Nothing beats the winter chill like planning the perfect summer holiday full of surf, sand and sun. From the golden beaches of Queensland to the far reaches of Victoria and Western Australia, there are plenty of Wyndham resorts located right on the doorstep of world-class surf breaks.
Wyndham Ambassador and seven-time world surfing champion Layne Beachley shares her favourite WorldMark surf destinations and some insider tips to catch the perfect wave.
Over to you, Layne.
Torquay
Bells Beach in Torquay is one of my favourite surf spots in the world. Home to the annual Rip Curl Pro, Bells Beach is just a 10-minute drive from Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific Torquay and makes for a fantastic holiday for the whole family. Powerful, open-ocean swells roll through from the Southern Ocean, creating the perfect, peeling right-hander, ideal for confident surfers. It can be a challenging break, so just find a spot on the beach and watch the locals surf it when the waves are over four feet high.
For intermediate surfers, I recommend heading out at Rincon on a smaller day or Jan Juc. Torquay is a great place to learn to surf and there are lots of surf schools to choose from, offering local knowledge and plenty of fun. If you’re heading to Torquay, make sure you take or hire a really warm wetsuit to tackle the chilly Victorian waters. Out of the water, make your way to the outlet stores for an amazing range of surf clothing, or visit the Surf World Museum to soak up Torquay’s surf culture.
Shore Fun for Land-Lovers
With Edwin Erftemeyer | Front Office Manager | Wyndham Resort Torquay
For stunning views of the rugged coastline, make your way along the Surf Coast Walk. Start at the resort and walk to Bells Beach, a comfortable five-kilometre trek. Bikes are another great way to take in the clifftop sights. You can find bikes for hire in Torquay and plenty of cycle-friendly tracks. Book in advance for December, and catch the annual Torquay festival, a weekend extravaganza of art, culture, and music celebrating life by the beach.
Phillip Island
If your ideal summer holiday is a surfing road trip, take the leisurely drive from Torquay to Phillip Island and experience the breathtaking sights of the Great Ocean Road along the way. Phillip Island is a gorgeous little surf community, which has produced world-class champions like Nikki Van Dijk and Glyndon Ringrose. You’ll find the swell is consistently pumping at a range of reef and beach breaks, so it’s no surprise Phillip Island was recently declared Victoria’s first National Surfing Reserve.
South-facing Woolamai Beach is the island’s hero break, offering plenty of variety, and is only 10 minutes’ drive from the fantastic accommodation at Ramada Resort by Wyndham Phillip Island. Head to the western end of the beach where the headland offers more wind protection and the waves are better due to the rock bottom. Smiths Beach is another great option for beginners producing left and right-hand breaks on all tides, while nearby Cat Bay provides a fun reef break close to Phillip Island’s famous wildlife attractions.
Shore Fun for Land-Lovers
With Angela Graham | Guest Service Agent | Ramada by Wyndham Philip Island
Take one of the four walking trails around Cape Woolamai, the highest point on the island, for breathtaking clifftop views and abundant birdlife. If you’re exploring the island’s south coast, be sure to take The Nobbies boardwalk and witness the spectacular sea cave blowhole. The kids will love the free pelican feeding held daily at midday at the San Remo pier. Grab some fish and chips and join the birds for lunch.
Dunsborough
If you prefer wineries over wildlife, then head to Western Australia for the ultimate gourmet surfing getaway. My favourite surfing spot in the South West is undoubtedly Margaret River, home to an abundance of quality waves. The coastline here is rugged, boasting stunning natural beauty and big, open-ocean swells forming over reef and beach breaks. In fact, the waves are so good, Margaret River was added to the ASP world tour lineup this year for the very first time. Visit around March and April, and the water temperature should be warm enough for boardshorts and bikinis.
Just 15 minutes’ drive from Club Wyndham Dunsborough, you’ll discover the beachside village of Yallingup, which is also home to top surf, plus a beautiful lagoon for swimming and snorkelling. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, Yallingup Reef is a great all-rounder, and, when the waves are under six foot, it’s perfect for mal riders. Make the most of the region’s world-famous wineries and enjoy a glass of red with friends at the end of a long day out in the surf.
Shore Fun for Land-Lovers
With Jess Fletcher | Guest Service Agent | Wyndham Resort & Spa Dunsborough
Marvel at the breathtaking beauty of the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park by walking a section of the 140-kilometre Cape to Cape Walk track. Witness migrating humpback whales between September and December. For the young and young-at-heart, Injidup Beach boasts huge sand dunes perfect for body boarding. This hidden gem is just 10 minutes from Yallingup and is rarely busy. The perfect summer holiday must include a visit to Simmo’s Ice Creamery in Dunsborough for the most famous ice-cream in the South West. The store also features an adventure playground and mini golf.
The Gold Coast
For a true taste of summer, nothing beats Queensland’s famous Gold Coast. Snapper Rocks is the epicenter of the Coast’s surf scene and is located just a few minutes’ drive from Wyndham Vacation Clubs Kirra Beach. If you visit in March, you can spot some of the world’s biggest names in surfing battling it out at Snapper in the annual Quicksilver Pro. Due to the wave quality, Snapper Rocks can get crowded, but your patience will be rewarded, with the shallow inside sections producing unbelievable barrels.
If the swell gets too big for your liking, stick to the inside of Rainbow Bay or work your way down along the point towards Greenmount. You’ll find plenty of top-quality surf schools for the kids at both Greenmount and at nearby Currumbin, with the latter just a short walk from the popular Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary.
Shore Fun for Land-Lovers
With Roxanne Gell | Guest Service Agent | Wyndham Vacation Clubs Kirra Beach
The Ocean Walkway is a fantastic way to soak up the coastal atmosphere. This paved walkway meanders past Kirra Point, Coolangatta, the lush Greenmount headland, Rainbow Bay and Snapper Rocks, with sweeping views back up to Surfers Paradise. Be sure to stop at the Captain Cook Memorial at Point Danger, the Queensland mainland’s most easterly point. Just behind the Twin Towns Resort at the Jack Evans Boat Harbour, you’ll find plenty of watersport equipment for hire including canoes, paddleboats and kayaks to explore the calm waters of Tweed Heads.
Back to Layne…
Whatever your skill level, there’s a Wyndham surf destination to suit everyone. Get out your calendar, plan your next holiday, and start living your surfing bucket-list. I’ll see you out there!
