Surf Spots

Bombo Beach

Wollongong - Shoalhaven, Australia

Bombo Beach is an intermediate beach break near Kiama offering waves in both directions with southeast as the optimal swell direction. The spot works across all tides and performs best with west winds. Rips and crowds are notable hazards.

beginner · intermediate · shortboard

Bondi Beach

New South Wales, Australia

Bondi is a beach break with consistent peaky waves breaking both left and right across shifting sandbars, working year-round but most reliably in winter. The northern end is sheltered and mellow, favoring beginners and longboarders on small days; the middle section is the busiest and handles intermediate surfers on a variety of swell sizes; the southern end steepens considerably and produces faster, more powerful waves better suited to experienced surfers. Swell windows run south through southeast to east, with offshore winds from the north and northwest that shelter the break from the afternoon northeast winds that chop other Sydney beaches. Mid tide is typically optimal. Hazards include dangerous rip currents, scattered rocks, stinging jellyfish, and the occasional shark sighting. Bondi holds deep roots in Australian surfing culture, with the Surf Bathers' Life Saving Club established in 1907 and the first national surf titles held there in 1915. The beach produced world-class competitors including Pauline Menczer, Australia's only female world champion; Cheyne Horan, who reached world number two ranking; and Kevin Brennan, the only surfer to win both junior and open Australian titles in the same year. In 1976, Bondi surfers dominated the state championships, taking first through third place in every division. The beach continues to host major competitions including the Australian Open of Surfing. Getting to Bondi is straightforward by public transport: train to Bondi Junction followed by a ten- to fifteen-minute bus ride on routes 333 or 380 to the beach, roughly thirty to forty minutes from the city center. Parking at Queen Elizabeth Drive is the closest option but fills quickly on busy days. Wilson Parking on Campbell Parade charges from $10 per thirty minutes, capped daily. Free parking exists on Blair Street, a six to eight minute walk from the northern end, and upper Hall Street, though that involves a twelve to fifteen minute walk.

beginner · intermediate · shortboard

Bonville Beach

Coffs Harbour, Australia

Bonville Beach, also known as Bongil Beach, stretches south from Bonville Creek near Sawtell to Bundagen Headland. Its long sandy shore lies within Bongil Bongil National Park on the NSW North Coast.

Boomerang Beach

NSW, Mid North Coast, Australia

Boomerang Beach divides into two distinct breaks shaped by underwater topography: the south end features an exposed reef break with a rocky bottom offering both left and right-hand waves, while the north end is a gentler beach break yielding primarily left-handers. The south break handles waves from less than three feet to well over twelve feet and works best with southeast swell and southwest offshore winds, though the reef-bottom section requires more experience. The north break, rarely crowded and tide-independent, handles northeast swell and northwest offshore winds, making it accessible to intermediate surfers. Both sections are immune to tidal effects on wave quality, though the beach's eastern exposure and rock ledges at either end create its signature character. Boomerang Beach has emerged as a major Australian competition venue, hosting the annual Great Lakes Pro as part of the World Surf League's Qualifying Series with the event drawing international and national competitors including surfers like Yago Dora and Koa Smith. The beach also hosts the Surfing NSW Surf Masters, a five-day championship for competitors aged thirty-five and above that draws over one hundred and sixty entrants competing for state titles. While the specific date surfing began here is unclear from available sources, the beach's established hosting of elite-level competitions across multiple tiers suggests it became a recognized venue sometime in the preceding decades. Access is straightforward via Pacific Palms in the Mid North Coast region near Port Macquarie. The beach's distinctive boomerang curve, formed by headlands at each end and rock ledges creating wave-shaping features, offers shelter from prevailing winds at either flank. The primary hazard remains strong rip currents—the beach has a documented history of drowning incidents and receives lifeguard patrols only in summer months, earning a moderately hazardous rating. Sharks and bluebottles are occasional concerns, though shark incidents are exceedingly rare.

