demand Map.

Data sources & freshness

Weather

Typical conditions by season for suburbs in the same ~44 km climate area. Rainfall totals are summed from monthly WorldClim layers; rainy-day counts are approximate.

Summer (Dec–Feb)

Usual max / min
26° / 12°
Rainfall
128 mm · ~16 rainy days

Autumn (Mar–May)

Usual max / min
21° / 10°
Rainfall
124 mm · ~16 rainy days

Winter (Jun–Aug)

Usual max / min
14° / 6°
Rainfall
149 mm · ~19 rainy days

Spring (Sep–Nov)

Usual max / min
19° / 8°
Rainfall
182 mm · ~23 rainy days

Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)

Temperature and humidity comfort

Data sources & freshness

  • Seasonal climate normals — WorldClim 2.1 · Updated

Future & Planning

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· 40 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

Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)

Development and planning activity

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 · current · Updated

Hazards

Bushfire planning zone
No overlay at centroid

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

Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)

Bushfire hazard overlays

Data sources & freshness

  • Hazard planning overlays — State government hazard layers · current · Updated

Politics & representation

Federal electorate
Corangamite
Member of Parliament
Libby COKER (Australian Labor Party)
Results from
2025 federal election
Electorate enrolment (2025)
114,123
Turnout (2025)
94.7%
Swing since 2022 (2025)
+0.2 pp toward Labor

Two-party preferred (2025)

Coalition 42.0%Labor 58.0%

Estimated suburb voting profile

Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 9.7 km away).

Coalition 37.9%Labor 62.1%

4.1 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate

Estimated swing since 2022: +0.5 pp toward Labor

Nearest polling places

  • TorquayLabor 59.8% · Coalition 40.2% TPP (2025)0.9 km away
  • Torquay EastLabor 63.2% · Coalition 36.8% TPP (2025)1.4 km away
  • Torquay NorthLabor 66.6% · Coalition 33.4% TPP (2025)1.5 km away
  • BellbraeLabor 70.0% · Coalition 30.1% TPP (2025)6.0 km away
  • Freshwater CreekLabor 61.1% · Coalition 38.9% TPP (2025)7.3 km away

Federal electorate from AEC federal division boundaries (2025 redistribution). Division-level results are official AEC figures from the latest general election, with by-election updates where applicable. The estimated suburb profile blends up to eight nearest ordinary polling booths in the same electorate using inverse-distance weighting from the suburb centroid — an approximation, not official AEC data. Nearest polling places are shown for reference.

Data sources & freshness

Socio-economic

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

ABS Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA), 2021 release — the latest available, derived from the 2021 Census. Deciles rank suburbs nationally from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).

What do IRSAD and IRSD measure?

IRSAD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage. Combines indicators of advantage (e.g. high income, skilled occupations) and disadvantage. Higher decile = more advantaged relative to other Australian areas.

IRSD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage. Focuses on disadvantage only (e.g. low income, unemployment, limited education). Higher decile = less disadvantage nationally.

A new SEIFA edition typically follows each census; the ABS has not announced a release date beyond 2021.

Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)

Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile)

Data sources & freshness

Compare with

Similar suburbs to weigh up side by side — scores, safety, schools, and lifestyle.

More in Surf Coast Council

Other suburbs in the same local government area.

Comparable suburbs

Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of Victoria.

Torquay, VIC 3228 profile | Suburb Guide