Bells beach
Some of the best features of Australia are our pristine beaches. Aussie's are known as beachy people. It's just in our nature, so it's no surprise that some of the best surfing beaches in the world can be found right along our gorgeous coastline!
Location
Bells Beach is located on the coastline of victoria, 100 km south-west of Melbourne - on the Great Ocean Road - 10km south west of Torquay, a little over 2 hours east of the 12 apostles and half an hour SW of Geelong.
But more closely; Latitude 38º 22' 06" S Longitude 144º 17' 00" E
But more closely; Latitude 38º 22' 06" S Longitude 144º 17' 00" E
Bells Beach in relation to other significant landforms
Bells is only a short drive, flight, coach or train ride from Melbourne Aiport. See the Home page, Accommodation and Transport for more details.
What does it look like?
Bells Beach is a pumping reef and point break, with nice little right handers and the occasional ripper left hander as well. The surfing break is so good there, that it is one of the destinations for the Ripcurl Pro every year.
A reef break is where, instead of sand being on the floor of the sea underneath the waves, coral reef or rock forms the solid floor underneath the water. With a reef break comes much bigger waves and bigger waves means lots more fun!
Bells consists of several different surf spots, over different sections of reef; Centerside, Outside Bells, Rincon and the more popular Bell’s Bowl, just to name a few. Surf on the reef ranges from 2 to 12 feet, and of course, depends too, on the conditions. This means that on days when the surf is smaller, bells can be better to surf for intermediate surfers and when it's at its peak, its absolutely ripper for advanced surfers who are looking for a perfect wave! |
so when's the best time of year to come?
The right handers are usually at their best during Autumn and Winter, with cleaner conditions being produced at these times. However at this time of year, the water can be a little cold, so if you're planning a trip to Bells from March up until August, it's important you bring your steamer wetsuit with you.
Geographical processes that formed bells beach
Beaches are forever changing. Sand gets moved around a lot, whether its because of rough waves during a storm, strong winds or just lots of rain and this can affect the coastline dramatically.
Often, due to erosion, lots of sand gets carried out to sea and deposited, creating sandbanks. However due to the reef at Bells Beach, this rarely occurs, and when it does, it doesn’t affect the waves. This sand too, can be dumped back onto the beach, but this process is a lot slower to happen, and often it can take years for a beach to recover after a significant loss of sand because of a storm.
So, beaches are almost always changing and transforming. This just happens very slowly and over a long period of time. And so we usually don't notice it too much unless there is a significant storm that erodes all the sand out to sea.
Surrounding Bells Beach are large cliffs, which not only provide you with gorgeous scenery while you surf, but also provide the area with the beach that is now there. Over time, waves have deposited sand and shells on the land and the water has eroded away at the cliffs, creating more sand and a small cove which forms the perfect little beach, Bells Beach.
The reef on the sea floor also, usually, makes the swell bigger and the waves form better.
Often, due to erosion, lots of sand gets carried out to sea and deposited, creating sandbanks. However due to the reef at Bells Beach, this rarely occurs, and when it does, it doesn’t affect the waves. This sand too, can be dumped back onto the beach, but this process is a lot slower to happen, and often it can take years for a beach to recover after a significant loss of sand because of a storm.
So, beaches are almost always changing and transforming. This just happens very slowly and over a long period of time. And so we usually don't notice it too much unless there is a significant storm that erodes all the sand out to sea.
Surrounding Bells Beach are large cliffs, which not only provide you with gorgeous scenery while you surf, but also provide the area with the beach that is now there. Over time, waves have deposited sand and shells on the land and the water has eroded away at the cliffs, creating more sand and a small cove which forms the perfect little beach, Bells Beach.
The reef on the sea floor also, usually, makes the swell bigger and the waves form better.
SO come to bells!
Bells Beach is really beautiful. And if it's a rainy day, or you just want a break from the surf, there are a number of lookouts and walks you can do that really do show you how unique this environment is. If you really want a good taste of some fantastic Aussie surf, come and visit Bells Beach!