Anglesea sits on the Great Ocean Road in the Surf Coast Shire, about 110 kilometres from Melbourne and 37 kilometres from Geelong. Most visitors arrive by car.
Driving from Melbourne
The usual route is the M1 Princes Freeway towards Geelong, then the Surf Coast Highway through Torquay, joining the Great Ocean Road and continuing through Jan Juc and Bells Beach to Anglesea. Allow a good deal longer than the distance suggests on summer weekends, over Easter and through the Christmas and January holidays, when traffic along the coast road is heavy.
The alternative inland approach leaves the M1 earlier and comes down through Winchelsea and Deans Marsh; it is a useful option when the coast road is congested.
Driving from Geelong
From Geelong, follow the Surf Coast Highway south through Torquay and on to the Great Ocean Road. It is the shortest approach and the one to use if you are arriving by train or plane and picking up a car.
Along the Great Ocean Road
Anglesea is between Torquay to the north-east and Aireys Inlet to the south-west, so it works well as a base or a stop on a longer Great Ocean Road trip. The road is winding in places, is shared with cyclists and tour coaches, and has sections where wildlife is active around dawn and dusk — allow more time than a map estimates and take care after dark.
Check current road conditions and any closures before setting out at VicRoads.
Public transport
The nearest railway station and airport are both at Geelong. Trains run between Melbourne and Geelong, and bus services connect Geelong with the Surf Coast towns along the Great Ocean Road.
Services and timetables change, so plan your trip with Public Transport Victoria rather than relying on a fixed timetable published here. If you are travelling without a car, check the last service of the day before you commit to a day trip.
Parking
There is parking in the town centre and near the beach and the river. Both fill quickly in peak periods — summer, school holidays, long weekends and event days — so arriving earlier in the day makes a considerable difference. Observe posted signs and time limits, and take care not to block driveways or emergency access near the beach.
Current local parking information is published by Surf Coast Shire.
Getting around once you are here
The town centre, beach and river are close together and easily walkable. The map of Anglesea shows how the town fits together, and the weather page is worth a look before you head for the beach or the heath.