Dear all,

Back in 2019 I asked for advice for a family vacation to Australia, and I got a lot of nice suggestions/advices. We were, however, not able to make a four-week vacation as hoped in December/January, and later CoViD-19 came in the way.

This spring (2024) we found out that we all had time to make a family vacation. We planned to go to Maui, but again something got in the way: My daughter was on vacation on Cuba a year ago, and we did not realize that this can make a US Visa application challenging.

This time we have decided to go to the Australia instead.

We will arrive this weekend (March 22, 2024) and will stay for almost three weeks. We have rented a motorhome/campervan, and are planning to drive from Sydney to Brisbane. We will probably end in Noosa for a few days, before going home. Both my daughters are already in Australia, and my wife and I will meet with them in Sydney this Monday.

If there are any last-minute advices I would love to hear them.

I will bring my own board (a Sunova Speed 8'10).

With regard to SUP surfing, I am mostly concerned with crowding at the good spots. Would it be a solution to get out early in the morning?

Best regards,
Peter

Awesome plan Snogebaek - Sydney to Noosa is a classic surfari. No doubt you will get lots of advice (hopefully Creek chips in!!), but just re crowds, it is a bit counter-intuitive, but sometimes the early is the most crowded because everyone is trying to get a surf before work; then it can calm down around 9 onwards.
P.s. I had Angourie Point to myself for 90 minutes a few weeks ago. Admittedly back beach was better, but still, for a blue-ribbon spot, that is great.... So uncrowded waves at good spots are still possible.

ha ha... thanks for the mention Ishie, but I don't have any local knowledge to offer... last time I was in Noosa was 1984/85

I have traveled a bit on surf and now SUP trips.
Usually I move into an area for 6 months, rent a house, buy a car and learn the local vibe.

When on the road, I study maps, look for potentialy less crowded breaks that might offer some quality. I avoid any of the best known breaks because crowds and static cut down the fun factor.
I have learned that I can get out in most lineups, feel the locals out, take some swing wides... then after a ride, I will move slowly to a different area in the lineup, generally I can find an empty spot where I can nab a few gems and not cause any ruckus in the lineup.

Rely on your instincts and stay peaceful

Surf travel requires constant study, a soft touch, and reading the landscape before paddling out.
I have never had any interest in "wave count" and that serves me well.

Most folks lack the patience to wait for an outside set and are never usually in position for a "swing wide" (Set that breaks a bit wide of the main peak) I'll wait, grab a wave that no one can reach... this also sets my line outside the scramblers paddling for the shoulder. No one to piss off because the wave would have gone unridden anyway.

Watch almost any of my videos.... there are many session where I surf entirely alone by seeking my own path.

I follow the Ricky Grigg aproach: Get quality waves, not the most waves.

Sounds like a great plan, lots of good spots for surfing between Sydney and Noosa. Noosa is my local area and if there is swell around it will be crowded, however I find it pretty SUP friendly usually. Personally I prefer to get out just before first light but there are always people there before me ! One idea which may help is to subscribe to Swellnet during your trip (won't cost much) and you can set the forecast to pick up your current location , lots of surf cams so you look for the best spot on the day

On the Northern Beaches of Sydney I was at Manly this morning on a speed 9'2 and had a great morning, during the week there is plenty of space and always a couple of SUPs out, weekends early aren't too bad but can get crowded at the moment as it doesnt get light until around 6.30/6.40am Freshwater can be fun but gets crowded quickly
long reef has plenty of space and can be fun
Palm beach also has a large amount of space and you can make a day of it with lunch at The Newport
Have a great trip and if you have a couple of days free in Sydney and want to try manly or long reef feel free to DM

There's so many coastal national parks with or near surf on that stretch especially if you're in a motorhome. Even the smaller coastal towns and areas are great. I'm not sure what you folks are into, i.e. need shops and restaraunts and entertainment, or kids get bored etc but it's a great coastline to explore and find some gems ala Creek's description. You'll hit the Gold Coast and wanna chuck a U Turn back to NSW

Get out of Sydney fast and with only three weeks I'd suggest make your first stop around the Great Lakes area ( seal rocks, boomerang beach area) some great camping areas in this area. Then pretty well every Head along the NSW coast ( you may not even get to QLD) be aware you have come during Easter and school holidays for some of you stay so you may have to check availability or look for free camping ( not great in Vic and NSW)

Re Noosa: as described in a previous thread, the crowds reduce in proportion to the distance you are prepared to walk. No surprise there!

Thanks for all the advice.

After a few days in Sydney, and some hiking in Blue Moutains, I am now en Port Macquarie. The waves wre pretty small this morning, but it was still nice to get on the water. A pack of dolphins didn?t seem to worry about me and came pretty close.

It has definitely been difficult to find site for the motorhome during easter, at least a "powered" site.

We will stay here a couple of day and then continue north.