We chat to blogger Emily Jabour about her family’s recent holiday at Wyndham Resort Torquay.
We have just returned from an incredible school-holiday mini-break at Wyndham Resort Torquay, a stunning resort located just off the Great Ocean Road at Torquay beach. It was our first time staying at a Wyndham resort and from the moment we arrived we knew it was going to be a fantastic stay. My friend Emily and I decided to take our little ones for a mid-week break and we could not have enjoyed our holiday more.
Wyndham Resort Torquay is located across the road from the picture-perfect Zeally Bay Beach and the seaside theme is beautifully carried through the resort. The hotel boasts an enormous outdoor pool, kids pool and spa which are adjacent to the café, there is a tennis court, large indoor lap pool, playground, games room and table tennis. So much fun for the whole family!
We stayed in a two-bedroom pool-side apartment. The apartment was super spacious with two bathrooms, full kitchen, 3 TVs (yes, 3!) and even a laundry. Having the kitchen in the apartment was so convenient as it meant we could have dinner in the apartment the first night, and also enjoy breakfast each morning at home.
On our second holiday night in Torquay, the family had dinner and cocktails by the pool, and the food at the café was fabulous! While we spent many happy hours at the hotel relaxing (and in fact the kids asked us numerous times if we could extend our stay at the resort) we also ticked-off lots of fun bucket-list activities during our stay on the Surf Coast! There are so many fun things for families to do on the coast and here I’ll be sharing some of my top recommendations.
Playtime at the beach
You don’t need to be a surfer to enjoy the beaches at Torquay. Wyndham Resort Torquay is located on the Esplanade and some apartments even boast ocean views! Our kids loved spending each morning at the beach, collecting shells and splashing in the water.
A visit to the Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery
Our family’s Torquay holiday started with a visit to the Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery and this is absolutely not to be missed when holidaying at (or day-tripping to) the Surf Coast! Our visit to the chocolaterie started with chocolate lollipop making and the kids got to make and decorate their very own giant choco-pop! Then it was time to visit the new resident silky bantam chickens (fittingly named Mocha, Honeycomb, Cookies & Cream, Licorice and Fudgey) followed by a private chocolate making session with the chocolaterie’s Head Chocolatier, Allan. Our final sweet stop was to the café for afternoon tea, the most delicious we had was the Chocolate Fondue and Honeycomb Sundae – not to mention the incredible dark hot chocolate and milkshakes for the kids! Run, don’t walk!
Pamper time at Saltair Day Spa
This incredible spa retreat is just a 5 minute drive away from Wyndham Resort Torquay and is a little peace of paradise on the Surf Coast. Saltair Spa boasts incredible views all the way down to Torquay beach. My friend and I tag-teamed with our little ones and each took some time out for a massage and facial and it was such a treat! The view, the kindest staff, the most amazing spa treatments and the exquisite Babor skincare at Saltair could not be a more fabulous destination for some R&R and pamper time when visiting the Surf Coast!
Lunch by the seaside at Growlers Torquay
Growlers Torquay is conveniently located on the Esplanade with money-can’t-buy beach views and has a super family-friendly vibe with a fab kids menu and enormous sandpit for the kids to play in! The Salt & Pepper Squid is a must-order when lunching at Growlers!
Playgrounds by the beach
There are some incredible playgrounds in Torquay and our kids’ favourite was the Torquay Foreshore Play Park, overlooking the stunning Fisherman’s Beach and just a short stroll from Wyndham Resort Torquay.
Wine & Cheese at Mount Duneed Estate
We finished our family’s Torquay mini-holiday with the most divine lunch at Mount Duneed Estate, also just a short drive from Wyndham Resort Torquay. This stunning winery has the most incredible café + event space, perfectly decorated with greenery from the farm, wine barrels and other rustic touches. The food is designed for sharing and the Winery Boards are a must-order! Make sure you allow time for wine tasting too, the friendly staff will take you through all the wines and provide some suggestions to accompany your meal. The winery offers a $5 kids meals during the week too! Our little ones loved the sand pit and giant chalk board.
Thank you Wyndham Resort Torquay for such an amazing mini-break on the Surf Coast! We left the resort feeling relaxed and refreshed, which isn’t a guarantee when you are travelling with a 3, 5, 6 and 7 year old!
We had a truly amazing family holiday and can’t wait to return to Wyndham Resort Torquay again soon!
Emily Jabour is an event stylist, blogger and mum-of-two based in Melbourne. Her blog @thepartybebe launched in 2014 and she shares lifestyle, family travel & party features…. all the sweet & happy things in life!
