The Surf Coast is home to a vast array of high-quality surf breaks, including the iconic Bells Beach. It also marks the start of the Great Ocean Road, which contains some of the most spectacular coastal scenery in Australia. As a result, the region attracts approximately two million visitors a year – equivalent to 68 visitors for each resident. Some of the beaches that form a key attraction in the region are prone to erosion, for example, Lorne and the south-westernmost beaches near Split Point.

Bushfire is the Surf Coast’s largest environmental risk. The localities of highest bushfire risk include Lorne, Benwerrin, Aireys Inlet, Bells Beach and Anglesea. Anglesea and Aireys Inlet have also been identified as priority flood risk areas within the Surf Coast Shire. Flooding associated with the closure of the Painkalac Creek estuary at Aireys Inlet and the Anglesea River at Anglesea requires ongoing management.

The Surf Coast’s socio-economic characteristics place it within the top 10 percent of advantaged local government areas within Australia. Therefore, indicators of economic vulnerability including rental stress, low income households and unemployment are substantially lower than the Australian average. The region has a higher proportion of volunteerism than the national average.

Socio-economic characteristics of the Surf Coast