Ye ha Oz here I come

[Johno]

Av got to tell every one av booked it pack it an am off to Oz for Christmas ye ha cant wait surfing in a warm sea in just boardys.

Over christmas were hiring a catermaran an sailing round the barrier reef. i cant wait.

A few questions apart from sharks what have I got to watch out for in the sea any nastys???

How much is surf gear compared to the UK an if I bought my own board how much aopprox would it cost me to ship back to the UK?

Is there any Ozy surfers on this site who can give me some advise on surf spots etc. I am flying bassed in Brisban but have planned to camp at Frazer island.

Was also thinking of booking my self into a surf camp 4 a few days any good ones near brisban???

Any helpful coments would be much appreciated

[Jimi]

I don't want to rain on your parade, but surfing will be non-existent for much of Queensland, primarily due to it being "stinger season" over summer.

Brisbane should be ok, but as you go north the water is totally unsafe for swimming because of Box and Irukandji jellyfish, not to mention salt water crocodiles in the far north.

You can buy a stinger suit for swimming, which is basically a lycra body suit, but this won't be much help in the surf, as you are likely to rip it on your board/reef/your fingernails...

The Catamaran hire should be awesome, but make sure you check with locals before swimming/snorkeling for the above reasons.

If you want to do a surfing trip, head south from Brisbane toward Byron Bay/Lennox Head. This area is practically the NSW/QLD border, and is stinger free, and a surfing Mecca. Every small seaside town has reefs and beaches perfect for summer surfing.

[Jimi]

I also don't want to scare you, but there have been reports of tiger sharks around Fraser Island, and many surfers aren't brave enough to go near the water in that neck of the woods... However I don't know of any attacks there, so the odds are in our favour.

[Sillysausage]

i don't live in oz, but when i went there were loads of jelly fish there, little boogars

[CheeZee]

not to mention salt water crocodiles in the far north.

.. my cousin sent me an amazing photo he took of a big ol'croc swimming through the waves somewhere in the NW,.. he said that even the most ferocious sharks wont flesh with a big ol' croc when one is on the scene ..

Now that would be a fight i'd pay per view !! ..big ol'croc Vs tiger shark

gotta find that photo to post

[FiLo]

do not go surfing at fraser island there are massive rips and undertows and there are many man-o-wars around the whole east coast

[Johno]

O deer looks like im guna have to be carful knowing my luck i will proberly get eaten by a shark or stung by a gely fish, how fare is it from brisban bryan bay (driving)

How much is surf gear compared to the UK? any one gopt any good websites to help me with my travels?

[Brisbanebound]

Fraser is seen as a major sharky area - I've been there and you can see sh*t loads of tigers in the water! People do occasionally surf there but it is normally really mushy and crappy anyway so not worth the risk - and it is really rippy too!
The stingers aren't an issue until you get pretty far up the coast - into the tropics.
There's shed loads of awesome surf around Brissie - some of the spots are world class waves and not for the inexperienced or not very good surfer!!!
The Sunshine Coast is dotted with breaks all the way up to Noosa and beyond while the Gold Coast has just as many heading south.
Try Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast or if you are pretty handy try Snapper Rocks at Coolangatta.
The surf at Noosa is great - there's so many breaks to choose from. If you are an OK surfer the point breaks in the national park there can be epic - the most famous is Tea Tree Bay and when it goes off its an immense right but never too difficult. There also the beachies on the exposed coast just round from the park and the more sheltered Main Beach in town itself.
Look at a map of the Brissie area - The start of the surf coast is at Caloundra for the Sunny and at Surfers Paradise for the Goldie.
The surf is at its best in Qld at that time of year too but it is also super crowded so you will have to learn to deal with crowds!
Most airlines will carry a board without charge but it will count toward your allowance.
You can get some real bargains in Aus so its well worth picking up a board!

[Brisbanebound]

Oh yeah - its a 2 hour drive to Byron, 2 hours to Noosa, about 40minutes to the nearest surf in either direction from central Bris. There are trains too.

[greg@hoodatsurfco]

wow it would suck to come into contact with a stinger.

[Brisbanebound]

Stingers aren't a major problem in the surf spots - you get the odd blue bottle which gives a bit of a nip but nothing major.
The box jelly is only an issue in the tropics and mostly around river mouths and the shoreline - out on the reef not normally an issue but the dive companies will still want you to wear a stinger suit.
It is the wet season in December for the tropics too! Be prepared for super hot, super humid and sometimes super wet days and nights!! Can be stunning at that time of year though as everything is lush and healthy looking!

[easty]

Christmas up brissey way the waves are very small.If you want to get the most out of it dont stay in Brissey you will be miles from the beach. 40mins plus from poor breaks and avoid surfers its rubbish.
There are some good spots but they can be very crowded ie snapper and d bar if the swell is up. Fraser is great but like others have said forget surfing there its full of big ole tiger sharks. Its a national park and a marine reserve so no commercial fishing = lots of fish = lots of sharks.

[Brisbanebound]

Sorry, yep should have said "surf starts to get to its best this time of year in Qld"!!
You start to get the swell window from the East opening up in late December and the north swell window as of mid to late January. February onwards is prime season for big and powerful surf but that isn't to everyone's taste!!!
Get a map and look at Northern NSW. Look for some South facing points and beaches - that is where to head for the most part in December.
Keep an eye on the charts though - if an early cyclone pops up prepare for some big surf! Pick your spot wisely too! Snapper and Kirra are not places I'd surf in big swells! D-Bah - may as well stamp on yer board on the beach unless you are pretty good, saves getting wet!
Personally December suits me as I'm not too good in the big stuff! Nice 3 foot waves do for me and there are plenty of those in December!
Enjoy!!

[Brisbanebound]

Oh yeah, defo agree about surfers - its definitely a misnoma! Sure as hell aint a paradise and as for the surf!!!! Mushy, inconsistent rubbish! Avoid unless you like to hang out with kooks and beered up yobs!
Burleigh and Cooly are way nicer but I prefer the sunny coast anyway!

[Dec]

You shouldn't be too worried about sharks. Just make sure if you're surfing with someone. (I found out the hard way at kirra on my own...2x 4m Tiger sharks cruise up)

I don't know enough about jellyfish to tell you. About boards, get a board bag and take them on the plane with you, its free.

[Johno]

Cheers for all your advise Im a learner to so nice 3 4 feet waves do me fine,

If i disaper off this forum after the new year its coz av been eaten by a TIGER SHARK i'm scared!

Dec bet you craped ya self when u sin them sharks ????

[Dec]

Yea, I think it's probably the scariest moment of my life.

Hey, don't be worried about sharks. They were only aroud me because a dead whale had been found recently. And I was stupid enough to go out at 6am on my own

[easty]

lol .... Dec I know exactly what was running through your mind.

[Hang11]

I found this one on the beach near Gisborne in NZ. Only a little one.

Noahs give me the creeps.

[Johno]

Scary looking shark hope i dont meet one of them!!!1