Where are the 7 Best Surf Spots in Australia?

No matter your level of surfing expertise, Australia is the destination to enjoy all of the most excellent fun, sun and water imaginable. Australia is a premier global surfing location; primarily due to the more than 37,000 kilometers of gorgeous coastline. The coastline is filled with challenging reef as well as point breaks in abundance for the experienced surfers; and more than enough soft swells where beginners can feel safe while having fun. Join people from around the world who enjoy the finest beautiful, sun drenched coastlines in Australia.

Crescent Head, New South Wales

The coastline of Crescent Head in New South Wales starts north of Port Macquarie for 25 kilometers. Along the coastal road are a wide range of spots for surfers of all levels. New board riders as well as long board riders can enjoy one of four right hand point breaks that generate 200 meter rides. Crescent Head’s point break is adored by boarders worldwide. It is the location of the filming of “Hanging Ten”. Another brilliant spot in the area is Delicate Nobby, which is a rock formation located halfway between Crescent Heat and Point Plomer. The wedge shape of the formation, which starts near the beach and juts into the ocean, creates fantastic beach breaks on either side for endless surfing pleasure.

Photo url: http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5149/5657055691_608f5a3953.jpg
Photo by: andy_tyler

Snapper Rocks, Queensland

This point break, located in the state of Queensland, is a globally popular Gold Coast surfing location. It is situated at Rainbow Bay, also known as “Super Bank”; the consistently longest hollow on the planet. The swell at Snapper Rocks commonly reaches from 6 to 8 feet. Surfers constantly enjoy the thrill of riding a clean wave to a near two kilometer distance; from Snapper Rocks to Kirra. This popular location is the host for some of the world’s most elite surfing events including Rip Curl Masters, MP Classic and Quicksilver. Local world surfing champions including Stephanie Gilmore, Joel Parkinson and Mick Fanning stop by their hometown surfing spot whenever they are in the area.

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Photo by: thinboyfatter

Lennox Head , New South Wales

One of Australia’s largest and longest surf breaks in warm water is found in Lennox Head, located in the northern region of New South Wales. Surfers find that the point is best with a southwest wind and south-southeast swell. Board riders cannot say enough about the long right hand peeling break that has been known to exceed four meters. Lennox is now a national surfing reserve. The management of the reserve is done by a Board of Management which represents the surfing community in the area. This Board gives a voice to the community as relates to custodial responsibility of the reserve, maintenance of historical records and sustaining the cultural significance of the area surrounding the reserve.

Photo url: http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2184/2073310542_7a3ddd0602.jpg
Photo by: jsrobinson132

Secret Harbour, Western Australia

Secret Harbour rests on the West Australian coast between the cities of Mandurah and Rockingham. The secluded village feel of the area attracts people from around the world. The area provides fun challenges for experienced surfers and excellent opportunities for beginning surfers to master the sport. It is the home to the Big Wage Surfing School, a Surfing Australia accredited school, which has provided lessons for board riders of all ages and experience at Secret Harbor and other Perth areas for many years. In addition to superb surfing, Secret Harbour offers unbelievable bush land, lakes and other natural beauty for visitors to enjoy.

North Narrabeen, New South Wales

North Narrabeen in Sydney offers a unique surfing experience because of its distinctive configuration. Narrabeen Lake creates a run-off which forms a sandbank. Classic sets are formed by the sandbank, which break with the help of the deeper water offshore. The deep channel that is created by the lake flowing into the sea is instrumental in the creation of this surfer’s paradise. The quality of the powerful breaks at North Narrabeen has led to its reputation among the greatest surfing destinations in the world. While there are other popular beaches along Sydney’s north coast, North Narrabeen stands out as a board rider favorite because of these more powerful breaks.

