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Ten thousand plus. No, we’re not talking about Ricky Ponting’s career run haul in Test cricket; this is the number of beaches found in Australia.

And many of these beaches provide seriously good surfing opportunities. You see, our nation is surrounded by ocean – three of them in fact – and quality waves abound.

Want to find an iconic surfing location on your next BIG4 break? We’ll steer you in the right direction courtesy of this comprehensive list from Tourism Australia.

It’s time to ride the crest of a wave…

Surfing in Victoria

From Melbourne, head south west to hit reliable breaks on the Bellarine Peninsula before Torquay, gateway to Victoria’s Surf Coast on the Great Ocean Road. Visit legendary Bells Beach, home to the annual Rip Curl Pro Surf each Easter.

You’ll find gentler waves at popular Jan Juc, Point Impossible, and Point Danger. Boogie board or learn to surf at Anglesea and nearby Fairhaven. Choose from right-handers and beach breaks in Lorne.

The surf is almost always up in Apollo Bay and on the Shipwreck Coast, past Cape Otway. You’ll find great surf beaches at Warrnambool, Port Fairy, and Portland.

Southeast of Melbourne, head to the back beaches of the Mornington Peninsula or further east to Phillip Island.

Surfing in New South Wales

In Sydney, you can choose from easy-to-reach ocean beaches a bus ride from the city centre. Learn to surf at Bondi or battle the breaks at Tamarama, Bronte, or Maroubra.

North of the harbour bridge, surf at Manly or dominate the empty waves in, Queenscliff, Curl, Dee Why, Narrabeen, Avalon, and Palm Beach. 

On the Central Coast, north of Sydney, try Avoca Beach, Terrigal, and Newcastle. Further north, you’ll find Crescent Head and Angourie surfing reserve before the breaks of Byron Bay.

South of Sydney, visit Royal National Park or the many surfing gems clustered around Cronulla. Continue south to Port Kembla, Killalea State Park, and Jervis Bay.

Surfing in Queensland

Discover waves on the Gold Coast, a surfer’s paradise. Ride some of the world’s longest waves at the Snapper Rocks Superbank near Coolangatta. Travelling north, stop in Currumbin, Palm Beach, Burleigh Heads, Nobby Beach, Mermaid Beach, and Broadbeach.

Learn to surf on North Stradbroke Island or paddle to South Stradbroke across the Gold Coast Seaway. From Brisbane, the secluded surf beaches of Bribie and Moreton islands beckon.

Enjoy the clean, uncrowded waves of the Sunshine Coast in Caloundra, Moolooloba, Maroochydore, Coolum Beach, and Noosa Heads. Learn to surf in Noosa, where the pristine beaches are fringed by bushland.

Surfing in Western Australia

In Perth, surf the powerful waves of Trigg Island or the clean ocean curves of Scarborough or Cottesloe beaches. On nearby Rottnest Island, Strickland Bay is one of many surfing gems. 

In Margaret River, paddle out with the surfing elite at Surfers Point or tackle the monster swells at The Box, North Point, Smiths, and Three Bears.

Further south, you’ll find 10-foot waves at Yallingup Reef and two-handers in Gracetown. In Esperance, the excellent waves are created by hundreds of islands and reefs. North of Perth, Kalbarri, Geraldton, and Exmouth are home to just some of the awe-inspiring breaks lining the coast to Ningaloo Reef.

Surfing in South Australia

It’s a short drive from Adelaide to the surf beaches of the Fleurieu Peninsula. Find reef and beach breaks from Christies to Sellicks in the centre, and huge swells in the south from Goolwa to Parsons.

Kangaroo Island offers beginner beach breaks at Stokes, Vivonne and Pennington Bays, and fearsome waves at Hanson and D’Estrees bays.

Ride waves on the international surfing stage in Innes National Park on the Yorke Peninsula. On the vast Eyre Peninsula, learn to surf at Venus Bay or tackle the legendary breaks of Cactus Beach.

The Limestone Coast’s surf spots, such as Robe, Beachport, and Cape Douglas, stretch all the way to Victoria.

Surfing in Tasmania

Paddle out at Park and Clifton beaches near Hobart or venture further to Eaglehawk Neck on the Tasman Peninsula.

On windswept Bruny Island, you can brave the big breaks at Cloudy Bay, or carry your board through the World Heritage Area to South Cape Bay.

On the northern coast, the huge swell is a gift from the Bass Strait. Try Tam O’Shanter northeast of Launceston or the Mersey Mouth at Devonport.

Marrawah is Tasmania’s westernmost settlement and home to its biggest surf. Pull on your wetsuit and throw yourself onto the huge Southern Ocean swells.

 

Isn’t it time you caught a break? Book your next BIG4 escape now.

‘Surfing in Australia’ originally appeared on www.australia.com.

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