heylo,

flying out of here on saturday for 3 weeks in australia (can't wait!)
the missus and i are roadtripping from cairns to sydney... it's a fair trek with a lot of interesting stuff to see and do so am not that bothered with getting that much surfing in (at least that's what i told her - she's not buying it though )

i would love to surf noosa and byron bay areas though if possible, so wondering if anyone has experience of renting boards around these parts? longboards available? any recommendations?

was debating bringing a 3/2 suit with me too, or should i bother & just rent over that over there too?

cheers folks

bring a 3/2 but I don't think you'll need it, rashie would be the better option, renting boards shouldn't be a problem as there are plenty places around byron but not sure about noosa, couple of my mates spend a bit of time up in noosa and love it cos they get to hang around there with dudes who are 65 plus but the points are ment to be pretty noice for longboards with good long rides

Might even get away with out the 3/2 in Byron, the East Austrailia Currnt runs up close and it is always warm or so i was told when i was there. There is also loads of board rental of every shape and size. Surf shops everywhere. The Pass was the best wave for longboarding but very crowded. Main beach was ok. Tallows on the other side of the headland is a more powerful short board wave. Check out the McTavish factoy while you are there the guys in the shop sound. Be interested to hear how you get in in Noosa, was thinking of going there in November

enjoy,

legend lads, thanks for the replies!
didn't realise the mctavish factory was in byron bay, thought it was in sydney for some reason - will definitely be checking that out!
will certainly take lots of pics and keep yous all posted...

Buy a board in Sydney/Newcastle sell it in Noosa (or "post" it home).

Tip 1 - surf the reefs around Newcastle
Tip 2 - surf N Sydney if you can (Avalon, DeeWhy), Bondi is a farce if its anything less then overhead, Tamarama around the corner will be quieter
Tip 3 - surf Lennox Heads, and dont miss a Lennoxsunset
Tip 4 - head up to the lighthouse (early) for a Byron sunset
Tip 5 - there is nothing worth stopping for between Fraser Island and the Whitsundays - seriously thats 500km of nothing - get up early and do the drive in a day with lots of coffee
Tip 6 - dont miss Eungla (not sure is the spelling correct) NP just outside Proserpine near the Whitsundays - if you get up at dawn, you can see platypuses in the creek (near the NP carkpark) - one of the highlights of my trip.
Tip 7 - "the" best market in Oz is the "Channon Market" - its in the hills behind Byron, on a certain Sunday in the month - if theres a chance of doin it then dont miss it.
Tip 8 - skip Nimbin
Tip 9 - dont walk the Noosa Heads NP if your not gonna surf the points - it will make you cry!
Tip 10 - spin around the Glasshouse Mts, and the Mary River valley before the twats in Queensland dam it
Tip 10 - do not drink XXXX or Fosters, drink Coopers (Pale on tap is best), Boags, Cascade, or if you cant get the above, VB
Tip 11 - Surfers Paradise it isnt!

Would love to go back again!!!

thanks a mill sponger, great info there... we're actually travelling north-to-south, cairns to sydney, so i'll just flip your tips around before printing it out!

between cairns, the whitsundays and fraser island we have a good bulk of our trip filled, but i figure the best chance of getting some waves are around noosa/byron before high-tailing it to sydney, cos i'd like to get a look around the city & even an advised surf before heading home...

the girlfriend isn't under the same pressure, she leaves sydney at the end of june with her friend to continue their travels to new zealand and south america, i'm just the chump that can only grab 3 weeks off!

should be back in time for the lbi meetup with stories to tell...

The McTavish factory have an outstanding range of demo boards in the factory. All moels in the range in a variety of sizes. If you are in Byron, then check the conditions and go grab a demo board to suit the waves is my recommendation.

J

Seriously mate, if its solid, dont pass up a chance to surf Lennox Head, its not too far from Byron and its the best wave (that Im aware of) in the area

Crescent Head is a longboard break, if its a southerly then stop there. you turn left on the south side of a town called Kempsey. dont stop in kempsey if u can help it, careful of the locals.. anyway, 20k's from kempsey to crescent head. home of another mal club, and the post man makes longboards, just go to creso post office. i was a member of that club for a short while, but surfed creso for 16 years, one of the best long longboard breaks in the country. caravan park on the point infront of the break. lennox and creso r the best breaks in nsw.
and the water doesnt start to get cold til august/september. my kids (gold coast, qld/nsw border)said its hot in the day and cool at night at the mo, so u prob wont need a wettie, especially after being used to here. and surfers paradise isnt. as said before, dont even bother lookin. have fun...
and go to crescent head

the missus was so horny one day she insisted on a quicky, so we pulled down this road in the middle of no-where, and I sure it was there - beautiful bay alright, and a few quiet carparks!

Last shop on the right in Noosa as you head out to the National Part & tea Trees etc rents longboards (did a couple of years ago anyway). Get up before dawn.....

better be careful coming back from a surf there so in case i crawl into the wrong van! we're too tight a time-line, even for quickies, i'm sure my missus will understand!

thanks for all the info lads, better than the lonely planet - there should be an "LBI hitch-hikers guide to the world - Don't Panic and Mind Your Nipples!

He was asking about surfing info, not dogging info.

That's some funny chit !

I think BA is partial to a bit of doggin