intermediate · advanced · shortboard

Boulder Beach

NSW, North, Australia

Boulder Beach forms on the Iron Peg, a rocky outcrop with a steep outside section that transitions into more moderate slopes inside. The break produces hollow sections in 3-6 foot swell, with the best barrels occurring on a rising tide—high water can make it choppy and overly full. The break benefits from southeast swell and works in southerly winds when the headland provides protection. The stone bottom throughout means numerous rocks underfoot both in the water and on entry and exit points. The takeoff is notoriously shifty, adding to the technical demands already suggested by the advanced difficulty rating. Access is via a short walk from a small car park at Iron Peg off Rocky Point Road. The break is not patrolled by lifeguards, and the rocky nature of the beach means swimming is essentially impractical outside of surfing.

beginner · intermediate · shortboard

Bournda Beach

South Coast NSW, Australia

Bournda Beach is a sand beach break on the South Coast of NSW near Tathra, with best swell arriving from the SE. The north end of the beach has a strong rip current. The beach is unpatrolled, requiring caution from surfers and swimmers.

Box Beach

NSW, Newcastle, Australia

Box Beach is a wedging beach break with a sharp takeoff over shallow sand bottom that produces steep, powerful waves in both directions, with action staying close to shore. It works best during autumn and winter when southeast swells combine with offshore west winds. The shallow bottom and wedgy character suit advanced surfers and bodyboarders willing to handle the technical demands, though the break can occasionally be crowded. Exposed rocks and strong rip currents present notable hazards, and the beach is unpatrolled. Box Beach has hosted the annual "King of the Box" surfing competition for over a decade, making it a significant venue in Australia's competitive calendar. The break's distinctive shallow wedge creates unique spectating and competition dynamics compared to reefs or point breaks. Top Australian surfers including Jackson Baker, Ryan Callinan, and Jesse Adam have competed there, and the event expanded in 2017 to include a women's division. Located between Fingal Bay and Shoal Bay within Tomaree National Park near Nelson Bay, Box Beach offers straightforward access via a designated car park with a 500-meter walk to reach the beach. The spot is also accessible via the Tomaree Coastal Walk. The location sits within a marine park habitat zone where you're likely to see dolphins and local seabirds.

beginner · intermediate · shortboard

Broadbeach

QLD, Gold Coast, Australia

Broadbeach at Kurrawa is a sandy beach break where waves peel both left and right, consistently producing rideable surf from chest to head height throughout most of the year. The break works across all stages of the tide and responds best to easterly swell pushed by westerly offshore winds. The beach closes out in larger conditions and offers a forgiving environment for varied skill levels. The Kurrawa Surf Club, established in 1958, became one of Australia's dominant competitive surf life saving organizations and hosts the annual Kurrawa Surf Carnival, an event featuring life saving competitions alongside surfing activities. The beach was an active surfing center during the 1970s, with local board makers supplying shapers during that era, though specific session records or notable surfers exclusively associated with Broadbeach are not well documented in available sources. Broadbeach sits at the center of the Gold Coast's waterfront with direct vehicle and pedestrian access via Surf Parade and Old Burleigh Road. Parking is available adjacent to Kurrawa Park and throughout the surrounding commercial precinct. The beach is patrolled by lifeguards year-round, and facilities include public restrooms, outdoor showers, picnic areas with electric BBQ, and accessible playground equipment. Rip currents and occasional rocks are present; swimmers and surfers should use the marked safe swimming zone indicated by lifeguards.

beginner · intermediate · shortboard

Broken Head

NSW, North, Australia

Broken Head is a right-hand point break that fires when east-northeast swell combines with southwesterly offshore wind. The wave breaks over sand and rock, producing hollow, fast sections with the potential for extended rides. Wave quality depends heavily on sand migration, and conditions work best on rising and falling tides. The break is most consistent during winter and spring, with April historically offering reliable swell, though summer delivers occasional quality sessions. The wave is steeper and more demanding than most Byron Bay beaches, best suited to experienced surfers, and the unpatrolled break can develop crowded lineups during good conditions. Broken Head has served as a testing ground for Northern Rivers surfers since at least the late 20th century, most notably hosting the development of several accomplished local surfers. The headland was the site of the Spirit of Surfing gathering in June 2000, a rare two-day convening of surfing elders including George Greenough, Nat Young, Dick Hoole, and Rusty Miller that brought together three decades of collective surfing experience. The Byron Bay Boardriders Club, with support from Nat Young and local conservation groups, established Surfers Code signage here to promote beach stewardship. The break sits on the southern end of Tallow Beach below a forested headland accessed via a rainforest boardwalk that preserves the surrounding Broken Head Nature Reserve. A beachfront camping area offers direct beach access. The spot's position on Cape Byron's eastern exposure means it catches swell that larger breaks miss, but this same geography and rocky bottom create strong rip currents and occasional shark presence that demand respect and local knowledge.

