Surfing Australia – the best beach breaks, barrels and banks, from WSL tour locations to bustling Bondi Beach

Surrounded by oceans, it’s no wonder Australia is one of the most popular surfing destinations in the world. It is also home to three of the biggest events on the World Surf League’s (WSL) championship tour – the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast, Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach and Margaret River Pro. Not sure where to find the best barrel, brah? Check out our list of the best places to surf around Australia.

Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Surf’s up on the Sunshine Coast! The Sunshine Coast is a great place for gentle waves, and is perfect for beginners. Learn the basics at a Noosa surf school or head to Kings Beach or Moffat Beach near Caloundra to catch some cool waves at one of the best surf beaches on the Sunshine Coast.

Sunshine Coast accommodation
Mantra Mooloolaba Beach: This beachside resort is located on the doorstep to cafes and shops and just minutes from some of the Sunshine Coast’s best beach breaks.
Peppers Noosa Resort & Villas: Relax and enjoy the serenity in Noosa National Park at this stunning resort with a luxurious day spa and chic restaurant.

Surfing in Noosa

Gold Coast, Queensland
The Gold Coast is world-renowned for its endless beaches and surf spots. Join the pro surfers at Snapper Rocks, where the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast is held each year, ride a rad wave at one of the best surf spots on the Gold Coast like Burleigh Beach or surf the open beaches like Surfers Paradise while the swell is pumping.

Gold Coast accommodation
Mantra Coolangatta Beach. Watch the sets roll in from your ocean view apartment at this beachy hotel on the southern end of the Gold Coast.
Mantra Circle on Cavill. Conveniently located in the heart of Surfers Paradise, this popular resort has three pools and is just a short stroll to the glittering sands and constant waves of Surfers Paradise beach.

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Northern Rivers, New South Wales
What are the best surf beaches in NSW? There are so many to choose from – try them out and decide for yourself! Hangout with the hippies in Byron Bay, ride the right-hander in Lennox Head or head to the Tweed Coast hot-spots of Cabarita Beach or Salt Beach for some solo surfing away from the crowds.

Northern Rivers accommodation
Mantra on Salt Beach and Peppers Salt Resort & Spa: These two seaside resorts are situated in sleepy Salt Village, Kingscliff, just 15 minutes from the Gold Coast Airport and steps from some of the best Northern Rivers’ surf beaches.

North Coast, New South Wales
The North Coast of Australia produces some great surfing conditions, and one of the best places to catch some waves is Crescent Head, approximately 60 kilometres north of Port Macquarie. Make sure you check out the famous right hander at Crescent Head Point or the barrels at Crescent Head Front Beach, which are some of the best surf spots on the NSW North Coast.

North Coast accommodation
Mantra the Observatory: The perfect base for a North Coast surf trip, this beachside resort boasts a day spa, heated pool and spacious apartment accommodation.

Sydney, New South Wales
The iconic Bondi Beach needs no introduction. The reliable waves here are perfect for those learning how to surf at a local Bondi surf school or for seasoned professionals just looking for a fun time. You may even catch an episode of Bondi Rescue being filmed! Want to visit some of the other best surf beaches in Sydney? Try Manly, Cronulla or Macca’s.

Sydney accommodation
BreakFree on George: Experience the best Sydney attractions from this centrally located hotel. Shop, dine or head to one of the many surf beaches just minutes from the city.
Mantra 2 Bond Street: Situated in the heart of Sydney CBD, these New York style loft apartments are stylish and the perfect place to rest your head after a busy day exploring the city or surfing at Bondi.

Bondi Beach

Credit: Destination NSW

Wollongong, New South Wales
Are you after some fun, small, peaky waves to start your day? Head to North Wollongong Beach or one of Wollongong’s 16 other surf beaches to practice your best moves. Some of the best breaks can be found at Sandon Point, Woonona or Bellambi.

Wollongong accommodation
Mantra Wollongong: Just minutes from Wollongong’s many surf beaches, this contemporary hotel features fully furnished apartments, some with spectacular ocean views.

