Catching the Surf in Australia

By Damian Papworth

When surfers think of a holiday destination, few parts of the planet are quite as enticing as Australia. All over the world, everybody knows that there is hardly a better place to be than Down Under to catch the most amazing, glassy waves the oceans have to offer. Practically every section of Australia's coast-excluding areas naturally protected by harbors, bays, etc.-has world-class surf conditions to boast of, making a trip to Australia an absolute must for all surfing fanatics.

One area that surfers generally avoid in Australia is the northern part of the continent, where a mix of natural conditions generally shoo people off: between the small stature of the waves and the fact that these tropical waters are rife with the world's most dangerous jellyfish, it's best to go catch a wave elsewhere!

In a country of this size, the other tracts of coastline are more than ample grounds (or waters) in which to seek out a good ride. Australia has many thousands of miles of beautiful beaches with some exceptional beach as well as reef breaks all along the way. Whether you're in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean off Australia's western coast or in the chilly waters off the southern end of the continent or the heavily frequented waters of the eastern shores, surfers will feel like their dreams have come true in any of these places.

Western Australia surely boasts some of the most exceptional surf spots, and the fact that the water gets nice and warm and the air even warmer makes it all that much more inviting. The Indian Ocean is at its best here, and perfect 6 feet tubes are a dime a dozen here. Surfers are advised to get to know such coastal destinations as Esperance, Albany or Margaret River (where the river opens into the sea, of course), all of which are famous for their ability to attract boarders from all over the planet.

South Australia offers surfers chillier waters, but hardly any other sacrifice! The surf conditions here are ideal despite the frigidness of the ocean, and the cold currents flowing northwards from Antarctica provide truly spectacular swells that are the stuff of surfing legends. The terrain is pretty rugged which makes accessing many beaches a bit of a challenge, but if you happen to be lucky enough to have a local guide and/or a 4WD vehicle you can surmount any obstacle just about. In this part of the country, surfers should definitely get to know spots like Yorke Peninsula and Eyre Peninsula, designated by local surfers and those that flock from the capital of Adelaide as being nothing short of the best.

The coast of Victoria is similar in many aspects to that of South Australia, and in both cases surfers will want to don their wet suits as the waters are exceptionally chilly. Despite this, the conditions are magnificent: to get the most out of this area, again, you will want to pick apart the brain of a local surfer. Nonetheless, keep an eye out for Bells Beach, Phillip Island and Torquay, singled out by locals as favorite surf spots. For a leisurely surf/road trip, just get on the Great Ocean Road that runs for more than 100 miles along the Victorian coast-it's simply chock-full of ideal surf breaks.

Moving back towards warmer waters, New South Wales has seemingly unending expanses of surfable spots-from the crowded beaches around Sydney to the more remote locations farther north or south, such as Byron Bay, Angourie, and Lennox.

Even more to the north, in Queensland surfers can enjoy such beautiful places as the Gold Coast, where surfing culture has taken root unlike anywhere else on the planet practically. Beach names like Surfers Paradise bear testament to the local obsession with the sport. Then, in northern Queensland, surfers can check out the natural phenomenon that is the Great Barrier Reed, one of the most spectacular natural formations in the world.

Finally, well to the south and amid truly icy waters, the surf spots of Tasmania are restricted to the genuinely brave of heart. The eastern beaches are the best, especially during mid-spring and summer. - 31512

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