Best Surfing Spots in Australia

Australia offers plenty of surfing areas, where first-class waves for all surfing abilities break. Visit for example iconic Bells Beach in Victoria on the Great Ocean Road or Byron Bay, Sydney and its south coast in New South Wales. Catch one of the world’s longest waves on Queensland’s Gold Coast or find perfect surf beaches around the Fleurieu and Eyre peninsulas in South Australia.

New South Wales

Sydney is famous for its easy-to-reach ocean beaches. It just takes you a short bus ride from the city centre and you can start to surf at Bondi, Tamarama, Bronte or Maroubra. North of the harbour bridge, there are some more surf beaches such as Manly, Curl Curl, Dee Why, Narrabeen, Avalon and Palm Beach. North of Sydney, try Avoca Beach, Terrigal, Newcastle and further north you’ll find Byron Bay. South of Sydney, visit the Royal National Park, Cronulla, Port Kembla, Killalea State Park and eventually beautiful Jervis Bay.

Victoria

For the main surf spots in Victoria you have to drive south west from Melbourne. The Bellarine Peninsula is the first place to ride reliable waves before Torquay, access to Victoria’s Surf Coast on the Great Ocean Road. Bells Beach, which is home to the annual Rip Curl Pro Surf and Music Festival Bird Rock is another popular surf beach. Gentler waves can be found at Jan Juc, Point Danger, Point Impossible, Anglesea and Fairhaven. The surf is nearly always up in Apollo Bay and on the Shipwreck Coast.

Queensland

Not for nothing it is said that the Gold Coast in Queensland is a surfer’s paradise. You can ride some of the world’s longest waves there at the Snapper Rocks Superbank near Coolangatta. Further north, there are more surf spots such as Currumbin, Palm Beach, Burleigh Heads, Nobby Beach, Mermaid Beach and Broadbeach. From Brisbane, the deserted surf beaches of Bribie and Moreton Islands beckon. Uncrowded waves can also be found at the Sunshine Coast in Caloundra, Moolooloba, Maroochydore, Coolum Beach and Noosa Heads.

Western Australia

Best surf spots in Perth are Trigg Island, Scarborough, Cottesloe beaches, Rottnest Island and Strickland Bay. You can go surfing with the elite at Margaret River Surfer’s Point or ride the monster swells at The Box, North Point and Three Bears. You will find ten-foot waves further south at Yallingup Reef. North of Perth, Kalbarri, Geraldton and Exmouth are home to some awe-inspiring breaks.

South Australia

The surf beaches of the Fleurieu Peninsula are not far away from Adelaide. Reef and beach breaks can be found from Christies to Sellicks, and huge swells from Goolwa to Parsons. Beginners should go to Kangaroos Island to catch some easy beach breaks at Stokes, Vivonne and Pennington Bays. The Limestone Coast’s surf spots, such as Robe, Beachport and Cape Douglas, stretch all the way to Victoria.

Tasmania

Good surfing spots in Tasmania are Park and Clifton beaches near Hobart or Eaglehawk Neck on the Tasman Peninsula. On Bruny Island, you can hit the big breaks at Cloudy Bay or South Cape Bay. On the northern coast, you should visit Tam O’Shanter north-east of Launceston or the Mersey Mouth at Devonport. Marrawah is Tasmania’s westernmost settlement and home to its biggest surf.

Find out more about the best surfing spots in Australia.

Pictures by Daniel Ramirez https://www.flickr.com/photos/danramarch/, Robert Young https://www.flickr.com/photos/robertpaulyoung/ and Misty https://www.flickr.com/photos/mistybushell/.