The Best Places to Surf in Queensland

Queensland is the birthplace of many surfers who have gone on to become world champions. Paul Neilsen and Peter Drouyn are just a few. Queensland has some of the best surfing in Australia and the world. Any serious surfer will want to include these spots on their bucket list.

There are many spots along the coast to surf, but if you want the best, this is where to surf in Queensland.

Snapper Rocks

The Superbank is a right-hand pointbreak that starts on the Southern Gold Coast. It’s called and it attracts shredders, grommets, and a lot of people. The Corona Open Gold Coast is a world championship event (formerly Quiksilver & Roxy Pro). If you can paddle into a set wave, you will get jelly legs on rides of up to several hundred metres.

Snapper Rocks is best suited to E-SE swells, and it’s relatively clean when the predominant wind direction is southerly. Snapper Rocks is at its best in the autumn and winter but there are never bad days to surf. The waves are consistent at all tides, with lower tides offering better barreling potential. Prepare yourself for a long run up the coast or a paddle against the current in a larger southerly swell.

Snapper Rocks offers you the chance to surf with stars. Snapper is the favourite surfing spot of locals Joel Parkinson, Mick Fanning, and Stephanie Gilmore.

This unrivalled break is also the site of the annual Quicksilver Pro and Roxy Pro. This international surf competition, part of the ASP World Tour showcases pro surfers around the world.

Snapper Rocks lies on the north side between Coolangatta Tweed Heads and Point Danger.

Kirra

Kirra is a legend. It has even been called the best right-hand point break in the entire world. If you keep up the speed, you can get some of the best barrels in your life.

In cyclone seasons, even E or NE swells will make you happy (if the sand conditions are right). On a good day, you can expect to share the wave with up to 100 of your closest friends.

Local tip: After a long day in the ocean, you may find it difficult to stand. You can rest at Kirra Surf Aparments  located just a few minutes away. Or, refuel yourself at Baskk at Kirra Point, a popular local restaurant at the southern end of the beach.

Burleigh Heads

You can also head to Burleigh Heads if you still want more leg-burning waves. You’ll also find a right-hand sand-bottom point break here. You’ll jump from the basalt-rock-strewn cliff to the barrels.

Burleigh is best in big S-swells and offshore during winter SW winds. It does, however, offer excellent protection against the SSE trade winds.

After the sun has set, you can enjoy a locally-brewed beer at Burleigh Brewing Company. Here’s how to spend 48 Hours in Burleigh Heads if you’re staying nearby.

Check out the Gold Coast surf spots for more information on where to surf.

Mark Occhilupo, the surfing legend, used to live in this Gold Coast beach break that hosts the Billabong Pro.

Kirra produced what surfers called ‘the perfect waves’ back then. Kirra has become a popular spot for those who want to watch the sport of tow-in surf in large swells.

Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island)

Take the ferry to North Stradbroke Island.

Main Beach is the best surf spot on the island. It’s located next to the headland, below the Point Lookout clubhouse. Beach breaks are found to the south of the island along 33km of sand. It is a sand-island, so it avoids the turbidity issues associated with heavy rainfall events. Expect crystal clear water for most of the time.

Main Beach’s beach breaks are highly dependent on the sand condition. However, due to the fact that it is more exposed, the wave heights tend to be higher than those on the mainland. Best for S-swell events, and offshore with SW winds.

This island is perfect for a relaxing getaway, with camping and a surfing school. Here’s a guide to seeing the best of the island within 48 hours.

Consider booking in Allure Stradbroke Hotel if you want a modern beach shack feel.

Mulgumpin (Moreton Island)

Pack your 4WD and drive to Moreton Island for a completely off-grid surfing experience. The island’s sandy tracks are a great way to explore and find waves.

Waves are abundant on the east coast. However, the wind can be a problem. There are a few places offshore that offer protection from SE/NE winds in SW wind conditions.

Boulders, a local secret that is hard to find but worth the effort, is an amazing place. About 120 metres from the Cape Moreton Lighthouse, take the rough track that leads to the beach.

For those days when the weather is flat, you can pitch your tent in one of many campgrounds.

Kings Beach

It’s not likely to produce a world champion anytime soon but it is the best place on the Sunshine Coast for hiding from the NE sea wind in summer.

