We all know that since Covid hit, you can’t help notice the crowds in the surf have noticeably increased. Less people working, Jobkeeper payments allowing many to purchase new equipment, extra time on hand, closed international borders and various other reasons seem to have boosted numbers in the water.

The collection of more surfboards and bodies bobbing around the water often force you to often abandon your wave before a collision occurs. Indeed, it is difficult to have a relaxing and enjoyable surfing experience when you are constantly fighting grommets and families for that perfect wave on the crowded breaks of Australia’s city beaches.

If you are tired of the increased numbers in the surf, then you may need to seek out a more secluded surfing hotspot and Australia’s eastern seaboard has plenty of them.

From islands to national parks, there are a number of places on Australia’s vast coastline that will allow you to surf uninterrupted. However, most secluded beaches are well off the beaten track, which means you may have to set up a camp to hang out in your down time.

surfing in Australia 2021

There are little setups everywhere off the beaten track.

Before leaving for a remote spot, make sure you are prepared. For starters, it’s a good idea not to surf alone at a secluded beach, so take a friend or family member along. In terms of supplies, pack some warm clothes and anything you might need to make repairs to your vehicle or surf board, and any general spare gear (for example leg ropes, wax and a ding repair kit). A GPS is an essential piece of equipment to help you navigate to that secluded surf break, while a phone to help you stay in touch with weather warnings and allow you to call for help should you need too.

Of course, you can pack your boards and gear into your car but often hiring a campervan is a good idea for an extended surfing holiday. Campervans are relatively affordable and have plenty of room to stow your surfboard and all your gear. Check out a self drive Campervan or 4WD with everything from budget vans to fully equipped family sized motorhomes

That said, once you have all your gear packed and ready to go, you need to decide on your location. Here are five top locations known to have quality breaks and crowd-free surfing conditions.

Caves Beach, Booderee National Park, ACT

Listed as one of the best secluded beach camping areas in Australia by Australian Geographic, Caves Beach is located less than three hours’ drive south of Sydney and is surrounded by pristine wilderness. Located in Booderee National Park (owned by the Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community) in the ACT, Caves Beach is the perfect spot for beginners and camping sites cost from $11 to $67 a night. You can drive north to the relatively uncrowded beaches and reefs not far from Currarong and Culburra from your Caves base in Sth winds if the swell is from the E or NE, or alternatively not far from your camp site lies the infamous Aussie Pipe or Black Rock. These options near Caves like a Sth swell NE wind combo.

There are also a bunch of less crowded options we won’t mention here that if you have the time and inclination to go for a drive and or hike you will find some beautiful, secluded and usually uncrowded options. The region can be a little sharky though, so always keep an eye out and be sensible. Be sure to check out the beautiful, infamous white sands of Jervis Bay too, which by the way is home to some incredible novelty spots when the swell gets big.

surfing in Australia 2021

Nice beachy.

Nth Stradbroke Island, QLD

One of the most picturesque spots in sun-kissed Queensland, Nth Stradbroke Island has many camping grounds, and even a couple of hotels. There’s some great protection from the NE wind at Point Lookout – which is actually a patrolled beach, but as soon as you head south down the beach you will score empty peaks to yourself. Cylinders is also a pretty special right point when the swell is solid from the E or NE and the south wind blows. Plenty of quiet setups elsewhere, but keep an eye out for sharks.

75-Mile Beach, Fraser Island, QLD

75-Mile Beach is situated on World Heritage-listed Fraser Island. The massive beach – one of the longest known beaches in the world – will have you feeling like you’re the only one taking advantage of its beauty and location. You will need a 4WD to get here and 75-Mile Beach receives plenty of swell and is suitable for most surfing levels. Visitors can camp along the beach and costs start at under $6 per night. Keep in mind that these are some of the sharkiest waters on the East Coast and you will probabaly be the biggest piece of bait bobbing in the lineup – easy to understand why there are so few surfers in he water on Fraser Island

Yuraygir National Park, Northern NSW

While many surfers have already discovered the great breaks of Angourie, Spooky’s and Turners near Yamba, the Yuraygir National Park just to the south of Angourie between Yamba and Woolgoolga, provides a number of untouched surf breaks providing uncrowded left-handers and right-handers as well as a scenic lookout and great swimming. The regions super laid-back charm and uncrowded atmosphere is hard to beat. Tread lightly and respect the local surfers and of course the environment.

This very well-known setup is just north of Yuraygir.

Seal Rocks and Myall Coast, NSW

The coast around Seal Rocks and surrounding by the Myall Lakes National Park gets plenty of swell and has great variety of line-ups, Treachery Beach is an unspoiled surfers’ haven that is known for its excellent beach breaks. Far from treacherous, the beach is an isolated yet pristine spot that offers white sandy beaches with barely a person in sight for as far as the eye can see. Gets all the available south swell and offshore when winds are out of the north quadrant. Other beaches nearby provide options in almost any winds including great protection from the Southerly at Seal Rocks. The area is also popular with those who like to fish and its common to see the full range of of ocean life from whales, dolphins, sharks, seals and the large schools of fish they are chasing. The area is often visited by Sydney and Newcastle based surfers who want to get away from the crowds and surf in peace. Camping sites are found at Seal Rocks and Treachery campgrounds – costs begin from $14 per person, per night.

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Perfect Wave

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