help! ...australia, where to go!?

[turtlesurf]

hey all!
ive just been told that my christmas present for this year is gunna be a flight to australia, provided i raise money for food and spending, etc.
Only thing is, i have NO idea which bit i should go to. I'll be going for a few weeks so i'll have the chance to move around a little,should i wish to. I'll be there for xmas and new year... I've had a brief look at a few places already but its kinda hard to know where to start!

Can anyone offer any ideas?

* Im not really into the whole 'big city vibe', at least not for a whole trip.
* I would love to be as close to the beach as possible. Waves would be great, but as im a beginner surfer, not necessarily anythin major!
* Somewhere thats gunna be kinda friendly and safe-ish would be good as it'll most likely only be me and a friend goin, and we'll still be young'uns!

Any advice or ideas would be MUCH appreciated!!!

xox

[deathfrog]

Lakes entrance has some nice waves at points in time, but its mostly a fishing spot. Not big, just fun waist high barrels last time I was there.

[namino tsume]

www.wannasurf.com has great locations and tell you the overall atmosphere, and personal comments.

[oslo]

* Im not really into the whole 'big city vibe', at least not for a whole trip.
* I would love to be as close to the beach as possible. Waves would be great, but as im a beginner surfer, not necessarily anythin major!
* Somewhere thats gunna be kinda friendly and safe-ish would be good as it'll most likely only be me and a friend goin, and we'll still be young'uns!

Sound like Byron Bay might be a place to consider. The competition for the best break there is though, as it breaks on a rock, and you have to be really close to drop in first. For a beginner, you can always stay further in the bay, getting a few good ones. Other than that, Byron Bay is chill.

Also Noosa is a great place to learn(specially on a longboard). There's a few hostels that are reasonable priced, but the place is a bit touristy.

Stay away from surfer's paradise.

[turtlesurf]

hay, thanks for the replies people!

i've been looking at Byron Bay actually, seems like a cool kinda place!
I checked out surfers paradise too, but that doesnt seem much like paradise to me!

i'll keep lookin tho, any more advice is welcome!

xox

[tadwablue]

hey...as a 27yr old chick i live in melb aust and there are heaps of ace cruisy breaks to start out on here. Melbourne being the home of Bells Beach is awesome but probabley a little crazy to start with. I have only just started to surf myself so i will keep an eye out for some good spots.am heading up to surfers paradise in a couple of weeks.. is awesome up there but also a little rough and you need to really watch out for sharks... but the one thing that you will love about Aust waters is that it;s toasty warm.If you want to stay close to the beach Aust is the definaltley the place to do it. Will keep you posted. If you need a surf buddy drop me a line when your down =@)