Photo url: http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6187/6107189861_5449a7008b.jpg
Photo by: StephEvaPhoto

Boomerang Beach, New South Wales

Boomerang Beach in Pacific Palms is a top pick for surfing and swimming. It is situated along the lovely pristine Forster-Tuncurry coast. Knowledgeable, experienced surfers swear that the swells at Boomerang Beach make it one the absolute best surfing spots in the NSW area. The barrels formed for beach breaks, with consistent quality waves, draw surfers from everywhere to enjoy the challenge and exhilaration of the sport. As an added treat, swimmers and surfers have the opportunity to visit with local dolphins in the ocean at the northern headland of Boomerang Beach.

Photo url: http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5048/5362901409_3f9f2e9aef.jpg
Photo by: joe.lipson

Torquay, Victoria

The town of Torquay is the home of Bells Beach, an internationally renowned surfing destination. Bells Beach is located approximately 100 kilometers southwest of Melbourne in Victoria, Australia. The surf rises to more than 5 meters with the help of steep Southern Ocean swells over shallow reefs; taking surfing to the next level of amazement. Bells Beach is the historic home of the Rip Curl Pro, the most prestigious and oldest professional skilled surfing event. To this day, proud winners of the event are presented with the clanging bell trophy, which is the traditional award for the well known surfing event.

Photo url: http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2771/4485862679_6f6dd97f2c.jpg
Photo by: surfglassy

Kristy is a road tripping adventure seeker and freelance travel writer for Drive My Car Rentals Australia. When she is not on the road she is helping people find incredible deals on car rentals in Bondi and beyond.

Where is the Gold Coast?

The Gold Coast, with a 35km strip of golden beaches, is situated on the east coast of Australia in the southern region of Queensland and almost bordering New South Wales. It’s not my choice travel destination but during May we had a short family holiday there to spoil the children with a visit to the theme parks. Why I say it’s not my choice destination is largely for the commercialism. It would have to be the most commercialised areas in Australia, with towering hotels and apartment blocks lining the coast for miles. I would hope readers of my blog would recognise that I prefer remote landscapes and towns steeped in history and culture.

It was Mother’s Day and we left a chilly Melbourne on a 6.30am flight, to arrive at Coolangatta to a beautiful, mild morning and off came the jumpers! The hire car was organised and off we went. We enjoyed a Mother’s Day brunch at nearby Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary before we spent the rest of the day exploring the sanctuary.

The week on the Gold Coast was then filled with three days at each of the following theme parks: Seaworld, Movie World and Wet ‘n’ Wild. The children had a fabulous time. I think their favourite was Wet ‘n’ Wild. I was the ‘bag lady’ and happy to sun myself in the glorious 28C Autumn sun!

My choice day was a trip out to Mt Warning, the highest easterly peak where day break is first enjoyed. The rainforest of the lower slopes are beautiful and full of plant-life we don’t see in the southern states. We continued to travel south through the rolling hills of the hinterland and crossed the border into New South Wales to visit Nimbin, the hippy capital of Australia. The children’s eyes were wide here! We headed back to the coast with a brief stop at the Byron Bay lighthouse (the most easterly point of mainland Australia) and returned to Currumbin by night fall.

The week was made complete by meeting face-to-face one of my favourite, fellow Aussie bloggers, Linda, and the creator of ‘Journey Jottings‘. We met at the Marina Mirage and exchanged many travel tales over coffee as the sun set.

Lonely Planet Queensland

Map

TravelTipsPlus Google Map of Gold Coast

One Great Reason to Visit the Gold Goast

One great reason to visit this travel destination is for the expanse of golden beaches as far as they eye can see. Oh, and it’s Queensland “Beautiful One Day, Perfect The Next”!

Gold Coast Tourism Travel Video

For More Information

Wikipedia

Official Queensland Tourism

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Where is the Great Ocean Road?

The Great Ocean Road is one of Australia’s most popular travel destinations luring both national and international visitors to the south-western coast of the state of Victoria. I decided to spend my recent summer holiday exploring the region with my family. I will admit, I was a little apprehensive after my husband booked the holiday because I’d been to the area on three previous occasions and experienced miserable weather with horizontal rain! Not the best conditions for sightseeing.