beginner · intermediate · shortboard

Bronte Beach

Sydney, Australia

Bronte Beach near Bondi is an intermediate beach break with sand and reef bottom that works on swells from both directions. Best conditions occur on southeast swells with westerly winds at high tide. Hazards include the Bronte Express rip current, rocks, and crowds during good swells, while the beach hosts the Bondi to Bronte Ocean Swim.

intermediate · advanced · shortboard

Brou Beach

South Coast NSW, Australia

Brou Beach runs north of Dalmeny on the NSW South Coast, between Jemisons Point and Mummuga Head. The long sandy shore has Lake Brou and Lake Mummuga behind it, with reefs in the surf zone.

Broulee Beach

South Coast NSW, Australia

Broulee Beach is a sandy beach break near the town of Broulee on South Coast NSW, featuring left-breaking waves. Conditions are best with south/southeast swells and westerly winds at low tide. Rips, sharks, and crowds are all present at this break.

beginner · intermediate · shortboard

Budgewoi Beach

Central Coast NSW, Australia

Budgewoi Beach is a sandy beach break on the Central Coast of NSW that works on both wave directions. Mid tide conditions are best for this spot, with swell arriving from SE, E, or NE directions. NW, W, and SW winds produce the most favorable conditions, though swimmers should be aware of rips, undertow, and sharks in the area.

Bulgo Beach

Royal National Park, Australia

Bulgo Beach is a narrow strip of coarse sand and gravel below the steep slopes near Otford at the southern end of Royal National Park. Rock platforms and a small rock-framed lagoon border the shore.

Bulli

NSW, Coal Coast, Australia

Bulli is a beach and reef break offering hollow, fast waves across a range of swell sizes. The main beach produces left and right-hand peaks over sand, while the northern headland features a trickier left reef break with an unpredictable right called Peggies that demands expert skill. The south end holds a solid right reef break. Northeast and southeast swells work best with northwest offshore winds, across all tide levels though mid-tide is generally preferred. Autumn months offer the most consistent conditions, particularly around March. The break accommodates beginner-to-intermediate surfers on the main beach, with challenging terrain reserved for experienced riders. The spot has roots in the local Illawarra surfing culture but remains less documented in surf history than nearby Sandon Point, which saw dedicated surfers through the mid-to-late 1970s. Bulli itself appears primarily in modern forecasting archives rather than historical records, suggesting it developed as a secondary break within a broader regional progression. Bulli Beach sits 11 kilometers north of Wollongong with straightforward access via the local cycle way and ample facilities including parking, a café, picnic grounds, and public toilets. The 900-meter sandy beach fronts dunes and parkland, making it convenient for both day trips and longer sessions. Rocks, reefs, and rips present navigational hazards, with sharks a known concern in the area.

beginner · intermediate · shortboard

Bullies

SA, York Peninsula, Australia

Bullies is a hollow, reef-driven break that stands out for its steep takeoffs and tight barrel potential, primarily serving up right-handers over an uneven reef with sharp drops. It handles swells from the southwest effectively, especially in winter months like July, and works across the tide range though favors low to mid tide for the most defined walls. The break demands respect: even moderate swells around three to four feet can produce heavy tubes and dangerous sections, with significantly larger swells capable of creating genuinely heavy conditions that have resulted in serious injuries to local surfers. Access to Bullies involves a straightforward walk from the parking area—less than five minutes—though the approach crosses railway lines to reach the beach. The break sits between Boomers and Chiton Rocks on the York Peninsula coast, about four kilometers from Victor Harbor, and the location feels relatively accessible despite requiring some navigation to reach the water. The spot has attracted a steady stream of local and visiting surfers over at least the past decade, with documented sessions from 2013 onward. The wave appears to have built a reputation primarily through word-of-mouth and local knowledge rather than major competitions or well-known sponsorship, with video documentation of significant swells during winter conditions showing the break's capacity to produce memorable and challenging days. Dangerous rips remain a consistent hazard, particularly on larger swell days.

