How expensive is Australia for traveling surfers?

SteveT

Phil Edwards status
Apr 11, 2005
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We were there for 3 weeks back in '16 around the same time (early July), did a road trip to Port Douglas north of Cairns from Sydney.
The Dollar is supposed to be approx 25% stronger but everything seemed to be marked up and it seemed to just be a wash
June is their winter there, it was a bit cold and VERY windy in NSW, Sydney was downright cold and it rained 2 of the 3 days we stayed there, it didn't start warming up until the Gold Coast but was still windy, I didn't see much more than wind swell in the surf areas.
Still, OZ is a magical place, we absolutely loved it there, I'm sure you will too.
I haven't seen Zander (from OZ) around here in a while, maybe he'll chime-in.
 

freeride76

Michael Peterson status
Dec 31, 2009
3,336
4,143
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Lennox Head.
not that expensive if you buy food and cook it.

eating out is super expensive.

high likelihood of good/great surf that time of year.

further north you go the warmer and more groomed the surf gets..........not that hard to find your own sweet spot.
 

PPK96754

Miki Dora status
Apr 15, 2015
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Kauai's north shore ~
There may be nothing left of NSW if all the present FIRES continue. The Aussies are getting mowed down by multiple fires everywhere. Very sad to see from assorted news services. Rent a travel van, buy your grub and cook on the go.
 
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Mr J

Michael Peterson status
Aug 18, 2003
2,250
1,454
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Regional Vic, Australia
dunno about NSW Casa, but very good time of the year for Vicco west of Melbourne. If you just want a high probability of good solid waves on a budget bring a 4mm wettie, booties and hood, a few surfboards that includes a step up, a very warm sleeping bag and spend your entire time in a campsite within striking distance of Bells and Winki.

If you want to take in some winter scenery and coastal site seeing plus some surfing on your own or with few surfers, you could start in the more congested Torquay (town near Bells) and work your way to Warrnambool and back. If a tent sounds a bit rough you could upgrade to camper van (plenty of hire companies) or rent cabins in caravan parks.

July is about the coldest time of year and expect air temp that can be down to a few degrees first thing in the morning and rain at times. Weather/wind variable - could get days of south westerly winds - which will blow out Bells, but probability of NW winds (perfect) high at that time of the year. It depends on what weather system is passing over.
 
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racer1

Tom Curren status
Apr 16, 2014
12,920
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Honolulu, Hawaii
Stayed 30 steps from greenmount last spring at $60 a night for a two bedroom townhouse. Ate $3 frozen pizzas and $1 avocados all day. Surfed 4 times a day for 5 days. Beer is expensive. Ate a few dinners out at the surf clubs that was reasonable.
 

freeride76

Michael Peterson status
Dec 31, 2009
3,336
4,143
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Lennox Head.
yeah, that was a good campaign and a good time of year to do it.

despite the crowds, still a worthwhile surf trip.

you got Kirra, right?
 

ULUSURFER

Gerry Lopez status
Jan 2, 2007
1,199
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Australia
Visit site
I’d say it’s a cheap place by western standards. Alcohol is pricey but if you’re coming from America the exchange rate makes it cheap.

Gold Coast and byron have a very low likelihood of surf at the time of year due to the shadowing of the south swell.

The Lennox, Byron, yamba, angourie region basically always has waves in the winter time and it’s not too cold. Crowds are there along with sharks. From what I hear it’s a good time in the west and in south coast nsw and Vic
 

Tomay

OTF status
Feb 2, 2010
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Just go shop at Aldi and make your own meals and you can get by super cheap. Camping is also a cheap option, especially in winter but these days it’s pretty popular so sometimes you can find backpackers and hostels for similar prices.

Great time of year around Sydney and the south coast, but maybe slightly better up North. With a bit of luck you can expect some big south swells and hope to find a spot out of the wind. You’ll need a 3/2 in NSW and 4/3 in Vicco.
 

Tomay

OTF status
Feb 2, 2010
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Depends on where you are. There great thing about our coastline is that there's nooks and crannies that face in different directions. If you explore you'll score.
 
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freeride76

Michael Peterson status
Dec 31, 2009
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Lennox Head.
synoptic wind is offshore W through SW in winter, tending S'ly.

Offshore at most places.

pre-frontal NW to N winds fire up certain reefs and back beaches.
 

LifeOnMars

Michael Peterson status
Jan 14, 2020
3,164
2,106
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Would be 3 weeks in likely the NSW/Victoria area in June or July...renting a car and budget accommodation.
Did 3 weeks end of May - mid June a few years back. Landed in SYD drove up to the Goldy, missed an "all time" swell by a day, still some fun waves around for a few days. Cruised back down the coast checking out Byron, Newy, Sydney, Wollongong etc. Headed towards Vic to surf Bells and Winki, some very nice days over there, a bit crowded but manageable. Spent a bunch of time in Melbourne as well. Drove back to Syndey and flew to ZA for a few weeks. Overall a decent trip, was pissing rain along much of the EC and the surf wasn't pumping non stop either. Rented a large SUV and slept in the back for most of the trip, threw a few mattress pads in the back, nice and comfy, a bit cold but it hardens you up. Not too bad price wise, renting a small vehicle and budget accommodation should be doable for a cheapskate.