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The sport of surfing was in fact introduced to Australia by a Hawaiian named Duke Kahanamoku and Australian Isabel Letham in 1955. It was the duo’s impressive display that seduced and shook the nation, leading the way for a lifestyle obsession which today is woven into the fabric of Australian culture. As the frenzy of surfing as a recreational activity grew into the Aussie way of life, so too did the evolution of equipment and surfing styles. In the ’60s, Australian board designer Bob McTavish was responsible for the design of the V-surfboard and is widely acknowledged today as one of the key figures in the development of surfing. Source: theculturetrip.com/pacific/australia/articles/how-austral...

The big island at the bottom of the world has been crazy about surfing since the 19th century. Knowing how to ride a wave is a common skill in Australia, and that is why, for many, it is the ultimate surfing destination. 1867: Charles Steedman publishes the book "Manual of Swimming," which features a chapter titled "Native Swimming, Wave Mechanics and Surfboards"; 1903: Manly Beach holds the first demonstration of surf lifesaving methods; 1909: "Surf Sports at Manly," the first documentary film on a surf demonstration, is screened around the country; 1914: Duke Kahanamoku visits Australia and rides waves in front of thousands of spectators; 1919: Claude West becomes Australia's first national surfing champion; 1939: German-born Australian Harry Wicke wins the SLSA of Australia Surf Board Championship; 1963: Surfing Australia is founded; 1973: Gordon Merchant launches Billabong; 1996: "Litmus: A Surfing Odyssey," a movie by Andrew Kidman, marks a new era in modern surfing; Source: www.surfertoday.com/surfing/the-timeline-of-australian-su...

One of the beaches near Southport is the Main beach. While other suburbs snatch their names from exotic Aboriginal meanings or English seaside villages, Main Beach is far more literal. Situated at the northern end of the Gold Coast, Main Beach was so named as it was the main surf beach to the town of Southport. But while its name may be obvious, its hidden gems are far more exciting for this is one of the coast’s areas that celebrates something old and something new in style. A highlight of a visit here is to the beach itself, where the old bathing pavilion, Pavilion 34 to be precise, has been reincarnated as a casual beach café complete with Chiko rolls, potato scallops, pineapple fritters, and fish and chips. The old male and female change pavilions are still here and there are loads of retro photos to remind you of the Main Beach of old. This bathing pavilion sits next to the Southport Surf Club, the first to make its mark on the Gold Coast in 1936 and right next to a sprawling shady park which is perfect for oceanfront picnics. Source: www.destinationgoldcoast.com/places-to-see/main-beach

Lindeman Island is a 600 ha island located 30 km south-east of Shute Harbour in the Lindeman Group of islands. It has 15 km of shoreline including nine sandy beaches; all but one are located in the Lindeman Island National Park. The park covers most of the island, apart from a southern section housing an airstrip and the Lindeman Island Resort. While the island reaches a height of 212 m at Mount Oldfield, it is generally undulating. A number of walking tracks link the resort with the beaches. Home Beach (LIN5) is the main beach and lies at the foot of the resort. It is a 100 m long pocket of sand, bordered by rock headlands, together with two terminal groynes, and the island jetty and boat ramp at the western end. In addition a seawall, pool and the resort back much of the beach (Fig. 4.54). The beach is relatively narrow and steep at high tide, widening to 50 m at low tide when it grades into the sand then reefs flat up to 300 m wide. Source: beachsafe.org.au/beach/tas/dorset/cape-portland/home-beach