Great Ocean Road Women’s Surf Festival Returns to Lorne for Third Year

The Great Ocean Road Women’s Surf Festival returns to Lorne on 7–8 November 2026 for its third year, bringing women and girls of all ages and abilities together for a weekend celebrating surfing.

With an expanded program and more activities on offer, the 2026 festival is set to be bigger than ever, with more than 2,000 people expected to get involved across the weekend.

Surf Coast Shire Mayor, Cr Libby Stapleton, said the festival was a great fit for Lorne and the wider Surf Coast community. “We’re rapt to welcome the Great Ocean Road Women’s Surf Festival back to Lorne for a third year.

“It’s such an inclusive event, with something for everyone – from women and girls keen to catch their first wave through to experienced surfers looking to compete and connect with the local surf community.

“As a Council, we want to encourage healthy, active living and create opportunities for people of all ages to come together, and this festival is a fantastic example of that.”

The festival will kick off on Friday evening with official Welcome Drinks at the Mantra Bar, followed by a Surf Coast Women’s Movie Night featuring three films celebrating local female surfers. 

Across Saturday and Sunday, Lorne will come alive with surf competitions, free workshops, surf lessons, yoga and the return of the popular Swell Market, which will feature a new addition, Salty Seconds, a dedicated second-hand clothing market on the Sunday.

The surf program caters to everyone from first-time surfers through to experienced competitors, with Beginner Surf Lessons delivered by Go Ride a Wave and Intermediate Surf Lessons presented by Surf Her Way. The surf competition will feature individual divisions on Saturday before teams take to the water for the popular Tag Team competition on Sunday.

Off the water, the festival will offer a stacked program of free workshops covering a range of surf-related topics and practical skills. Highlights include a WSL Surfer Panel, a conversation with local photographer Katey Shearer about her new book Cold & Alive, as well as sessions covering essential surf knowledge including reading forecasts, understanding surf etiquette and choosing the right equipment for you. 

Early risers can start their weekend right with beach yoga with Honu Honi, or take part in the Sunrise SUP on Sunday, following the 1.2km Pier to Pub route.
Surfing Victoria CEO Adam Robertson said the festival provided a great opportunity for women and girls to get involved in surfing.  “Supporting and growing women’s surfing is an important focus for Surfing Victoria, and this festival is about making surfing accessible, welcoming and most importantly, fun for women and girls of all ages and abilities,” Mr Robertson said.

Now in its third year, the Great Ocean Road Women’s Surf Festival is set to bring another spectacular weekend of women’s surfing to Lorne. With the beautiful Surf Coast as its backdrop, the festival invites everyone to come along and be part of the celebrations.

For the full program and event information, visit greatoceanroadwomenssurffest.com.au

Event Details
Event: Great Ocean Road Women’s Surf Fest
Dates: 7-8 November 2026
Location: Lorne / Gadubanud, Victoria

The Great Ocean Road Women’s Surf Fest is supported by Surf Coast Shire, Torquay Dental, RED Equipment, South Coast Surfboards, Great Ocean Road Real Estate, Posca, Yeti, Cancer Council Sunscreen, Vitality Brands, Honu Honi Surf Camps, Surf Her Way and Surf Coast Womens Boardriders Club.