Surfing

If you’re planning on paddling out to the waves in Victoria, wear a wetsuit. The waters here are cold, since the coast is open to swells from the Antarctic. The Bass Strait and Southern Ocean generate big waves for some of the coast, while the lack of tropical weather found in the north means there are no swells from cyclones here.

From the New South Wales border to Lakes Entrance is a stretch of largely untouched coastline. You’re sure to find many secret breaks and unknown spots along this part of the state, so come here to avoid the crowds. Between here and Melbourne, you’ll find breaks at Ninety Mile Beach, Sandy Point, Phillip Island and on the southern tip of the Mornington Peninsula.

Melbourne itself is located in a bay, so there aren’t any serious waves here. Melbournians looking to hit the waves head towards Bells Beach, infamously the home of the Rip Curl Pro. Bells is on the Great Ocean Road, which will take you past some other fantastic surf areas. The coast from Bells to Apollo Bay has some great beach and rock breaks, and then the coast turns westwards. The shoreline here is open to the full force of the Southern Ocean, so there are some really big waves here. You may have to get off the main road to find them, but that’s all part of the fun!