Manly

The 35km long, fine sandy Gold Coast begins on a spit of land called Greenmount Point, which also marks the border between New South Wales and Queensland. A few hundred metres west of Snappers Rock, one of Australia most popular surfing breaks, is a spot by Kirra North that works in cross-onshore NNW winds. It often blows this way in the morning in early summer before turning NE with the approaching sea breeze. The waves are rarely bigger than head-high but the beach is broad, the setting pleasant and there are rarely more than 15 people on the water. Wavesailors should head for 'Currumbin Point’ in big SE swell to ride The Alley – basically the area’s only big wave spot scoring clean lines while the beach-breaks all close-out in any swell over 2.5m. The best chances of big days are in late summer when cyclones can deliver 25-30 knot winds and thick swells in their dying throes. Occasionally you might sea a couple of people on the flat water in the inlet, but that’s within the 6-knot limit zone for any water traffic so is officially forbidden – lifeguards or police can issue fines. Nobby's Beach is perfect for average days with typically mid-sized swell. The well-formed sandbanks produce quality beach-breaks allowing a couple of sweet turns. Nobby’s is still totally relaxed in terms of parking and red/yellow flagged bathing zones, but forget the beaches below the Surfers Paradise skyline. The next workable spot is Narrowneck boasting similar conditions to Nobby’s, except S is cross-shore. The Spit is particularly nice in NE with cleaner, better-spaced waves behind the breakwater. Meanwhile there are excellent flat-water conditions on the other side of the peninsula in 'Broadwater’. The best launch is opposite Sea World at The Train with a sandbank that windsurfers use as a speed-strip. Named after the fast food joint, KFC has pretty gusty winds at the launch but its standing-depth over a localised sandbank is perfect for kite freestyle or training. Shearwater Street is also a good beginner’s venue. As the islands of Stradbroke and Moretown can only be reached by ferry and the conditions are similar to the Gold Coast, they’re rarely visited. Brisbane locals generally prefer the simplicity of their suburban home beaches. Wellington Point works in all wind directions, even SW or W in winter. Downwind of the sandbar towards 'King Island’ it’s always mirror-flat, and standing-depth at mid-tide. Meanwhile outside there’s room for long freeride runs and chop for bump-and-jump. Manly in Waterloo Bay is a windsurfing slalom venue, launch from near the stairs at the yacht marina near 'Norfolk Point’. Just before the Brisbane to Redcliff 'Houghton Highway’ is Brighton, Brisbane’s favourite kite zone with up to 30 on the water. It’s not affected by tides and the clear water between the sandbanks is barely a foot deep. On the far bank of 'Bramble Bay’, Woody Point is sheltered from NE windswell so good for blasting or freestyle. After a session, try the legendary steaks in the Belvedere Hotel or fish in the Crab House. Further north, the waves start to return. Scotts Point is one of south-east Queensland’s main windsurf spots, offering nice jump-ramps. Sutton Beach is more touristy, but it’s much quieter again at Queen's Beach.