From our friends at australia.com
By Katrina Lobley
If you've never given stand up paddle boarding a try, Australia is the place to do so. Sign up for a lesson or just hire a board and head out onto the water to give it a go. Australia has a stand up paddle boarding experience that's right for you.
-Perfect Paddles Travel Brief-
Best Time of Year to Visit:
The best travel time to stand up paddle board in Australia is during their summer seasons. Unlike the Northern Hemisphere locations, Australia's summer takes place December 1st through the end of February. (www.tripsavvy.com)
Average Temperature:
The average temperatures for summer in Australia range from 80 degrees Fahrenheit to 95 degrees.
SUP Environments to Paddle In
Marinas
Bay
Ocean
Lakes
Rivers
Australia has it all!
SUP Activity Highlights:
Excursions
Tours
Wildlife Tours
Eco-Tours
Glow Paddles
SUP Yoga
Wildlife Paddles:
Australia is known for its diverse wildlife. To see it all from a unique perspective be sure to take part in a wildlife excursion while you are there!
Interested in any of these extra activities? Be sure to head HERE to find a list of paddle pros in the area and what they offer!
Perfect Paddles Deals to Get Your Ready for Your Trip:
RHEOS (Floating) Sunglasses- 15% off with Member Benefits
Duk Gear- 20% off a waterproof cell phone case with Member Benefits
Check out more of our gear options HERE!
Perfect Paddles Shops/Outfitters Near the Locations:
1. Work Out on Water (Sydney)
2. flow mOcean (Sydney)
3. WatSUP Watson's Bay Paddle Boarding (Sydney)
4. Stand Up Paddle HQ (Melbourne)
5. Sun Seekers SUP Melbourne
Member Deals: Don’t forget to take advantage of our fantastic Member Deals for exclusive discounts for our members! To become a member head HERE.
Additional Attractions:
Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling and Diving Cruise: Great Barrier Reef diving and snorkeling Cruise fromCairns Both day boats and pontoons offer snorkeling with the optional extra of scuba diving. Scuba diving you will wear a scuba tank on your back and breathe compressed air underwater for just over 40 minutes. Scuba diving is easy and a really enjoyable way to explore the Great Barrier Reef .
Rainforest Day Trips: Experience three of Northern Queensland’s most impressive natural wonders in one tour. Visit the Mossman Gorge and discover the region’s Aboriginal heritage as you take part in a traditional Kuku Yalanji smoke ceremony. Continue to Cape Tribulation for a spectacular view over the Great Barrier Reef, then journey into the heart of the UNESCO-protected Daintree Rainforest and spot wildlife on a Daintree River cruise
Litchfield Natural Park: Litchfield National Park, covering approximately 1500 km 2, is near the township of Batchelor, 100 km south-west of Darwin, in the Northern Territory of Australia
Royal Botanical Gardens (Melbourne): Visit Melbourne's inner-city oasis. Over 10,000 plant species from around the world are presented in a kaleidoscope of colour and texture. Sweeping lawns, tranquil lakes and majestic trees are home to an amazing range of wildlife.
National Gallery of Victoria: The National Gallery of Victoria, popularly known as the NGV, is an art museum in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Founded in 1861, it is Australia's oldest and most visited art museum.
Art Gallery of New South Wales (Sydney): The Art Gallery of New South Wales (AGNSW), founded as the New South Wales Academy of Art in 1872 and known as the National Art Gallery of New South Wales between 1883 and 1958, is located in The Domain, Sydney, Australia. It is the most important public gallery in Sydney and one of the largest in Australia.
BALMORAL BEACH, SYDNEY
At the quiet end of Balmoral Beach, tucked into a curl of Sydney's northern harbour, is Balmoral Paddlesurf. Learn to stand-up paddle board in Australia in their calm, clear waters with simple tips on balance, body alignment and stroke technique. Lessons also cover basic safety and weather advice, how to self-rescue, and different ways to turn and manoeuvre your board. Opt for a morning lesson and enjoy breakfast afterwards at The Boathouse Balmoral Beach.
MANLY BEACH, SYDNEY
Want to take your SUP skills to a whole new level? Try using a stand up paddle board for a yoga class with a difference with flow mOcean in Manly. After an overview of paddle techniques on land you'll take a 10 to 15-minute paddle to your floating studio. You'll then do a one-hour yoga class while balancing on a board. You don’t have to be a yoga expert. It’s about having fun.
