Best Surf Spots in Australia: A State-by-State Guide
The Best Surf Spots in Australia: A State-by-State Guide
Australia is one of the great surfing countries. Between the reef breaks of Queensland, the beach breaks of NSW, the powerful swells of Victoria and WA, and the cold perfection of Tasmania, there's a wave for every level and every preference. Here's a state-by-state guide to the best of them.
What to Know Before You Go
A few things worth understanding before paddling out anywhere new in Australia:
Check the surf report. Apps like Swellnet, Surf-Forecast, and Magic Seaweed give accurate forecasts for most Australian breaks. Knowing the swell height, period, and wind direction before you arrive will save you a wasted trip and help you surf within your ability.
Respect the locals. Australia has a strong surfing culture with well-established pecking orders at popular breaks. Don't snake waves, don't drop in, and don't paddle straight to the peak at a busy break you've never surfed before. Watch for a few sets first.
Know the rip. Rip currents are the biggest hazard at Australian surf beaches. If you get caught in one, paddle parallel to the shore rather than fighting it directly. At surf breaks, rips are often used by experienced surfers to paddle out — understand them before you paddle out.
Sun protection. Surfers are among the highest-risk groups for UV-related skin damage in Australia — extended time in the water, reflected UV off the ocean surface, and typically minimal clothing. A UPF 50+ rash vest and high-SPF zinc on your face are not optional in Australian conditions.
New South Wales
Snapper Rocks / Superbank, Gold Coast Border
Technically just over the Queensland border, but the Superbank is the first stop for any serious east coast surf trip. The sand-bottom point break stretching from Snapper Rocks to Kirra is one of the longest and most perfectly shaped waves in the world. When it's on — long, hollow, barrelling rights — it's as good as surfing gets anywhere. Gets very crowded; best surfed on smaller days when the lineup spreads out.
Manly Beach, Sydney
The most accessible quality surf beach in Sydney. A solid beach break with multiple peaks, reliable year-round surf, and a surf culture that goes back to the early 1900s. Good for intermediates — advanced surfers will find it manageable but rarely exciting. The Manly to Shelly Beach headland walk is worth doing after your session.
Crescent Head, Mid North Coast
One of the longest and most forgiving point breaks on the east coast. Crescent Head is a longboarder's wave — a slow, rolling right-hander that allows for extended nose-riding on the right swell. The town is small and unpretentious; the vibe in the water is relaxed compared to busier breaks.
Angourie, Northern Rivers
A legendary right-hand point break near Yamba. Angourie can hold large swells and produce long, powerful waves — when it's firing, it's one of the best waves in NSW. The Blue Pool, a natural rock pool right next to the break, is one of the better post-surf spots in the country.
Queensland
Noosa Heads, Sunshine Coast
Noosa is famous for its series of point breaks wrapping around the national park headland — First Point, Tea Tree, Granite Bay, and National Park. The waves are long, mellow, and south-facing, making them sheltered from the dominant southeast winds. It's a longboarder's paradise but shortboarders enjoy it too. The national park setting is spectacular — one of the most beautiful places to surf in Australia.
Burleigh Heads, Gold Coast
A punchy, powerful right-hand point break on the Gold Coast. Burleigh is a step up in intensity from Noosa — the wave is hollower, faster, and more demanding. The takeoff is competitive and the local crew is protective, but on a good day with a light crowd, it's a remarkable wave. The national park headland and the Sunday markets behind the beach make it a full-day destination.
Kirra, Gold Coast
When the Superbank is broken up by sand movement, Kirra can activate as one of the world's great hollow right-handers. Watching Kirra from the point on a solid south swell is one of surfing's great spectacles, even if you're not in the water.
Victoria
Bells Beach, Torquay
The most iconic surf break in Australia. Home of the Rip Curl Pro since 1962 — the world's longest-running professional surfing contest — Bells Beach is a powerful reef and point break that handles big south swells better than almost anywhere on the east coast. The bowl section can be hollow and heavy. Not a beginner break; best suited to confident intermediate and advanced surfers.
Winki Pop, Torquay
The right-hander adjacent to Bells, Winki Pop is often better when Bells is maxing out. A more workable wave on moderate swells, with the same dramatic clifftop setting.
Point Leo, Mornington Peninsula
A quality right-hand reef and point break on the south side of the Mornington Peninsula. Less well-known than the Torquay breaks, Point Leo offers reliable surf in south and southeast swells and is significantly less crowded than the Bells precinct.
Western Australia
Margaret River Main Break
The jewel of WA's surfing. Margaret River — the wave, not just the wine region — is a powerful left-hander that handles large swells with precision. The Margaret River Pro on the WSL tour is held here annually, typically in April or May. Not for beginners or inexperienced surfers; the wave can be fast, heavy, and unforgiving.
Surfers Point, Prevelly
Adjacent to the main break, Surfers Point is slightly more forgiving and consistently produces quality surf. A beautiful setting — the Rivermouth at the end of the Margaret River flowing into the Indian Ocean — makes it worth visiting even if you're not in the water.
The Box, Cowaramup Bay
One of Australia's most dangerous waves and also one of its most spectacular. A freight-train left-hander breaking over a shallow limestone ledge, The Box is for expert surfers only. Watching it from the cliff above on a solid swell is extraordinary.
Yallingup
A more approachable break than the Margaret River main break, Yallingup is a quality right-hander that's surfable on a wider range of swells and abilities. The town itself is relaxed and well set up for a multi-day stay.
Tasmania
Shipstern Bluff
One of the most extreme big-wave breaks in the world — and an unlikely one given Tasmania's geographic isolation. Shipstern is a terrifying, multi-ledge left-hander accessible only by boat or a significant hike through the Tasman Peninsula. It is strictly for the world's best surfers in the right conditions. Worth knowing about even if you'll never surf it.
Eaglehawk Neck, Tasman Peninsula
More accessible than Shipstern, the breaks around Eaglehawk Neck offer quality cold-water surf in a dramatic coastal setting. Wetsuits are mandatory year-round.
South Australia
Cactus Beach, Penong
A remote pilgrimage destination for serious surfers — Cactus is one of Australia's most famous right-hand point breaks, sitting on the edge of the Nullarbor Plain roughly 80 kilometres off the main highway. Three breaks — Cactus, Caves, and Castles — each offer different conditions. No facilities, no phone reception, no crowds. Bring everything you need.
Middleton Beach, Fleurieu Peninsula
The most consistent and accessible surf beach in South Australia. A reliable beach break south of Adelaide on the Fleurieu Peninsula, Middleton works in a wide range of conditions and is well set up for a full day out.
After Your Session
After a long surf session in Australian sun and salt water, your skin needs attention. Salt water strips the skin's moisture barrier, and a day in the water with reflected UV on the ocean surface significantly adds to your total UV exposure — even through a wetsuit or rash vest.
The Xanto after sun oil is designed for exactly this kind of recovery — replenishing lipids, calming inflammation, and helping skin bounce back overnight. See our full guide to after sun care.
And before you head out: a proper beach setup — sand-free blanket, well-anchored umbrella — means you have a comfortable base to come back to between sessions. The XO Beach Blanket slides onto an already-planted umbrella pole in seconds, so your spot is ready when you come in from the water.
Read more
From humpback whales to sea turtles, dolphins to dugongs — a guide to Australia's most remarkable marine animals, where to find them, and how to see them responsibly.
Australia's best national parks with beach access — from Wilsons Promontory to Cape Range. Where to go, what to see, and how to make the most of a coastal park visit.