Australia Surf Camps, Surf Schools, Surf Tours & Surfaris

Bordered by the Indian Ocean to the west and the Pacific to the east, Australia is the smallest of the world's five continents but the largest island on earth. The Australian continent extends from east to west some 2,400 miles (3,860 km.) and from north to south nearly 2,000 miles (3,220 km.). Australia is the sixth largest country in the world: It is about the size of mainland US and 50% larger than Europe, but has the lowest population density in the world - only two people per square kilometre. The total population reaches 20 millions inhabitants but most of 75% of Australians live within an hour's drive of the coast, leaving the central part of the continent almost deserted. Australia's coastline is 22,845 miles (36,735 km.) long and features some of the world's most spectacular beaches and surf breaks. This situation explains why "Sun, sand and surf" are much part of the Australian way of life. The best way to discover the country and enjoy a surfing life-style experience is through the Australia Surf Bus Tour & Camp, leaving Sydney every monday for a week of surf adventure along the East Coast's Pacific Highway to Byron Bay, Australia's surfing Mecca, where you can stay for another week at Byron Bay Surf Camp.

Australia Surf Bustour | Sydney - Byron Bay

'Terra Australis' was the last land mass to be discovered by European explorers and it was not until Captain James Cook landed in Botany Bay (Sydney) in 1770 that the great southern land was officially discovered by Europeans and became a British penal Colony ! Overcrowded prisons in England and disruption caused by the American Revolution were two key reasons for the first shipments of convicts to the great southern land - It was the explorer and botanist Joseph Banks who suggested that it would be a fine site for a penal colony. Yet previously and for more than 50,000 years, Australia's Aboriginal people had lived and thrived in the island's unique and challenging natural environment. Australia's rich vegetation and native wildlife helped them establish their presence on the land. Today it is believed the Aboriginal are the world's oldest civilisation.

Today, Australia is made up of six states and two territories. Each state and territory has its own parliament and flag like the US states. Australia became a federated nation after the union of the six colonies on 1 January 1901, bound by one parliament, one constitution and one flag but still under British sovereignty - the head of state is the Queen of England !

The Australian environment is unique. From unspoilt beaches, tropical rainforest, rugged mountain ranges and vast tracts of desert, Australia is a country of contrast, home to an amazing 14 World Heritage listed wilderness areas. Among these are the famous Ayers Rock in the central desert and the Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest and most complex living coral system stretching down the east coast of Queensland for 1,400 miles (2,300 km.). Remote from any other continent, Australia also has many distinctive flora and fauna, including kangaroo, koala and wallaby.

From the east coast, a narrow fertile strip extends west toward the Great Dividing Range. Culminating at Mt. Kosciusko in NSW (7,316 ft. / 2,230 m.), this range runs nearly the length of the continent and has a great influence on coastal weather conditions. West of this range the land becomes flat and forms desert. The centre is harsh and often inhospitable but full of extraordinary beauty. Westwards, the country is mostly made up of broad plateau. Like the east coast, the west has a fertile strip to the east of Perth. The north-west, or Kimberley region, is spectacular and mostly uninhabited. Darwin, situated squarely in the tropics, lies on the north coast. Cape York at the top of the east coast is the most northerly point of Australia pointing at neighbouring papua New Guinea. Like much of the interior and the north-west, it is sparsely inhabited and ruggedly beautiful.

Australia's seasons are the reverse of those in the northern hemisphere. From Christmas on the beach to midwinter in July, Australia's climate is typically mild in comparison with the extremes that exist in both Europe and North America. Nevertheless in winter, you can surf in the tropical waters of Queensland and snowboard in new South Wales' Australian Alps! Most of Australia receives more than 3,000 hours of sunshine a year, or an amazing 70% of the total possible hours. Australia also features a diverse range of climatic zones from the tropical regions of the north, the arid expanses of the interior and the temperate regions of the south. It's worth noting that the temperate regions have all four seasons, while those in the tropical zone have only two (wet summers and dry winters).

There are three time zones in Australia: Eastern Standard Time (EST), which includes New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory; Central Standard Time (CST), which includes South Australia and the Northern Territory; and Western Standard Time (WST) in the state of Western Australia.

Sun, sand and surf are part of the Australian way of life. Australia's coastline is 22,845 miles (36,735 km.) long and features some of the world's most spectacular beaches. For most of the 75 percent of Australians who live within an hour's drive of the coast, their local beach is like an extension of their backyard. You can discover why Australia is synonymous with surfing by taking a coastal drive and gazing at long beaches with great waves.

The eastern state of New South Wales is probably the most famous surf state in the country, thanks to its capital Sydney - Bondi Beach is an international surf icon. Other surf beaches in the metropolitan area of Sydney include Manly, Dee Why, Narrabeen and Avalon. Surf's up in coastal towns to the north and south of Sydney, including Coffs Harbour, Ulladulla, Wollongong, Crescent Head and Nambucca Heads. Excellent surf, great food and whale watching top the touring surfer's agenda in Byron Bay, Australia's most easterly point. For more details on surf in New South Wales, go to Australia Surf Bus Tour & Camp

Queensland lays claim to some of Australia's best surf and most popular beaches. Long before the Gold Coast became the country's busiest tourist centre, Surfers Paradise was just that : 42 kilometres of world-beating surf. North Stradbroke Island and the Sunshine Coast north of Brisbane also offer great waves.

The southern state of Victoria's coastline is wild and the surf big - Bells Beach will ring a familiar bell with surfers worldwide. The world's premier coastal drives "Great Ocean Road" can be done in a day and offers dazzling scenery, glorious surf beaches while the Shipwreck Coast, Phillip Island (venue of the Australian Grand Prix), the Mornington Peninsula, Torquay and the aptly named Surfies Point are other top surfing destinations in Victoria. The state capital Melbourne is the annual venue of the famous Australia Tennis Open. Other top Aussie spots include the Margaret River region of Western Australia, the state of South Australia's legendary Cactus Beach and the state island of Tasmania's Eaglehawk Neck.