Bunbury Point

Southwest Australia, Australia

Bunbury Point is a surf spot located near Bunbury in Southwest Australia.

Bunga Beach

South Coast NSW, Australia

Bunga Beach lies between Goalen Head and Bunga Head in Mimosa Rocks National Park on the NSW South Coast. Its sandy shore bends past rocky sections, with a creek mouth near the northern end.

advanced · shortboard

Bungan

NSW, Sydney North, Australia

Bungan is a 600-meter beach break between Bungan and Mona Vale Heads that holds waves from 1 meter up to 2.5 meters or larger. The left and right-hand peaks on a sandy bottom with scattered rock work best on low to mid tide with a falling tide movement and northeast swell combined with northwest wind. The north end near the clubhouse offers the most consistent breaks, while the southern section produces stronger right-hand barrels. It can get busy, and hazards include strong rips (particularly at the ends and several shifting mid-beach channels), exposed rock formations, and an active local crew. Bungan's history as a surf destination dates to 1953, when a group of local surfers established a life-saving club on April 7 despite the beach's challenging conditions and dangerous reputation. Early infrastructure consisted of a makeshift tin-roofed structure; by 1954 members dismantled and relocated a surplus military Nissan hut down the coastal path to serve as a proper clubhouse. The club organized restricted carnivals in 1957, 1958, and 1960, establishing Bungan as an organized surf community relatively early in Sydney's modern surfing era. Bungan remains isolated from standard beach infrastructure: the only access is via two steep walking tracks descending the cliff face at the center and northern ends, with no vehicular road or parking lot immediately at the beach itself. Parking is available at nearby Bungan Lane and the Mona Vale area. The beach is unpatrolled by lifeguards, making it a destination primarily for experienced swimmers and surfers aware of the significant rip hazards.

beginner · intermediate · shortboard

Burgess Beach

Mid North Coast, Australia

Burgess Beach is an advanced beach break on Australia's Mid North Coast near Forster, with a combination bottom. The beach is unpatrolled and has no lifeguard services.

Burleigh heads

QLD, Gold Coast, Australia

Burleigh Heads is a right-hand point break that fires with southeast swell and offshore southwest wind, producing fast, well-formed waves across all tide stages. Winter provides the most consistent conditions, with June typically offering the best windows. The break works well for experienced surfers though it demands precision timing and local knowledge to navigate the point's fast-moving walls. The point break remained unridden until 1958 when Brisbane surfers Hugh and John McMaster first paddled out. The first recorded event, the Burleigh Festival of Boards, occurred in 1965, the same year the Burleigh Heads Boardriders Club formed. The Stubbies Pro, which launched here in 1977, fundamentally changed competitive surfing by introducing the man-on-man heat format—a single innovation that shaped how the sport organizes contests to this day. The venue has since hosted numerous elite competitions, including the Breaka Burleigh Pro (annually since 2010) and the World Surf League's Gold Coast Open, cementing its status as a place that produces serious competitors. The point break sits along the Burleigh Headland with access via the national park, though the boulder fields themselves are off-limits. Parking is limited near the Goodwin Terrace entrance, so early arrival is essential on weekends. The Esplanade offers free three-hour parking between First and Kelly avenues, and Justins Park Carpark is free. Street parking elsewhere costs $2 per hour with restrictions typically between 8am and 6pm on weekdays.