Surfers tend to be restricted to the southern part of the beach where there is a good bank with some closeout air sections. Bodyboarders can enjoy the fast, shallow left that breaks over the rocks south of the Groyne.

Caloundra Bar, just a little further south and in the right conditions can produce waves that are viral in a matter of seconds. This spot is not always consistent, but it’s worth keeping an eye out for when a large NE swell wraps down the coast.

The Caloundra Costal Walk connects these three locations and provides a great vantage for an early morning surf test and a warming-up walk.

Coolum Beach

Coolum Beach was the training ground of World Surf League competitor Julian Wilson. It’s located about half way between Noosa and Caloundra, so it is more exposed to the swells, especially more southerly ones that are blocked farther down around Maroochydore.

A small headland offers a sheltered corner for those u>a href=”https://www.queensland.com/things-to-do/tours/p-56b262c02cbcbe7073add24e” title=”Coolum Surf School Sunshine Coast”>learning to surf/a>/u> while the foreshore skatepark allows you to practice your grab rail airs. The small headland provides a safe place for surfers to learn , while the skatepark on the foreshore is a great place to practice grab rail airs.

You won’t be able to resist the barrels of Stumers Creek when the conditions are just right.

Mount Coolum offers panoramic views over the coastline and hinterland.

Anyone for a sushi roll? Not hungry? This sushi roll features a pro surfer Julian Wilson, a surfboard, and a swell of considerable size.

The sushi roll is Julian’s most famous surfing manoeuvre. It was perfected at Coolum Beach, his home break.

Coolum Beach is located at the northernmost end of the Sunshine Coast. It offers both left and right-handers, and shelter from the southerly winds. Coolum Beach offers waves for all levels of surfers.

Noosa

Noosa Head, like the famous points of the Gold Coast is world-famous. You can expect to see skilled surfers hanging 10 on the smaller days. You won’t feel like you are out of place riding vintage twin fins, replicas single fins or your high-performance thruster.

Noosa National Park has multiple points, and as you walk further away from the park the less people there are. These spots are the best when there are southerly winds that are circling around the headland, and they are protected from SE wind. You can still catch some waves with a NE swell, as long as there is a light wind.

You can visit Noosa during the Noosa Festival Surfing if you simply cannot get enough of its surf vibe. Hastings Street is a great place to grab a bite.

If you’re more of a ‘hang 10’ type then Noosa will be your ideal scene. This popular beach, which is home to six-time Australian Longboard Champion, Josh Constable delivers a clean, small swell and is protected from the wind.

Noosa’s a great spot for first-time surfers to try out the sport. For the more experienced, show off your Malibu maneuvers at the Noosa Festival of Surfing.

Double Island Point

After a cameo in Endless Summer 2, Double Island Point became a popular destination for Sunshine Coast surfers. To explore the area, you’ll need to use a 4WD. You can leave from Rainbow Beach and Noosa north shore. Be prepared to start early if you want to be able time your trip for the tides.

A wedge-shaped beach break is located to the south of the Headland. If the sand conditions are right, the peeling right will be long and well-defined to the north. Both sides of the headland offer great waves. Adjust your destination based on current conditions.

If you want to camp on the beach, there are designated areas. Or if amenities are more your style, consider the Rainbow Beach Holiday Park 

Agnes Waters

The towns of 1770, and Agnes Water are located in the Gladstone area. They offer fun, but unreliable waves. These waves may not have the same power or structure as those on the Gold Coast but they can still whet the appetite for surfing.

It’s best to have a light wind and a NE wave, but it is offshore with a south-westerly. A rocky headland is replaced by a wave with a sand-bottom.

The waves in the Coral Sea are boosted during the wet season as low pressure systems develop. What’s another great reason to surf in Agnes Waters. The water is always warm.

When the weather is flat, take a trip with Liquid Adventures and explore this area in a kayak.

Great Barrier Reef

Wurtulla Beach, Sunshine Coast

Wurtulla Beach, semi-hidden between Caloundra & Mooloolaba on the coast, has been a favorite of professional surfers for many years. Mitch Coleborn, a local pro surfer is often spotted taking advantage of the large break.

It is best to leave the waves at Wurtulla, a beach that’s exposed. You can also choose to watch from the sidelines.