Australia is one of the luckiest countries on earth when it comes to rideable waves so why not explore them?
Sick of squabbling for an inch of wave space at your local beach? Want to surf free from the circus of packed out city breaks? Here are some surf spots around Australia offering a little more breathing space:
Break: Gnarloo/The Point
Where: around seven hours north of Geraldton,
Western Australia
A fairly serious break — not for grommets. For the initiated surfer however, Gnarloo is one of Australia's finest surf spots, particularly between May and August when the swell is pumping and consistent. It's not suited to weekend warriors though — it takes some genuine endeavour to get to Gnarloo and many surfers will actually stay for a while at the nearby camp.
The reef here is sharper than the wrong end of a kebab knife but if you're confident you know what you're doing, it's well worth braving it. Supplies in the region are limited so come prepared.
Getting there: follow the dirt road north from Turtles and take the turnoff to Three Mile Camp.
Break: Main Beach
Where: North Stradbroke Island,
Queensland
Regarded as a regional classic, this superb break boasts rights and lefts running the entire length of the beach. During weekdays it's quieter and the waves offer something to all level of surfers. The only slight nuisance is the prevalence of tiger sharks in the region. For those wusses who don't like the idea of being munched, there's also sand-boarding nearby, as well as some quality dive spots and 4WDs for hire.
Getting there: from Brisbane, take the ferry to North Stradbroke, Cleveland. Once on the island go to Point Lookout.
Break: Lakes Entrance
Where: East Coast,
Victoria
Definitely a quieter break, especially during the off season, Lakes Entrance is probably more suited to beginners. The waves here are usually smaller beach breaks and the region is huge, meaning fewer fights over space. The best way to find a consistent bank is to head straight out of the entrance itself and look to the immediate right or left. This section of Ninety Mile Beach is also popular among fisherman so take care not to get a fish hook somewhere painful.
Getting there: follow one of the many signs to Eastern Beach and take a stroll over the sand dunes.
Break: Garie Beach
Where: Royal National Park,
New South Wales
Only about an hour's drive south of central Sydney, Garie is a cracking little break nestled among the rugged beauty of the world's second oldest national park. Flanked by towering cliffs, it's a picturesque spot and the surf is fairly reliable all year round. Both ground swells and wind swells ensure a consistent break and while there's normally plenty of room, it can get a little busier if the surf is really pumping. Be mindful of locals, rocks and some pretty hefty rips.
Getting there: if heading from Sydney the park's main entry points are along the Princes Highway. Turn off at either Farnell Avenue, just south of Loftus or at McKell Avenue at Waterfall.
Break: Cloudy Bay
Where: Bruny Island,
Tasmania
Tasmania might not be the first place most people think of when it comes to surfing but there are actually some pretty decent waves around its coastline. You'll need a good wetsuit — it gets mighty chilly — but the breaks on Bruny Island can be superb when conditions are right. As it faces the Southern Ocean, Cloudy Bay can be home to some massive swells, but due to its relatively isolated location, crowds are usually scarce. When the swell isn't rampant, catch some smaller beach breaks at the Neck or head up to Adventure Bay for a scarier left-hand point break at the southern end.
Getting there: take a ferry to the island from Kettering. Fees apply for vehicles.
Break: Ethel Wreck
Where: Innes National Park, Yorke Peninsula,
South Australia
It's known to be fickle, but on a good day this is one of the better breaks in the South Australian region. Regarded more as a summer break, Ethel is home to a notorious, powerful right hander. Admittedly, it can get pretty busy here on a good day but you'd hardly compare it to a weekend summer session at Bondi for instance. In any case, surfing beside a ship wreck is unspeakably cool so who cares if you have to share the experience with a few others? Due to the often fearsome nature of these waters, there are said to be several other undiscovered wrecks in the region. Some claim there is still valuable cargo on board.
Getting there: at Innes National Park, take the Wreck turnoff, about 15 minutes past Chinaman's.
Be sure to check out our photo gallery of the best surf spots in Oz by clicking here: 
Have you surfed any of these breaks? Keen to avoid the crowds in the water? Share your favourite surf spots with us below.