MALABAR BEACH, SYDNEY
Just a short stroll from the popular beach at Maroubra is Malabar – a hidden bay considered a favourite with locals. Here, you can try SUP with a fun and easy introductory lesson from Let’s Go Surfing. You’ll be taught the basic techniques while enjoying the calm and pristine waters in this secluded and quiet bay.
JERVIS BAY, SHOALHAVEN
Jervis Bay, located on the New South Wales South Coast, is a picture-perfect oceanic bay dotted with pristine paper-white sand beaches and some of the most crystal-clear cerulean waters you’ll set your eyes on. Perfect for stand up paddle boarding in Australia. The bay isn’t just known for its beauty, but it’s friendly residents of 50 plus dolphins and visitors of the humpback variety. Gliding through this turquoise haven is a must, but with SUP with George, there’s more. Book a ‘Brunch on the Beach’ and start your morning paddling through the mangroves before arriving at a secret beach where a beautiful brunch picnic awaits. For those looking for more ocean time, lessons and group tours are also available.
BYRON BAY, NEW SOUTH WALES
SUP lessons at Byron Bay will teach you the basics of this fun water sport. They also provide the opportunity to spot some amazing marine life including dolphins, fish, sea birds, and sea turtles. This 2.5-hour small group tour with Let’s Go Surfing makes it easy to enjoy the unique experience of walking on water while surrounded by a beautiful natural landscape.
NOOSA EVERGLADES, NOOSA
Explore the Noosa River's peaceful corridors, which trail from several freshwater lakes to the Pacific Ocean near Noosa's main beach. Paddle past multimillion-dollar mansions and the waterfront restaurants of Noosaville, Noosa Marina and Tewantin into the Upper Noosa River, known as the river of mirrors. Those who have built up their SUP skills can keep on paddling to reach lakes Cooroibah and Cootharaba, part of an area known as the Noosa Everglades. Hire a SUP or take a lesson from SUP Noosa at Noosaville.
LORD HOWE ISLAND
Lord Howe is a stunning World Heritage-listed subtropical island paradise 600 kilometres (373 miles) or a two-hour flight north-east of Sydney. Take a SUP lesson with SUP Kite Surf’s Chad Wilson or head out on a SUP guided tour of the island, which has a calm lagoon with astonishing views of the towering blocks of rock, Mount Gower and Mount Lidgbird.
HOBART, TASMANIA
Tasmania's waters are best known for their incredible seafood. However, there are also some extraordinary paddling adventures to be had here. Hobart Stand Up Paddle and Surf, in conjunction with instructors from Bic Life, can help you start exploring the area's serene inlets and exposed water runs. It also has paddleboards for hire and can advise on which waterways around Hobart will suit you best.
SWAN RIVER, PERTH
Learn how to SUP in the calm waters of Perth's Swan River. Stand Up Surf Shop, billed as Australia's biggest SUP specialist store, offers two-hour lessons at Freshwater Bay on weekends starting at 8am. Instructor Cameron McKay knows what he’s talking about: he’s competed in 20-kilometre (12-mile) SUP marathons. The store also hires SUP boards for the day, the weekend or an entire week.
SEACLIFF BEACH, ADELAIDE
Stand Up Paddle SA, has a prime location in front of the sailing club at Adelaide's Seacliff Beach. They offer group and one-on-one lessons ranging from beginner to expert guidance. If you want to correct your paddling skills you can even book in for a video session to help fine-tune your technique. SUP yoga classes on the ocean are available, weather permitting. SUP rentals include short, long and inflatable boards.
APOLLO BAY, GREAT OCEAN ROAD
The waters at Apollo Bay (along Victoria's Great Ocean Road) can be on the fresher side, so wetsuits are included in a SUP lesson with Apollo Bay Surf & Kayak. The store, opposite the town's information centre, offers 90-minute lessons that cover entering and exiting the water, paddling technique and water safety.
BOODJAMULLA NATIONAL PARK, QUEENSLAND
Nestled within Queensland's Boodjamulla National Park you'll find an oasis in the outback - Lawn Hill Gorge. The calm, emerald waters are perfect for paddling, and you'll find wildlife, walks and cultural sites nearby. Plus, you can stay right next door at Adels Grove, which borders the Lawn Hill Creek, another top SUP spot. The camping park offers campgrounds for tents and RVs, but there are plenty of options for those who want to sleep off the ground. Take the hassle out of camping in a bunkhouse, ensuite room or permanent tent.
About the Author
Share this Post