A couple of days after Christmas we had the car and trailer packed with all our camping gear and set off early for the seven hour drive from Melbourne to the Great Ocean Road which is signified by a memorial arch just before you arrive in Lorne. The arch commemorates the returned service men that commenced building the road during 1918, and on to our destination, Warrnambool.

During our 10 day holiday (my 10 day ‘digital-detox’) we enjoyed the beach at Warrnambool, a day trip to the ‘Shipwreck’ coast taking in the 12 Apostles, The Arch, London Bridge, Bay of Martyrs, Bay of Islands and Port Campbell. Helicopter flights over the coast seemed very popular with as many helicopters as flies!

A lovely day trip was also taken to the nearby historic township of Port Fairy where the children enjoyed a camel ride and I drooled over the historic cottages by the old inland port. From Port Fairy we visited ‘Tower Hill State Game Reserve‘ which is based around an extinct volcanic crater, so makes for some interesting landscapes and plenty of wildlife can be seen including emus, kangaroos and koalas. We were very impressed with the Worn Gundidj Visitor Centre. Its design blended beautifully with the landscape and is very well hidden within the crater.

One of the highlights of our stay at Warrnambool was the ‘Shipwreck Sound and Light Show‘ at the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village. The spectacular laser show depicts the voyage of the ill-fated Loch Ard ship bound for Melbourne from England during 1878 and was wrecked on the reefs near Port Campbell. There were only two survivors which is miraculous in itself when you see the size of the cliffs they would have been confronted with. The Loch Ard Cemetery is located near Loch Ard Gorge and named after the wreck.

Our holiday ended with a superb meal at Simons Waterfront Restaurant. The restaurant is situated right on the foreshore of Lady Bay with a lovely view over the water to sit back and enjoy the sunset. We all enjoyed our summer, family holiday but for me, the digital-detox was very necessary and a chance to enjoy the 3D world!

Australia’s Great Ocean Road: Walks, Beaches, Heritage, Towns, Ecology and Sustainable Tourism: The Complete Guide to Southwest Victoria

Map

TravelTipsPlus Google Map of the Great Ocean Road to Warrnambool

One Great Reason to Visit the Great Ocean Road

One great reason to visit this travel destination is for the spectacular coast line that can be viewed via the scenic drive through coastal towns, national parks and open, salt-bush, cliff tops.

Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia

For More Information

Wikipedia

Great Ocean Road – Official Tourism Victoria Site

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Byron Bay, Australia

Where is Byron Bay?

Byron Bay is located on the east coast of northern New South Wales and is home to Cape Byron, the most easterly point of mainland Australia. Whilst Byron Bay is relatively small of permanent residents, being the second most visited travel destination in N.S.W, its population can expand three to four times.

The beautiful beaches of Belongil, Wategos and Clarkes, and the lush rainforest surroundings have attracted visitors over the years but no more so than during the 1970’s, bringing a very eclectic group of residents and visitors. It became the surfy and hippy mecca.

I remember as a teenager, a visit to Byron Bay to visit family members living there. Their diving business was part of the heart of the natural surroundings. Their home was not too far from Cape Byron Lighthouse and they really did have spectacular views over the beach. What I remember most of Byron Bay, was the laid back atmosphere and the warmer weather compared to that of Melbourne!

Thinking of a holiday to Byron Bay? A keen surfer? Want to surf harder and longer, get more barrels, bust bigger airs and perform tricks with more style?  Then you need to checkout this ‘Surfing Fitness Program‘ eBook.

Map

TravelTipsPlus Google Map of Byron Bay

One Great Reason to Visit Byron Bay

One great reason to visit Byron Bay is for the cosmopolitan and laid back atmosphere of this beachside town.

Byron Bay, Australia

For More Information

Wikipedia

Byron Bay – Official Tourism Site

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