intermediate · advanced · shortboard

Burleigh Heads

Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

Burleigh Heads is a right-hand point break divided into four distinct sections that produce markedly different wave characteristics. Sharkies, the first section, breaks thick and hollow across the front of the bluff, often closing out rapidly. The Cove offers barelling peaks that run about 80 yards before transitioning to the Point, where longer walls form 5 to 10-second spinning tubes under favorable conditions. Rockbreak, the innermost section, is a shorter, steeper wave that works best at high tide over basalt boulders, favored on small-swell days when the main Point is capping rather than funneling. On ideal southeast swell with southwest wind and proper sand configuration, these sections can link into a continuous high-speed barrel run. Burleigh Heads became instrumental in shaping professional surfing's competitive structure. The Stubbies Open Surf Classic, first held in March 1977, was the inaugural pro tour event to introduce the man-on-man contest format that became universal in competitive surfing. Michael Peterson won that opening event against Mark Richards in the final. The Stubbies ran annually at Burleigh Heads through the 1980s, providing the stage for multiple world champions including Wayne Bartholomew and Mark Richards to establish their legacies. Access is straightforward from the Gold Coast town of Burleigh Heads, with over 430 free parking spaces available along the beachfront between First and Kelly avenues (with a three-hour maximum), plus free parking at Justins Park Carpark. The break works across all tides and remains consistently crowded, particularly when a southeast swell combines with offshore southwest winds during the winter months.

Burrill Beach

South Coast NSW, Australia

Burrill Beach is a sand beach break located on the South Coast of New South Wales near Ulladulla. The beach is unpatrolled with hazards including rip currents and rock headland channel rips.

Butterbox

NSW, Sydney North, Australia

Butterbox is a fickle left-hand reef break on the southern side of Long Reef headland, requiring all elements—south-southeast swell, westerly wind, and mid-rising tide—to work properly. When conditions align, it produces long, sustained left-handers that can run across the reef. The break is intermediate to advanced, rarely crowded, and best during winter, particularly in July. No publicly documented surfing history, notable sessions, or competitions are associated with the break. Forum discussions indicate it has been surfed as a local spot since at least the mid-2000s. Access is from the Long Reef Surf Life Saving Club area near Collaroy, with parking and facilities available at the club.

intermediate · advanced · shortboard

Byron Bay

New South Wales, Australia

Byron Bay's most famous break, The Pass, produces consistent right-hand waves peeling across its reef structure, working best with northeast to east-southeast swell in the 3-10 foot range at low to mid tide under south-southwesterly winds. Broken Head, a short drive south, offers faster and more powerful hollow right-handers suited to experienced surfers with fewer crowds than The Pass. Beginners have gentler options at Main Beach and Clarkes Beach, where the seabed slopes gradually to create more forgiving wave shape. Byron Bay became a significant surfing destination in the 1960s and 70s, playing a key role in the late-1960s shortboard revolution. The area has attracted notable surfers across decades, including Nat Young and Bob McTavish in the early era, later followed by Mark Occhilupo, Tom Carroll, and Steph Gilmore. The Byron Bay Surf Festival, established in 2010, evolved into a major annual cultural event hosting competitions and attracting participants from across Australia and internationally, while the Byron Bay Malibu Classic represents another established local competition. Byron Bay sits on the New South Wales north coast roughly three hours south of Brisbane. Gold Coast Airport, about an hour's drive away, offers the most convenient air access, though Ballina Byron Gateway Airport provides direct flights from Sydney, Melbourne, and Newcastle. The town lies on the main coastal highway approximately nine hours south of Sydney, with The Pass located within the town center and more secluded breaks accessible by short drives.

Cabarita

NSW, North, Australia

Cabarita is a right-hand point break that wraps around Norries Headland, with Southeast groundswells providing the most consistent swell. The wave is best during winter in mid-tide conditions with westerly winds holding up the face. The break is noted for its reliability and usually maintains rideable surf, though it becomes crowded when conditions align. Hazards include rips, exposed rocks, shark presence, and a notably protective local surfing community. The spot has been on the surfing radar since the early 1960s when it was discovered by travelling surfers seeking consistent waves on the northern coast. The Cabarita Beach Boardriders Club was formally established in 1992 after an earlier attempt in the mid-1980s, and a separate longboarders club followed in 1995. The area's reputation grew through grassroots participation in local competitions and by association with prominent Australian surfers who have served as National Surfing Reserve Ambassadors, among them Mick Fanning, Kelly Slater, and Joel Parkinson. Access from nearby Kingscliff is straightforward, with the break sitting approximately 20 kilometres south of Gold Coast Airport. The Tweed Coast Pro, a World Surf League qualifying event, has been held at Cabarita since at least 2020, drawing competitors from across the country. The reserve comprises multiple breaks—the Point and Back Beach being most popular—offering alternatives for different tides and swell angles.

beginner · intermediate · shortboard

Cabins Beach

Sandon - Woolgoolga, Australia

Cabins Beach near Woolgoolga is a sandy beach break with the nearest town being Mullaway. The beach is unpatrolled and has no lifeguard presence.

