Leslie Massey
Australia is a surfer's paradise, with the Pacific Ocean on one side and the warm Indian Ocean on the other. The country has a thriving surf culture and is home to some of the world's most sought-after longboard breaks, rolling waves, and powerful swells. From the iconic Bells Beach in Victoria to the trendy coastal town of Byron Bay in New South Wales, there are countless world-class beaches suitable for surfing. The Gold Coast, with its exhilarating surfing spots, is a gem for surfers, while the Northern Beaches of Sydney offer a 20km stretch of coastline, from Manly Beach to Palm Beach. For beginners, Noosa Main Beach provides gentle waves, and surf schools can be found across the country. With its global reputation for surfing, Australia is a must-visit destination for wave riders of all levels.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of recreational surfers in Australia | 2.5 million |
| Number of annual surf participants in Australia | 420,000 |
| Number of surf schools in Australia | 107 |
| Number of accredited surfing coaches in Australia | 2,292 |
| Percentage of Australians who surf as a recreational activity | Over 10% |
| Australian surf spots | Gold Coast, Noosa Heads, Bondi Beach, Manly Beach, Freshwater Beach, Byron Bay, Bells Beach, Margaret River, Cape Woolamai, Smiths Beach, Surfers Paradise, Burleigh Heads, Palm Beach, Prevelly Bay, Sydney's Northern Beaches, Newcastle, Lennox Head, Turners Beach, Winkipop |
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Sydney's Northern Beaches
Surfers can enjoy a range of breaks along this stretch, from the famous Manly Beach, with its pretty shoreline shaded by Norfolk pines, to the iconic North Narrabeen, a busy 3km-long beach. For those seeking a challenge, Long Reef Bommie is a must-visit spot, known for its powerful waves. The area also boasts Freshwater Beach, where surfing was popularised in Australia by Hawaiian 'Duke' Kahanamoku.
Beyond surfing, the Northern Beaches offer a range of attractions, including delicious waterside eateries, a thriving craft beer scene, and outdoor adventure activities. Visitors can explore the ancient Aboriginal sites, enjoy the crystal-clear waters for snorkelling and diving, or take in the views from the West Head Lookout and the Barrenjoey Lighthouse Walk.
Public transport to the Northern Beaches is primarily via bus, with major interchanges at Pittwater Road, Brookvale, Dee Why, Mona Vale, and Manly Wharf. Ferries also run from Manly to Circular Quay, and an incredibly scenic ferry ride can be taken from here to Palm Beach.
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Gold Coast
The Gold Coast is a surfing paradise, with 66 kilometres of coastline offering plenty of great surfing beaches. It is home to the Superbank, a large, man-made sandbank that creates one of the longest wave rides in the world. The barrelling wave peels from Snapper to Greenmount Beach, making this break a must-do for serious surfers.
The Gold Coast is known for its country-town roots, with a casual vibe and a surf-soaked population. It offers a range of surfing spots suitable for all skill levels, from beginners to professionals. One of the best places for beginners to surf on the Gold Coast is Rainbow Bay, which offers gentle, long, and mellow rides. It is located between Snapper Rocks and Kirra, and the waves curl around the headland, breaking on a sandbank.
For more advanced surfers, there are spots like "behind the rock" at Snapper, which can offer some of the longest right-hand rides in the world, or big Kirra, which is known for its challenging conditions. Currumbin's famous point, The Alley, is another great spot that appeals to all abilities of surfers, from beginners to professionals. Burleigh Heads is another popular surfing destination on the Gold Coast, known for its premier point break, "The Point", which offers barrels on almost every ride.
The Gold Coast also offers a variety of accommodation options, from luxury holiday apartments to beachfront hotels, making it a convenient and popular destination for surfers of all levels.
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Margaret River
The Margaret River region boasts a 70-mile stretch of craggy coastline, providing a variety of surfing options for all skill levels. Prevelly Bay, known for its swells that can reach up to 6 meters (20 feet), is a renowned surfing destination within the region. It is one of the few places in Australia where surfers don helmets due to the powerful waves. The annual Drug Aware Margaret River Pro competition, part of the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour, further highlights the area's reputation in the global surfing community.
