Schoolies skip Torquay, Lorne, head to Gold Coast, overseas to party

Despite schoolies choosing to skip the Surf Coast and party in Queensland or overseas, police will still bolster their patrols ahead of the celebrations.

More graduates are ditching the Surf Coast and choosing warmer destinations to celebrate the end of their high schooling, but police will still be out in force.

Police said the number of young people heading to Torquay and Lorne for their schoolies celebrations is down by 40 per cent compared to last year.

In 2023, about 600 schoolies were booked into official accommodation in Lorne but this year, numbers are around 250.

This is significantly down from 2017 where about 2500 teenagers partied on our coast.

“The popularity of schoolies is a changing landscape,” Lorne Station Commander Sergeant Jonathan Parish said

“A lot are choosing to travel overseas instead or with a group of friends or family.”

Police acting Senior Sergeant Brenton Whitson, Senior Constable Paul Thomas, Lorne Station Commander Jonathan Parish and Leading Senior Constable Nicolette Law are ready to patrol the Surf Coast ahead of schoolies. Picture: Alison Wynd

The last VCE exams will be held on November 20 with schoolies in Lorne kicking off on November 23.

Despite a significant decrease in schoolies’ popularity on the Surf Coast, officers would continue to patrol party hot spots around Torquay and Lorne.

Sergeant Parish said uniformed and plain clothed officers as well as the mounted and water branches would be involved in their Schoolies operation.

“Expect to see us patrolling major, minor and back roads, targeting speeding and drink drivers as well as driving distractions like mobile phones and fatigue,” he said.

“Alcohol and swimming do not mix.”

Sergeant Parish said schoolies celebrations were often a time of experimentation for young people, particularly with illicit substances.

“The health risks speak for themselves but I want to reiterate the consequences of drugs,” he said.

“Being caught with as little as three grams of cocaine or MDMA can be considered a traffickable quantity.

“This could impact your ability to get a job, study or go overseas in the future.”

On the Gold Coast, escorts and adult content creators have been slammed for targeting “barely legal” school leavers to be a part of their X-rated films.

Sergeant Parish urged adults to leave young people alone so they could celebrate their achievements.

“There is no place in our society for people to take advantage of young adults, especially when they are under the influence,” he said.

Surf Coast Shire’s general manager of community life Damian Waight said schoolies would help to boost the local economy.

“(There is) increased expenditure primarily in Lorne and Torquay in local restaurants, pubs, bars, cafes, retail and takeaway outlets.”

A number of services including Red Frogs, Meli and Great Ocean Road Health will help ensure young people have a safe and memorable time.

Originally published as Schoolies skip Torquay, Lorne, head to Gold Coast, overseas to party