Surfing Waves

I'm gonna come and "study" next year for six months in Australia. I've tried surfing once in Costa Rica and immediately fell in love with it. My options to live in Australia are Newcastle, Melbourne and Griffith. I'd like to hear which place is the best for learning to surf and improving in it? Of course as a poor student I won't be having a car, so easy acces to the beach is a big factor for me.

Also comments about nightlife/people/anything in already mentioned places are wanted, but surfing is the main reason why I chose Australia, so please help me out!

Thanks you for everybody, who will answer me!

Er, well if you dont have a car, only one of those places is an option - Newcastle. The other two aren't on the coast

Lots of spots to surf around Newcastle. You will need a car though.

Here's a real novice question: If you don't have a car, how do you get to the beach with your 8' board? Does australian busses have storage for boards:) Do you have storage by the beach? Do you walk 10km with your board?

newcastle...

if you are 10km away, maybe get a bike with board rack, we dont have "surfboard storage" on buses... or get a smaller board that you can carry onto the bus

In Australia without a car? Good luck!

Hey Tao Tao, did you go to Newcastle in the end? Let me know, cause I'm going to Newcastle in August! =)