Surfing in Australia – Ultimate Surf Road Trip from Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast to Sydney (The East Coast)

Keen to surf or want a surfing road trip down the coast? This guide is for you!

It was not until started my travelling journey that I realised I really took Australia’s beaches for granted. I might be bias but let me tell you one of the beach on the Gold Coast is literally called Surfer’s Paradise and trust me it didn’t get its name by accident.

If you’re a surfer, you know that there’s nothing quite like the thrill of catching a wave. Surfing taught me more about life than anything I ever experienced.

The Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast and Sydney are three of the best places to surf in Australia, so why not take a road trip and hit up all the best surfing spots along the way? I listed them in the order from north to south.

Queensland:

Starting from the north, the first stop on our journey is Noosa. This is as far north as you can go on the east coast before running into the Great Barrier Reef’s coral banks that blocks the swells coming in. Noosa points are known for waves that consistently break in the same speed and line – making these some of the best point breaks in the world. The best time to surf here is December through to April. So essentially all summer and a little bit of Autumn! Noosa beach is requires north-east swells.

Next up, we have the Coolum. The home of Australian professional surfer Julian Wilson! If you are travelling on the colder months this is the place to be. South-east swells works best for this beach. Coolum Beach offers left and right handers. Perfect place for beginners to practice on the long whitewater and pro’s for the larger swells. Lets just say, whether you are a beginner or pro, Coolum Beach has a wave for you.

OKAY, next we have Mooloolaba! I personally love surfing here if I am teaching a friend how to surf. There are no rips making this an amazing location to learn. The beach is protected and sheltered so it is super fun and safe to learn to surf or ride a party wave.

Southport. I will most certainly visit Southport Spit if you love dogs. If the beach is too blown out to surf, there is an amazing snorkelling alternative at the south wall of the Gold Coast Seaway. I wouldn’t say it is the easiest for beginners to surf here because it is often quite windy and choppy at the breaks. The Spit is an exposed river break with consistent surf that is a favourite among more experienced surfers. So, if you are an experienced to advanced surfer this spot is for you.

Next, head down to Burleigh Heads, which is one of the most popular surf spots on the Gold Coast. Burleigh Heads has two sections: sheltered waters perfect for swimming and the headlands with consistent surfing waves best for experienced surfers. Even if you are not surfing here you get can catch an amazing view and sunset of the Gold Coast from the headlands of Burleigh Heads.

From there, make your way to Currumbin Alley (known to locals as “the Alley“). This is my personal favourite and without doubt a favourite among the locals. This beach offers consistent surf year-round and is a great spot for longboarders. The Alley is a great spot to learn to surf as it is protected from southerly onshore winds.

Continuing south, we come to Snapper Rocks, which is one of the most iconic surf spots in Australia. It’s known for its long, perfect right-handers and is a must-surf spot for any serious surfer. Located on the northern side of Point Danger, a man-made surf break that provides one of the longest and hollowest waves in the world. The breaks are amazing that the annual Quiksilve Pro surfing competition is held here.

We are friends here so I’ll letting you in on my little secret. Fingal Head Beach! This is definitely a less known beach. This beach is a secluded spot with a consistent, fun wave. It’s a great place to escape the crowds and enjoy some peaceful surfing.

New south wales:

Next, we have Byron Bay, which is a popular destination for surfers and non-surfers alike. Byron Bay is famous for its unique hippy ambience. The beach breaks here are perfect for beginners, while the point breaks provide a challenge for more experienced surfers. Waves at the beach break both left and right together with both left and right hand reef breaks offshore.

Moving further south, we reach Coffs Harbour, which has a variety of surf spots to choose from. One of the most popular spots is Park Beach, which has a long, peeling right-hander that’s perfect for longboarders.

Crescent Head ! This is home to one of the best point breaks in Australia. Crescent Head was declared a National Surfing Reserve in 2008. The right-handers here are long and fast, providing an exhilarating surfing experience. If you get lucky and snag a wave all the way down to the point you might get a potential endorphin overload 😉 and who wouldn’t want that?

As we make our way further south, we come to Port Macquarie, which is another great surfing destination. My favourites are Flynn’s and Lighthouse Beach which is easier on beginner surfers. These protected beaches create waves that are gentle yet classic suitable for surfers to practice. A beginner to intermediate situation.

Horseshoe Beach is a popular spot for beginner surfers as it is sheltered and offers powerful whitewater waves. It is an exposed beach break and the beach break offers both left and right hand waves. There are a variety of other breaks to choose from in the area.

Next, we come to Nobbys Beach on the other side of Horseshoe Beach in Newcastle, which is a great spot for intermediate to advanced surfers. The beach has a variety of breaks, including a powerful right-hand point break.

Along the same coast is the Merewether Beach in Newcastle. This beach is the home beach of the four-time World Surfing Champion Mark Richards! Being the Australia’s National Surfing Reserve, the beach has a consistent, fun wave and is a popular spot for surfers of all levels. It’s also home to Fort Scratchley, which is an interesting historical site that’s worth a visit.

Arguably one of the most well-known and iconic beach in Australia is the Bondi Beach. The amazing 1km spread of white-sand crescent of Bondi is definitely one of my favourite NSW beaches. Bondi is full of trendy, health-conscious Sydneysiders, the rich social scene and laid-back cafes vibes. And the best thing is its super easy to get to from central Sydney city.

Last but not least… Main Beach. Manly Beach is a beach situated among the Northern Beaches of Sydney. Manly is one of the most beginner-friendly beaches with its gentle but consistent waves. I do have to say, you need to be careful of the blue bottle jelly fish during summer. These jellyfishes are harmless but have an excruciating sting.

In conclusion, the Sunshine Coast to Sydney surfing road trip is the ultimate adventure for surfers. With so many great spots to choose from, you will be sure to find the perfect wave along the way. So pack your boards, hit the road, and get ready for the surf trip of a lifetime!

Alright, list time because I love lists!

Check out this post if you’re interested to visit another city in Australia!