Best Surfboard Australia
Choosing the right surfboard in Australia depends on your skill level, local break type, and how often you paddle out. Beginners benefit from wider, thicker boards with more volume for stability, while intermediates can step down in size for sharper turns. Australia's diverse coastline — from the gentle rollers at Noosa to the hollow barrels at Margaret River — means there's no single perfect board for everyone.
Buying Guide: What to Look For
- 1Start with volume, not length — a board with enough litres for your weight keeps you paddling into waves easily. Beginners should look for 60–80L; intermediates 30–45L depending on body weight.
- 2Foam softboards (soft-tops) are the safest and most forgiving option for learners. They're mandatory at many Australian surf schools and won't ding other surfers or your car.
- 3Consider an epoxy construction board if you're transitioning from foam — epoxy is lighter and more durable than traditional polyester (PU) fibreglass, and handles the occasional rocky bottom better.
- 4Match board type to your local break: beach breaks with small-to-medium waves suit funboards and mini-mals; point breaks with longer walls reward mid-lengths and performance longboards.
- 5Buy from Australian surf shops or brands (Ocean & Earth, Mick Fanning Softboards, Hayden Shapes) for local warranty support and boards shaped for Australian wave conditions.
Top 5 Surfing & Beach Picks for Australia
Mick Fanning Softboards
Mick Fanning Softboards Beastie 8'0"
| Length | 8'0" |
| Width | 23" |
| Thickness | 3.5" |
| Volume | 75L |
| Construction | Soft foam with HDPE bottom |
Pros
- HDPE slick bottom for speed — faster than basic foam boards
- Triple stringer for rigidity and durability
- Comes with removable fins and leash plug
- Widely available at Anaconda, BCF, and surf shops
Cons
- Heavy to carry at 8 feet — awkward for smaller surfers
- Limited performance once you're catching green waves consistently
Verdict
The go-to learner board in Australia — stable, durable, and designed by a 3x world champion for Aussie conditions.
Ocean & Earth
Ocean & Earth Ezi-Rider 7'0" Softboard
| Length | 7'0" |
| Width | 22" |
| Thickness | 3.25" |
| Volume | 60L |
| Construction | EPS foam with soft skin |
Pros
- Australian brand with nationwide warranty and support
- Softer rails reduce injury risk in crowds
- Good balance of stability and manoeuvrability at 7 feet
- Includes fins, leash, and traction pad
Cons
- Less stable than 8-foot options for surfers over 85kg
- Foam can dent under heavy use after 12–18 months
Verdict
Slightly shorter soft-top for lighter beginners or those ready to step down from an 8-footer.
Catch Surf
Catch Surf Odysea Log 8'0"
| Length | 8'0" |
| Width | 23" |
| Thickness | 3.5" |
| Volume | 80L |
| Construction | EPS core with soft-top skin |
Pros
- Performance-oriented soft-top with rocker for nose riding
- Stiff triple-stringer core handles bigger waves
- Iconic design — looks good on the beach
- Can be ridden as a longboard once you're past beginner stage
Cons
- Pricier than basic learner foamies
- Heavy at around 5.5kg
Verdict
Fun-focused foam longboard that bridges the gap between learning and logging — popular at Bondi and Byron.
NSP
NSP Elements Funboard 7'2"
| Length | 7'2" |
| Width | 21.5" |
| Thickness | 2.875" |
| Volume | 50L |
| Construction | Epoxy |
Pros
- Durable epoxy construction withstands dings and transport
- Funboard shape offers stability with turning ability
- FCS II fin system for easy fin swaps
- Good resale value on the second-hand market
Cons
- Harder rails — not as forgiving as foam if you collide
- Heavier than polyester shortboards
Verdict
Epoxy hardtop funboard for intermediates transitioning off foam — reliable in Australian beach breaks.
Hayden Shapes
Hayden Shapes Hypto Krypto 6'0"
| Length | 6'0" |
| Width | 20.5" |
| Thickness | 2.625" |
| Volume | 35L |
| Construction | FutureFlex (epoxy/carbon) |
Pros
- Versatile outline works in 1–6 foot Australian waves
- FutureFlex construction is light and responsive
- Wide point forward for easy paddling despite shorter length
- Shaped in Sydney — designed for Australian conditions
Cons
- Requires solid wave-catching ability — not for beginners
- Premium price point over $700
Verdict
Australian-designed performance board for confident intermediates ready to rip — one of the best-selling shapes in the country.
Editor's Note
Australian summers (December–February) bring warmer water and smaller, cleaner swells on the east coast — ideal for learning. Winter brings larger south swells better suited to experienced surfers. Mick Fanning Softboards and Ocean & Earth dominate the learner market in Australia with stock at every Anaconda and surf shop. For intermediates, Hayden Shapes and DHD are shaped locally and designed for Australian beach breaks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size surfboard should a beginner get in Australia?
Most adult beginners should start on an 8-foot soft-top or 7'6" to 8'0" mini-mal. These boards offer enough stability to catch white water and unbroken waves while you develop paddle fitness. If you weigh over 90kg, go for a 9-foot longboard or soft-top for extra float.
How much does a good surfboard cost in Australia?
Entry-level foam soft-tops cost $149–$350. Mid-range epoxy funboards and mini-mals run $400–$600. Custom or performance shortboards from Australian shapers like DHD or Hayden Shapes typically cost $700–$1,100. Second-hand boards on Facebook Marketplace or Gumtree can save 40–60%.
Is a foam surfboard good enough to learn on?
Foam soft-tops are the recommended way to learn. They're buoyant, stable, and safer for you and other surfers. Most Australian surf schools use them exclusively. You can progress to a hard-top board once you're consistently catching unbroken green waves and doing basic turns.
What is the best surfboard brand in Australia?
For beginners, Mick Fanning Softboards and Ocean & Earth are the most popular and widely available. For intermediates and advanced surfers, Australian-shaped brands like Hayden Shapes, DHD, JS Industries, and Channel Islands (shaped in Torquay) are highly regarded for local wave conditions.
Affiliate disclosure: This guide contains affiliate links. If you purchase via our links, AUPicks may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This does not influence our rankings — all picks are based on genuine research.