Welcome to the Stoned Crow’s Surf guide to the best surf spots in Australia.  I hope that this will help you enjoy your surfing whether you are the ‘Kookiest’ bodyboarder or the ‘Scramiest’ shortboarder.  Don't forget to take a look at "The Crow's Surf Slang Guide"

Ride On !!!!!!! 

Brisbane, Queensland’s capital lays on a bay, but surfing on nearby Stradbroke Island’s beaches can get good.  Southwards again and stretching to the New South Wales are Queensland’s world famous point breaks Kirra and Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast and are best during the cyclone season, although you can get good waves throughout the year.  The Noosa Heads area, on the Sunshine coast, offers the backpacking surfer some classic and consistent point breaks especially in the summer/autumn season.  The North Queensland coast is blocked of swell by the Great Barrier Reef. Although in small choppy swells can be found the presence of potentially deadly jellyfish making it a non-runner.  Fraser Island, a large sand island which is very popular with backpackers can get some excellent beach breaks . A 4WD vehicle is essential to get onto the island and explore the long beaches.

Similar to Queensland NSW breaks turn on best in Summer and Autumn.  The entire NSW coastline gets good surf at one time or another.  South from the Queensland border all the way to Coffs Harbour  there are a number of great beach and point breaks. The North Coast of NSW is home to some classic point setups such Lennox and Angourie(Home to Surf ‘guru’ Nat Young’). The Locals at Angourie tend to be a bit aggro. There are many other good spots if you willing to search.  Byron Bay (The Backpackers Mecca) is Australia’s most easterly point, and its surrounding beaches are usually good value as well.  Coffs Harbour area, halfway between Sydney and Byron Bay,itself has lots of solid beach breaks such as Crescent Head and Port Macquarie. Newcastle also some very good beach breaks.  Southwards begins the Central Coast (approx. 2 hour north of Sydney), which has heaps of  reef and beach breaks. Look out for Avoca and Forresters Beach. If it gets really big head for ‘Crackneck’ . You can guess where it got its name !

As for Sydney where do I begin . The North Shores’ beaches include Dee Why, Freshwater and Manly where you can catch the Worlds Best at the annual Pro world tour event.  Bronte, Maroubra (Known for its grumpy locals), Tamarama or North Bondi in the Eastern Suburbs or Cronulla to the South. These waters can get very busy in the Summer.  The South NSW coast offers top quality waves . Check out Black Rock the Merimbula Bar or ‘The Boneyard’  near Kiama where it is known to be ‘Pumping’.

First things first, if you are going to surf Victoria bring a wetsuit. Tropical waters it is not, especially in the Winter BRRRR!!!! The Victorian coast is open to swells from the ANTARTIC.  From the NSW border towards Melbourne Lakes Entrance is a stretch of largely untouched virgin coastline which has many secret breaks for the surfer in search of some uncrowded waves.  Phillip Island further west has great beach breaks and some point breaks.  Melbourne surfers generally head SW to the famous Bells Beach area. Bells is only one of a number of waves in the area, many are better. Most work best in the Autumn. Also check out Torquay.  Bells Beach is at the northern end of  the Great Ocean Road.  The Road from Bells to Apollo Bay has many breaks, both beach and rock. Most can be checked as you drive along. The coast from here to the South Australian Coast is completely open to the forces of the ocean and therefore gets Big waves. Local knowledge is needed to explore this area.

Similar to the adjoining area in Victoria this coastline is also right open to the southern ocean, so expect some huge swells. From Kingston SE to Victor Harbour the coast is largely inaccessible. If you really want to explore a 4WD vehicle is a must.  This beach ends at Victor Harbour and in this area there are reef and beach breaks.  Adelaide’s surfers sometimes head for the tip of Yorke Peninsula, where there are some good reef / point setups.(Adelaide is in a gulf . No decent waves) . The southern and western coasts of Eyre Peninsula offer a variety of reef, point and beach breaks. Again a 4WD is required.  Oh yeah, did I mention that there are quite a lot of Great White Sharks along this coast.

WA surf can be 35^oC+ heat, 28^oC water temp. and 6ft, glassy barrels. Oh Happy days!!!!

For normal backpackers you will have to leave the coast behind for the next 300 miles until Esperance. That is unless you have a 4WD.  The Esperance area is full of hundreds islands and reefs that offer excellent waves.  Ask the locals for the best at given times.  Between Esperence and Albany there are miles of uncrowded waves although access can be difficult.  Albany is located near the SW corner of WA.  Further north head for the world famous Margeret River.  Generally anywhere that you can get to the coast will get you good surf. Local knowledge is also essential here. North WA receives the same swell as Indo, so you have been warned.

Jellyfish that can kill you, man.  HOT TIP: Forget about it !!!!!!

("Mothertrucker lost his mind")

A few easy tips on surfing:

1. Try finding a board that would be suitable for a beginner. Remember the bigger the board the more stable the board will be when you are trying to get up on the wave.

 

2. When you paddle you should stretch your arms as far forward as you can, fingers tight together and paddle parallel to your body.

 

3. Guide your board towards the beach and paddle a few seconds before the wave hits you. As soon as the wave takes you, be prepared to stand up

 

4. It is not necessary to stand up immediately. Wait until you are quite ready to bounce yourself up on the board. It should be done in one leap. You, this can be practised at home.

 

5. Remember; always look in front of you. There might be someone paddling out in your path.it is up to you to avoid any objects in the water…

6.      Finally, JUST GO FOR IT, MAN.