Cable Station Reef

Perth, Australia

Cable Station Reef is a reef break near Mosman Park, Perth, that works on both wave directions with NW swell producing the best conditions. Easterly winds are ideal for this break. The spot presents hazards including rips, sharks, and crowds.

Cactus

SA, Nullarbor, Australia

Cactus features three distinct reef breaks—two powerful left-handers called Castles and Cactus, plus Caves, a hollow right-hander that curves back on itself. The breaks respond best to southwest swell combined with east-northeast winds, performing well across tide ranges though mid-tide is preferred. Waves here are suited to experienced surfers only, delivering head-high to triple-overhead barrels over shallow reef with sharp sections that demand precision and speed. The main hazards are the sharp reef itself, rocks lining the shore, great white sharks (which have taken swimmers in the past), and the sheer remoteness of the location. Cactus achieved legendary status in Australian surfing culture by the late 1960s, reaching the same tier as Noosa Heads and Byron Bay in the country's surf mythology. The appeal lay partly in the commitment required—the long road trip through the Nullarbor and the landscape itself became part of the pilgrimage. A tragic incident in September 2000 highlighted the shark risk when a visiting surfer was fatally attacked by a great white while paddling out on the main left. Access is straightforward once in the area: 21 kilometres south of Penong on a well-signposted turnoff on the Eyre Peninsula's far western edge. The break sits on private land where the owner permits camping in a natural campground, providing basic facilities (toilets, bore-water showers, nightly firewood). The isolation that once made reaching Cactus an adventure remains part of its character, though the improved road access means it is no longer truly hidden—just remote enough to feel distinct.

intermediate · advanced · shortboard

Callala

NSW, South Coast, Australia

Camel Rock

NSW, Far South, Australia

Camel Rock is a sandy beach break with a persistent sandbar that produces long left-hand waves running fast across a rock and sand bottom. With the right swell and wind combination, particularly northeast to southeast swells paired with offshore westerly winds, the waves can get quite hollow and sections can peel quickly over 100 metres. Low tide is the best time to paddle out, and the break is surfable at all stages but most consistent during autumn and winter swells. There is no publicly available information on the surf history, notable sessions, competitions, or surfers associated with this break. A local surf school operates from the beach, but no historical record of when the spot first became popular or any specific surf events. The beach access is straightforward, with parking and a viewing platform at the northern end of Wallaga Lake Road. Rocks present a hazard in and around the lineup, and the spot borders open ocean without much shelter except from northeasterly winds. Sharks have been reported in the area.

beginner · intermediate · shortboard

Cape Conran

East Gippsland, Australia

Cape Conran is a reef break located near Marlo in East Gippsland. This left-hand reef break responds best to southeast swell and northeast wind.

Cape Paterson

Eastern Victoria, Australia

Cape Paterson is a reef break in Eastern Victoria near Wonthaggi, Australia. The spot works on both wave directions with southwest swell and northeast winds optimal. Watch for rocks, reefs, rips, sharks, shore break at low tide, and crowds when surf is up.

intermediate · advanced · shortboard

Castaways Beach

QLD, Sunshine Coast, Australia

Castaways Beach is a beach break on the Noosa stretch with waves peeling in both directions and a reputation for consistency even in moderate swells. Southeast swell provides the most reliable groundswell, enhanced by offshore west-northwest wind; the beach works across all tides. At smaller sizes the break can accommodate beginners, while maintaining appeal for intermediate surfers seeking mellow, uncrowded waves. Winter, particularly June, delivers the most predictable conditions. The beach has hosted longboard competitions organized by the Noosa Malibu Club as part of the regional Festival of Surfing calendar, though it remains primarily a local's break rather than a competition hub. Beyond this, public records of notable sessions or surfers specifically associated with Castaways do not appear readily available. Castaways sits between Sunrise and Peregian beaches with straightforward road access off David Low Way. A recently upgraded carpark provides facilities including toilets, showers, water fountains, and benches. The beach is unpatrolled by lifeguards. Rips and undertow remain hazards; while low crowd levels make it accessible, this also means fewer eyes in the water during unfavorable conditions.

