The New Zealander followed his then-girlfriend to Victoria’s coastline in 2010 after hearing about the “great waves”.

Although the two later parted ways, the relaxed and enjoyable lifestyle of surfing each day after work meant he is yet to return to his home land.

Mr Mochan said his passion for snowboarding in New Zealand translated to a love of surfing when he arrived in Australia.

“Christchurch doesn’t get amazing surf. Well, it does but it’s few and far between, whereas here it’s almost every day,” he said.

“I love just being able to work and then go and surf every day and it’s warmer here throughout the year. When winter hits it’s still cold here but nothing like Christchurch.”

Many surfers consider Johanna Beach, 35 kilometres west of Apollo Bay, to be one of the top surfing beaches in Victoria with big shore breaks on the steeply sloping ocean floor and a variety of reefs and beach breaks around Castle Cove. According to Tourism Victoria, these conditions are repeated at Princetown, Gibson Steps, Port Campbell and Peterborough. 

Mr Mochan works as a builder for Peterborough Building Services and said there were always projects on the go.

“We work on new housing and renovations and currently we’re renovating the old Timboon library into units. We’re never short of work, there’s always something going on.” 

Peterborough was a welcoming community and an ideal spot for those tired of city life, Mr Mochan said.

“Peterborough gets you out of that city sort of vibe and it’s in the country next to the beach.”

n Read more stories about why people love living in the south-west by picking up a copy of The Standard’s Live Work Invest magazine from local council offices.