The Surf Coast Local History
The Surf Coast region is located in Victoria, Australia, and is known for its stunning coastline, beautiful beaches, and thriving tourism industry. However, the area has a rich and diverse history that goes back thousands of years.
The traditional custodians of the land in the Surf Coast region are the Wathaurong people. They have been living in the area for over 25,000 years and have a deep connection to the land and sea. The Wathaurong people were a hunter-gatherer society, and the area provided them with an abundant source of food from the ocean, rivers, and forests.
When European settlers began to arrive in the Surf Coast region in the 1800s, they quickly found that the land was rich in resources. Timber, farming, and fishing industries sprang up, attracting more and more settlers to the area. The town of Torquay was founded in 1871, and the railway line from Geelong to Torquay was completed in 1924, making it easier for people to travel to and from the area.
During World War II, the Surf Coast region played an important role in the war effort. The beaches were used for training exercises by the Australian Army, and many locals worked in the defense industry, producing items such as clothing and ammunition for the war effort. The Torquay Hotel, which was built in 1893, was also used as a hospital during the war.
In the post-war years, the Surf Coast region experienced a surge in tourism. The Great Ocean Road, which stretches from Torquay to Allansford, was completed in 1932 and quickly became a popular destination for tourists. By the 1960s, the Surf Coast region was a major destination for surfers and beachgoers, and the area remains a popular tourist destination to this day.
The Surf Coast region has also played an important role in the environmental movement in Australia. In the 1960s and 1970s, local activists fought to preserve the natural beauty of the area, leading to the establishment of several national parks and conservation areas. The Great Otway National Park, which covers an area of 103,185 hectares, was established in 2004 and is home to a range of flora and fauna, including the endangered Tiger Quoll.
One of the most significant events in the history of the Surf Coast region occurred in 1967, when a group of surfers from Torquay, including Bob McTavish and Wayne Lynch, travelled to Hawaii to surf the big waves at Waimea Bay. They returned to Australia with a new style of surfing, known as shortboarding, which revolutionized the sport and helped to establish Australia as a surfing powerhouse.
Today, the Surf Coast region is a vibrant and thriving part of Victoria, with a rich history and a bright future. From the traditional custodians of the land to the modern-day surfers who ride the waves at Bells Beach, the area has a rich and diverse cultural heritage that is worth exploring for anyone interested in Australian history.