Bells Beach, Victoria
Made famous by the movie Point Break with Patrick Swayze, Bells Beach is a world-renowned surf beach with a rocky shoreline and series of reef breaks, making it popular with advanced surfers. Head there during Easter each year to catch the action at the Rip Curl Pro, and don’t forget to stop by the Surf World Surfing Museum or Surf City Plaza in Torquay.

Bells Beach/Torquay accommodation
Peppers The Sands Resort: With premium facilities including an 18-hole championship golf course and health club with indoor lap pool, this Torquay resort is the ideal spot for a relaxing surf holiday.

Bells Beach

Lorne, Victoria
If you’re looking for Great Ocean Road surf spots, Lorne is a great place to base yourself. Lorne Main Beach is perfect for beginners, whereas Lorne Point and Cathedral Rock can produce bigger swells for the more advanced.

Lorne accommodation
Mantra Lorne: This beachfront hotel has everything you need for a Great Ocean Road getaway including an outdoor cinema, restaurant, tennis courts, day spa, garden bar and indoor heated mineral pool.

Tasmania
You can find the best surf in Tasmania along the East Coast, the most popular place being Eaglehawk Neck (just over an hour from Hobart) and anywhere in between Orford to Bicheno (two hours from Launceston). Keen to check out Australia's southernmost surf beach? Wake up early for the seven-kilometre walk through World Heritage wilderness to South Cape Bay, about two and a half hours from Hobart, to discover this unspoilt coastline along with some great surf.

Tasmania accommodation
Mantra One Sandy Bay Road: Once Hobart’s first Automatic Phone Exchange building, this charming hotel is within walking distance to some of the best Hobart attractions such as Salamanca Market and the ferry to MONA.
Peppers Silo Hotel: Overlooking Cataract Gorge and the Tamar River Basin, this Launceston hotel is located in a historic building with modern rooms and an award-winning restaurant.

South Cape Bay

Credit: Tourism Tasmania & Geoffrey Lea

South Australia
Chuck on your wetsuit, grab your wax and hop on the ferry to Kangaroo Island, just off the coast of Adelaide. Surf can be found at Vivonne Bay or Cape Gantheaume Conservation Park (for the more experienced surfer).  There are also plenty of South Australia surf spots along the South coast, all within driving distance of Adelaide, including Middleton Beach, Port Noarlunga and Seaford.

Adelaide accommodation
Mantra on Frome: Walk to Rundle Mall, enjoy fine dining on Rundle Street or visit vineyards in the Barossa Valley, just an hour’s drive from this Adelaide hotel.
BreakFree Directors Studios: Explore all of the top things to do in Adelaide from this centrally located hotel with comfortably appointed rooms and studios.

Snelling Beach

Credit: Isaac Forman

Perth, Western Australia
You’ll be stoked to hear that there’s surf around Perth! There’s usually more swell north of the city, at beaches like Brighton Beach, Scarborough Beach and Trigg Beach and at the reef breaks a bit further north, so we recommend heading here for the best surf beaches in Perth.

Perth accommodation
Mantra on Murray: Located at the stylish King Street end of Perth, this hotel is surrounded by boutique shops, cafes and bars.
Peppers Kings Square Hotel: With contemporary furnishings, a classy restaurant and bar and a very helpful concierge, this hotel is the ideal place to stay in Perth’s city centre.

Scarborough Beach

Credit: Tourism Western Australia

Darwin, Northern Territory
Although not commonly known for its surfing, Darwin possesses some pretty good waves (when the conditions are right) for those who are seeking surf in the Top End. The surf usually only presents itself for about a month each year, but at that time, surfers flock to Nightcliff and Dripstone Cliffs at Casuarina. You could also try Fish Traps, however be cautious of the rocks and coral beneath the water.

Darwin accommodation
Mantra Pandanas: Enjoy views of Darwin Harbour from this conveniently located Darwin hotel with lagoon style pool, restaurant and bar and a laid back tropical vibe.
Mantra on the Esplanade: Situated on the harbourfront, this modern hotel is within walking distance to the CBD and many of the top Darwin attractions.

Darwin

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