Surf Australia - Quick Facts
LOCATION: Oceania (the big island!)
POPULATION: 22,015,000 (they all surf)
NATIONALITY: Australian
LANGUAGE: English
CURRENCY: Australian Dollar

Australia is a big, big island and as a result gets hit with plenty of swell. The country is split into 7 different states, the largest of which is Western Australia.
The language spoken is English, the currency is Australian Dollars (Some of the notes have seethrough plastic panels which is rather unusual!).
The capital of Australia is Canberra, the largest city is Sydney.

Australia is home to some of the best waves on the planet and some of the best surfers in the world. Good waves can be found all year round. Summer tends to be less consistent but cyclones can provide epic conditions.
If you are looking to take a trip somewhere and want plenty of coastline to choose from then Oz is the go! You have three choices - east, south or west. There is no surfing in the north mainly because of the stingers (jellyfish) and salt water crocodiles.

Highlights are Kirra, Snapper Rocks and Margaret River to name a few. All the main surf spots main spots are very busy as surfing seems to be the national pastime. This Australian surf spot map has lots of the better known spots, please feel free to add your own (no secrets though!) or post some of your Australian surfing photos or video.

Australia is home to some of the great waves on the planet,

East Coast
The east coast of Australia is home to such legendary spots as Kirra and Burleigh Heads and has been the training ground for past world champions. Practically all of the Queensland ands New South Wales coasts get plenty of swell and have tons of great surf spots and a variety of both reef, point and beach breaks. The weather is great and the sea temperature is warm. The most consistent swells come during the winter (May - Aug) but it is the summer cyclone season that everyone looks forward to, sometimes producing classic swells lasting for 7 days or more. The main problem with the east coast are the crowds. Everyone surfs and everyone is good. If you are an inexperienced surfer at a popular spot you will struggle to get waves. If you want to get away from the crowds then keep clear of the Gold Coast, Newcastle and Sydney's surf beaches.


South Coast
The main surfing area on the south coast is along the Great Ocean Road around Torquay (where boardshorts were invented!). Bells Beach is probably the most famous break this area has to offer but there are plenty of other spots. The whole coastline gets plenty of swell generated by the deep low pressures tracking across the bottom of the country, April to October sees regular swells. You'll need a wetsuit though, the southern sea temperature is cold all year round. If you are into big wave riding then this could be the destination for you, there are numerous spots that can hold waves of 20+ foot.



West Coast
Again, the whole coast catches plenty of swell throughout the year, the winter months of May to August being the most consistent. Crowds are less of a factor than on the East Coast but but the main spots, especially the beaches around Perth, get pretty busy.
In the south west, the Margaret River region is home to some classic waves. The coast gets pounded by powerful surf and has the spots to handle them. Don't expect too many beginners beach breaks, this is an area frequented by experienced surfers surfing powerful, dangerous waves.
Heading north you come across metro beach breaks of Perth. What could be one of the worlds great surf cities has most of the decent swell blocked out by Rottnest Island. There are beach breaks and reefs all the way up Perth's shoreline but the swell has to be just right to get some of them working. A trip over to Rottnest Island is well worthwhile if you are in need of a decent surf. The island gets the swell that Perth misses out on and there are breaks to suit everyone from beginner to the most experienced.
Further north you leave the crowds behind and start finding some classic empty waves that all us surfers dream about.

Australia is a great country to come and surf. Plenty of choice and waves, and with an island this size you can always find an empty peak if you are willing to look.

Surfing Australia - The Good
Consistent Waves.
World Class Surf.
Variety of Waves to Suit Everyone.

Surf Australia - The Bad and the Ugly
Many Crowded Spots (Especially the East Coast).
Heavy Localism at some Spots

Australia Surfing Conditions

If you have information on surfing in Australia we would like to know. Tell us how good or bad your surfing vacation was by posting your trip details on our Surf Forum.

Click the link for some background (non surfing related) information on Australia.