The Main Break is a popular spot for surfing enthusiasts, known for its swell-sucking A-frame reef with rights and lefts that allow for playful turns and cutbacks. Nearby is The Box, a fast and shallow wave that presents a challenging and technical ride. For those seeking a more relaxed surfing experience, Cowaramup Bay offers beginner-friendly waves, while Smiths Beach caters to intermediates with a variety of wedges.
The raw and wild nature of the surf in Margaret River is a consistent theme among those who have experienced it. The waves are described as bigger and more powerful compared to the east coast of Australia, providing a unique and exhilarating surfing adventure. The region's natural beauty, with its combination of lush bushlands and breezy winelands, adds to the overall allure of surfing in Margaret River.
When planning a surfing trip to Margaret River, it is important to consider the potential risks associated with the powerful waves and marine life. Despite the challenges, the region remains a sought-after destination for surfers of all levels, offering a diverse range of waves and a vibrant surf culture.
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Byron Bay
The Cape, which juts out into the Pacific Ocean, has enabled a large number of surf spots. On the tip of the Cape, there's Watego's and Little Watego's, a combination reef-sand point break that produces slow rights and a beautiful swimming zone. Little Wategos is sheltered and great for swimming and body surfing, but the waves are calmer so it is not ideal for surfboarding. Tallow Beach spans from Cosy Corner to the beginning of Suffolk Park and offers both right and left-hand waves depending on the swell and wind direction. There can be strong rip currents here, so beginners should head to Main Beach and Clarkes Beach as a safer choice.
Belongil Beach, north of Main Beach, is suitable for all levels of surfing ability. It works best on a south-easterly swell with an offshore southerly or south-westerly wind. It is a quieter beach, which is good for beginners when the waves are small, but there can be strong rip currents when the swells are larger. Parts of Belongil Beach are unofficial 'clothes optional'.
The best time of year for surfing in Byron Bay is during the winter (June-August) when low-pressure systems in the Tasman Sea create solid east and south swells. Spring (September-November) is challenging with erratic winds and limited groundswells, while summer (December-February) cyclone season brings short-period swells. Autumn (March-May) has the potential for solid groundswells and more favourable wind conditions.
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Bells Beach
The beach has also been featured in films such as the 1992 Australian movie Romper Stomper and the 2007 animated film Surf's Up, where the Australian surfer is shown to be from Bells Beach.
In addition to its surfing significance, Bells Beach holds cultural importance as the first home of the Gulidjan Aboriginal peoples. The beach and the surrounding coastal reserve are listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.
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Frequently asked questions
Queensland has a variety of world-class beaches suitable for surfing. Some of the most famous spots are found on the QLD-NSW border, at Burleigh Heads and up the Gold Coast. The Gold Coast is home to the Superbank, a large, man-made sandbank that creates one of the longest wave rides in the world. Other popular spots include Noosa, Rainbow Bay, Snapper Rocks, Narrow Neck, and Surfers Paradise.
Sydney's Northern Beaches, stretching 20km along the coastline from Manly Beach to Palm Beach, are a favourite among surfers. For big waves, head to Long Reef Bommie. The trendy coastal town of Byron Bay is also a popular surfing destination, with spots for all skill levels.
Beginners can take surfing lessons at Noosa Main Beach, or head to the gentle waves at North Bondi, Palm Beach, Surfers Paradise, Smiths Beach, or Redgate Beach.
Advanced surfers can test their skills at Lennox Head, the first surf reserve in Australia and the world. The reeling right-handers of Lennox Point are similar to the famous J'Bay in South Africa, offering long, carveable sections and hollow barrels. Other challenging spots include Margaret River, home to the state's superstar wave, Mainbreak, and Bells Beach, which holds the prestigious Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach competition.
Surfing is possible in most of Australia's states, with the exception of the Northern Territories and the northern part of Queensland, which is protected by the Great Barrier Reef. Other notable surfing spots include Turners Beach, the Sydney north shore, Newcastle, and Perth.