Cat Bay

VIC, Melbourne East, Phillip Island, Australia

Cat Bay features a sheltered reef break split into two main areas: Shelley Beach, a flat reef bottom with gentle left and right peaks ideal for beginners (waves rarely exceed one metre at high tide), and Right Point, a more challenging nearby option. Waves average around one metre in small swells but can reach two metres when summer southeast winds accompany larger south to southwest swell; the break works best on incoming or mid-tide. Swimmers should only enter during high tide when waves are low. The area harbors rocks and sharks, and the local crew at Cat Bay is known for its territorial attitude toward visiting surfers. Phillip Island's surfing heritage extends back to the 1920s, and the island became a National Surfing Reserve in 2013 with Cat Bay designated as one of four protected sites. The Phillip Island Boardriders Club has hosted the annual Cat Bay Classic longboard competition since 2022, regularly attracting around 50 competitors across open and master divisions. The break also hosted Round 1 of the 2023 Victorian Longboard Titles. During the 1960s and 70s, Western Australian surfers made the long journey across the Nullarbor to paddle Cat Bay and other island breaks. Cat Bay sits on Phillip Island's northwest coast near Ventnor and has a sealed car park with facilities available at the nearby Summerland Beach area. Access involves a steep descent from the parking area to the golden sand beach.

intermediate · advanced · shortboard

Cathedral Rock

Surf Coast, Australia

intermediate · advanced · shortboard

Catherine Hill Bay

NSW, Central, Australia

Catherine Hill Bay is a beach break offering both left and right-hand waves across all tidal stages, with consistent winter swells from the southeast and ideal offshore winds from the northwest. The break is fairly exposed and popular, sometimes drawing crowds. Located in the historic coal-mining village of Catherine Hill Bay near Swansea, the beach is patrolled and has an active local surf club. Sharks are present in the area.

beginner · intermediate · shortboard

Cave Beach

NSW, South Coast, Australia

Cave Beach is a right-hand point break on the outer edge of Booderee National Park at Jervis Bay, more exposed to ocean swell than the protected inner-bay beaches. The break produces soft rolling waves over sand and rock, making it consistently approachable for learners; it's strongest with south to southeast swell and northeast wind, with best conditions typically during winter months. Watch for rocks along the point, rip currents in the bay, and significant tide changes that affect both wave shape and cave access. Access requires a 300-metre walk-in from the car park through Booderee National Park; this is tent camping only with cold showers, fresh water, and basic facilities. The spot draws both surfers and families, and sits in an area frequented by local wildlife including kangaroos and snakes.

beginner · intermediate · shortboard

Caves Beach

Newcastle NSW, Australia

Caves Beach is a beginner-friendly beach break near Swansea featuring a sand bottom and swell from both directions. It performs best with westerly winds and easterly-southeasterly swell. Watch for rocks and localism.

beginner · intermediate · shortboard

Cellitos Beach

Mid North Coast, Australia

Cellitos Beach is a sandy beach break near Forster on the Mid North Coast of Australia. It handles swell from the northeast with best winds from the northwest, working on both left and right-hand waves. The beach is unpatrolled and features rip currents and shark activity, requiring local knowledge and caution.

beginner · intermediate · shortboard

Childers Cove

VIC, Western Victoria, Australia

Childers Cove is a consistent reef break near Warrnambool that works across all tidal stages, performing best with offshore northeast winds and southwest groundswell. Summer typically sees flat conditions, with the most rideable windows occurring during autumn, particularly June. The break sits as an exposed reef in a bay framed by limestone cliffs, holding together through distant Southern Ocean groundswells arriving from the southwest. The spot has been surfed by intrepid locals over decades as part of the Far West Victoria lineup, though detailed records of formal competitions or named surfers are scarce in available sources. Access to the break is complicated by unstable cliffs flanking the cove, with official walkway access having been closed due to geotechnical concerns related to erosion and shifting sands.

