1. The Sweeney Tax
In 1957 a handful of members from the Torquay Surf Lifesaving Club followed the dirt track out of town, trekked through the bush and first rode waves at Bells Beach.
In 1960, surfing legend Joe Sweeney hired a bulldozer and upgraded the old dirt track and extended it down to Bells Beach. The entire project cost 32 pounds and Sweeney charged his mates a pound each for use of the track.
2. The World's Longest-Running Surf Contest
The first surf contest at Bells Beach was held in 1962, and it became known as the Rip Curl Pro after legendary local surf brand Rip Curl introduced prize money in 1973. This annual event is the world’s longest-running surf competition.
3. The Legendary Car Park
In the 1970s, Bells Beach's car park was notorious for becoming a muddy mess after rain, often leaving cars bogged down. In the 1980s, the car park was sealed, improving drainage and reducing erosion. Today, it offers stunning views and hosts the temporary infrastructure for the Rip Curl Pro.
4. The Iconic Wave Sign
In 1972, a sign was erected at Bells Beach to mark it as the Bells Beach Surfing Recreation Reserve. Designed by students from The Gordon Institute, the sign has been greeting surfers ever since and is now listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.
5. Hollywood at Bells Beach
While set at Bells, the iconic final scene of Point Break was actually filmed at Indian Beach in Oregon, but the legendary “Bowl” has been featured in other notable films.
It appeared in The Endless Summer (1966), Surf's Up (2007), and Netflix’s Surviving Summer (2022), to name a few, solidifying its place in surf culture and cinema.
There was also a documentary about the 1970 World Championship held at Bells Beach/Djarrak called "Getting Back to Nothing".
6. Bells is Iconic for More Than Just Surfing
The famous “Bowl” at Bells Beach is one of the most iconic surf breaks in the world, but it’s also known for its shape.
The unique rock formation and wave pattern create a natural amphitheatre that amplifies the power of the surf, making it a favourite spot for both surfers and photographers alike.
7. Bells Beach Receives the Royal Treatment
In 1983, Prince Charles and Princess Diana visited Bells Beach as part of their tour of Australia.
Their visit was part of a larger effort to highlight Australia's surf culture, and they were shown around by some of the top local surfers of the time. Prince Charles reportedly tried his hand at surfing in the area.
8. 1981: The Year Surfing Changed Forever
The 1981 Bells Beach event stands out for several reasons.
It marked the first time the competition saw 15-foot swells, the biggest in the event's 55-year history. But it was also a pivotal moment in the evolution of surfing.
Simon Anderson took to the waves on his innovative three-fin board, which he called the “thruster”. Anderson dominated the contest, and his groundbreaking design quickly became the standard for modern surfboards.
9. The Science of the Wave
Bells Beach is also famous for unique waves.
These waves are created by the shape of the ocean floor, which helps the big swells from the Southern Ocean turn into long rides. When the conditions are perfect, a wave can start way out at Rincon and keep going all the way through to The Bowl, giving surfers a chance for a long ride.
But even though the wave looks amazing, it’s tricky to surf. It’s not like other spots where the wave barrels (or curls over) to create tunnels. Instead, the waves at Bells are more like walls, so surfers need to be very good at turning their boards and linking their moves together.