Australia is a magical surfing destination that has a very clear reputation for having stunning beaches and great waves while offering a laidback lifestyle. 

Many people come to Australia with a very precise dream…Learning how to surf.

Wherever you are in Oz, surfing is a big part of the culture and given the size of the country, you will want to aim for a good spot to catch your first few waves.

Here is a list of our favorite places to learn how to surf in Australia!

Byron Bay, New South Wales

Byron Bay is a very popular surfing destination in Australia not only for its great waves, but also for its unique vibe and lifestyle. There are many surf spots to chose from depending on your level and a few surf schools are there to help beginners make their first steps on a wave in a safe way.

The Pass is an awesome wave to learn how to surf due to its length and mellowness. As much as crowds can be an issue, it is also what makes Byron Bay a great place to meet fellow surfers and enjoy a pleasant and balanced surfing environment.

From its drum circles to its wildlife, everything about Byron Bay just makes it more amazing…

Read our complete surfing guide to Byron Bay

Gold Coast, Queensland

Gold Coast is another popular surfing destination on the east coast of australia that attracts a huge amount of tourists every year. On the southern end of Gold Coast, near Coolangatta, is located most of the surfing potential with one of Australia’s best waves, Superbank.

This man-made sand bar offers a long and punchy right-hand wave which will suit any type of surfers. On big cyclone swells, Superbank can turn into a long world-class barrel while the summer days will offer mellow longboard waves, perfect for beginners.

Noosa, Queensland

Located on the beautiful Sunshine Coast, Noosa is a small holiday/surf town that is extremely pretty, with a bit less of the “hipstery” vibe that you get in Byron Bay.

Waves in Noosa are great for learning due to their consistency and mellowness which will allow you to slowly get comfortable in the water. Crowds will also be more reasonable than what you can find on the Gold Coast or in Byron.

Rainbow Beach, Queensland

Rainbow Beach is just a bit north of Noosa and will be even less crowded. Just at the end of the beach is a spot called Double Island Point which is one of the World’s longest waves.

A couple of surf schools are to be found in Rainbow Beach and they will drive you to Double Island Point for a day that you will never forget.

If you are looking for a place to settle and go surf by yourself as much as you want, be aware that waves here may not be as accessible as they can be further down south.

Sydney, New South Wales

Sydney’s beaches offer a very nice setup for beginners to learn how to surf especially for those who are seeking a city/professional life while being able to enjoy the ocean.

Manly Beach is the most popular surf spot near Sydney, but definitely not the only one. While most of Sydney beaches do require a bit of work to get access to, the trip is definitely worth it.

Torquay, Victoria

Home to one of Australia’s most iconic surf spot, Bells Beach, Torquay is a small surfing village that will charm anyone paying a visit.

Only an hour south of Melbourne, this surf town has waves for surfers of any skill level and many surf schools are present to help beginners get into the sport.

Every year, Torquay hosts the World Surf League for an event that became one of the most prestigious on tour.

Ripcurl, the world-known surfing brand was also established in Torquay a few decades ago and you can truly feel the surfing history and culture as soon as you step into this special town.

Yamba, New South Wales

Yamba is a small surf town about an hour south of Byron Bay. It is gifted with one of Australia’s best wave, Angourie Point.

While Angourie might be a bit of an advanced wave, there are still some good waves for beginners in Yamba like Main Beach.

The vibe here is also absolutely epic, being less busy than Byron Bay or Gold Coast, with still a lot of things to see and do.

Western Australia

Western Australia has some amazing surf that is usually known for being bigger and requiring a better skill level than what you can find on the east coast. 

However, there are still many good learning days and a lot of beaches that can make beginners enjoy themselves in Western Australia. Crowds are also way thinner than on the east coast.

Read our Surfing Guide to Margaret River

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Key facts for surfing the East Coast of Australia

Summary

From Sydney to Agnes Water, the east coast of Australia is loaded with surf spots for those looking for a typical Australian surf trip. 

The east coast of Australia is one of the most popular backpackers’ and “vanlifers” destination in the world making it a very convenient place to visit. Meeting people will never be as easy as it is in Australia and many tours and activities are possible throughout the coast.

Having so many things to see and do comes with a downside though…Most breaks will be much more crowded than what you can find in Tasmania or in Western Australia. However, this should still not be a reason to avoid this region at all.

Agnes Water is pretty much the most northerly wave with a surfing potential on the east coast because beyond that, the Great Barrier Reef prevents swells from hitting the mainland. Down south, Sydney is home of many popular spots as well. In between, a countless amount of world-renowned surf spots like Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Byron Bay and Yamba.

When to go

The best time to surf the east coast of Australia is from April to October for more consistent surf and smaller crowds. However, even during the summer months, surfing conditions are still very enjoyable and temperatures, both on land and in the water, become much warmer.

Best surf towns on Australia’s east coast

Byron Bay

Byron Bay is that little trendy surf town everyone dreams about when they think of Australia. For the last decade, it has been a backpackers hotspot and the town has been growing at a mind blowing pace over that period.

Beautiful beaches, clear water, dolphins, whales and consistent surf are all waiting for you in Byron. As the most easterly point of Australia, the surf in Byron Bay works with different wind directions due to its head point that shelters the bay. If it is cross/onshore in the bay, it should be cross/off at Tallows, just around the corner. Rarely will there be a day without surf at any of the surrounding beaches…

The most popular surf spot in Byron Bay is The Pass, a long and consistent point break that works best for long boarders. Tallow Beach, on the other side of the head point, is a punchy beach break that will be suitable for more experienced surfers.

Manly beach

Out of all the Sydney beaches, Manly is the most popular one for surfing, hosting a major WQS event every year. It represents a great place to learn how to surf with multiple schools in the area and waves than never really become too massive, except on a few winter days or on cyclone swells.

Yamba

Yamba is a small town located just an hour south of Byron Bay and home to a world-class point break called Angourie. There are also different waves for all skill levels which makes Yamba a nice place to get away from the crowds and enjoy the Australian lifestyle.

Gold Coast

Along with the Sydney beaches, Gold Coast is the most popular surfing destination on the east coast of Australia. Coolangatta is at the very bottom of the Gold Coast region, right next to the New South Wales border, and this is where the best surf is located. Snapper Rocks, Kirra, Rainbow Bay and D-Bah are all top quality breaks that tend to be very crowded even on average swell days.

Sunshine Coast

Further up the east coast lies Noosa, a very nice surf town that is part of the Sunshine coast. Noosa has a main beach break as well as a nice point break called Noosa Heads. 

This surf town is purely magical, representing the perfection of Australia’s tropical climate.

Getting there

There are 4 major international airports. Sydney, Brisbane, Cairns or Gold Coast. For a more convenient and complete road trip, aim to land in Sydney or Cairns as they are located at both ends of the coast. If you want to go anywhere in the middle and stay there, Gold Coast and Brisbane are probably better options.

The transportation system is very solid on the east coast with Greyhound buses going all the way from north to south and vice versa. You can either purchase a single ticket from point A to point B or buy one of those “hop-on, hop-off” pass that gives you more freedom.

Safety/Things to know

Look out for sharks and respect the locals. The surf can get very crowded especially in the summer months. If you are looking for a surf trip away from the crowd, have a look at the Australian west coast

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