intermediate · advanced · shortboard

Chiton Rocks

SA, York Peninsula, Australia

Chiton Rocks is a reef and rock break with a mixed sandy-rocky bottom that produces both left and right-hand waves. It works best when mid-to-high tide is rising, responds to south and southeast swells, and favors northerly offshore winds. The break can generate short, punchy waves with occasional barrels in clean conditions, though it becomes choppy and difficult when winds turn onshore. It is suitable primarily for experienced surfers, with waves ranging from less than a meter on small days to over two and a half meters at peak. Hazards include rips, undertow, and the rocky composition of the break itself. The spot has been surfed since at least the mid-1950s, around the time surfing reached South Australia following international demonstrations at the 1956 Olympics. Chiton Rocks Surf Lifesaving Club was formally established in 1957 after it became clear the local area needed dedicated patrols to prevent drownings. In that era, a group of early South Australian surfers known as the South Coast Surf Chasers—including Peter Smith, Rolly Dalziel, Bill Aitken, and Jim Miller—explored the reefs and points along the peninsula in their modified 1934 Ford V8, carrying homemade roof racks loaded with boards as they traveled between breaks from Goolwa to the Eyre Peninsula. The break is located at Hayborough on the Fleurieu Peninsula, approximately 80 kilometers south of Adelaide and near Victor Harbor. Access is via a roughly 300-meter walk from the parking area adjacent to the Chiton Rocks Surf Lifesaving Club on Hindmarsh Esplanade. The club maintains year-round facilities and provides seasonal patrols during the Australian summer months.

Christies Beach

Midcoast, Australia

Christies Beach is a reef break near Adelaide with waves working in both directions. Best conditions occur on mid-high tides with easterly winds and southwesterly swell. The reef and rock bottom creates hazards including rips, sharks, shallow rocks, and crowds.

City Beach

Wollongong - Shoalhaven, Australia

City Beach is a sand-bottom beach break near Wollongong that accommodates waves from multiple directions. Best conditions occur with northeast swell and northwest wind across all tidal phases. Watch for shark presence and heavy crowds at this popular break.

intermediate · advanced · shortboard

Clarks Beach

Northern NSW, Australia

Clarks Beach near Byron Bay is a beginner-friendly beach break with a sandy bottom. Best conditions occur at high tide with northeast swell and southwest winds; watch for shallow sandbars and dumping waves at low tide, and expect crowds during holidays and weekends.

Clifton Beach

TAS, Hobart, Australia

Clifton Beach is a beach break offering both left and right-hand waves, with a fairly exposed sandbank that produces consistent groundswell-driven peaks more often than wind-generated swell. South swell combined with north wind (offshore) provides optimal conditions, with low to mid-high tide generally favorable. Wave quality peaks during autumn. The beach faces significant hazard from a rip current that runs approximately every 200 meters during high-energy periods, with permanent rip zones anchored to rocky outcrops on both ends of the beach. Clifton is bordered by 54-meter cliffs on the eastern end and 50-meter rocky bluffs on the west, creating channels that funnel currents toward the rocks and making this one of Tasmania's more demanding beach breaks. Clifton Beach Surf Life Saving Club was established in 1963 and hosted three Australian Championship Carnivals (1969, 1976, 1983) that drew large crowds to watch lifesaving boat races and featured notable competitors including Olympians Ken Vidler and Grant Kenny. The beach remains Tasmania's most active competition venue for junior and amateur surfers, hosting regional championships and groms competitions in recent years. The beach sits approximately 25 kilometers southeast of Hobart's central business district, roughly a 30-minute drive from the city center on the South Arm Peninsula. A 2.1-kilometer stretch of sand provides access to the break, with volunteer lifesaving patrols during summer weekends and public holidays.

Cloudy Bay

Tasmania, Australia

Cloudy Bay is a beach break with a sandy bottom located near Lunawanna on Tasmania's Bruny Island. The break works best with northerly winds and southerly swell, with waves coming from both directions. Watch for rips and sharks in the water; the spot is known for hosting the Bruny Island Surf Classic.

Clovelly Reef

Sydney, Australia

Clovelly Reef is an advanced reef break near the town of Clovelly in Sydney, offering both left and right waves on ENE swells with westerly winds. The shallow reef and exposed rocks demand experience, with additional hazards including strong rips, cliffs where surfers can get trapped inside, and crowds.

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