RIDING THE COAST

Andrew McKinnon — or as most surfers know him, Andy Mac — has been a voice of the waves for over 50 years. From his early days competing as a shortboard champion in the 1970s to winning the World Longboard Championship in 1988, Andy has lived and breathed surf culture. He’s reported surf conditions on radio and TV for more than three decades, written countless articles, and stood at the heart of major surfing movements — from commentary to conservation.

An advocate for the Gold Coast World Surfing Reserve since 2015 and a proud Life Member of Surfing Queensland (2024), Andy continues to champion ocean health and surf heritage. He chaired the Global Wave Conference in 2020 and now leads preparations for the 2026 World Surfing Conservation Conference. At 72, he’s still watching the lineup, still writing, and still protecting the places that shaped his life. His upcoming memoir, Waves of Choice / Waves of Consequence, will chart a life well-lived in saltwater and sunshine.

So, who better to guide us along this stretch of iconic coastline? LOCALE asked Andy Mac to share a regional surf report on his pick of the best breaks from the Gold Coast to Yamba, where the waves tell their own stories and the stoke never fades.

Andy Mac’s Guide to the Best Surf Breaks

Australia’s Far North Coast and Gold Coast are world-famous for their predominant right-hand point breaks — shaped by the ancient volcanic basalt rocks of Mt Warning (Wollumbin). Spanning 217 kilometres of coastline, this is a surfer’s dream run. And, worth noting, the stretch from Burleigh Beach to Snapper Rocks on the Qld/NSW border forms the Gold Coast World Surfing Reserve, which will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2026. Here are nine of the best.

By Andrew McKinnon

Burleigh Point (Jellurgal)

Set within Burleigh Head National Park on Kombumerri Country, Burleigh Point is pure magic. The wave wraps from Sharkys to the Cove, peeling off the Rockbreak and finishing with a step-off onto the beach. Famous for the Stubbies Classic in the ’70s and ’80s, and World Championship Tour events including Surfing Australia’s ABB, Burleigh can hold up to 12ft and works best in SE–E swells with SW to SE winds. Reserved for experienced surfers, it’s home to the Burleigh Barrel and the Burleigh Boardriders.

Currumbin Alley

Once known as Shark Alley, the Alley is where countless surfers caught their first wave. It’s forgiving when small but transforms in bigger swells — double to triple overhead behind the rock — and suits experienced tow-in surfers. Works best with SW to SE winds and E to ENE swells. Home to the Alley Boardriders.

Kirra Point

Arguably one of the best point breaks in the world, Kirra has endured sand pumping and groyne changes yet still delivers perfection. It came alive again during the TC Alfred swell in 2025. From Michael Peterson’s timeless cutback in Morning of the Earth to its many World Tour showdowns, Kirra remains sacred ground. Spectators gather on the Big Groyne or Kirra Hill to watch the magic unfold. Home of the Kirra Surfriders Club.

The Snapper Superbank

A modern marvel, the Superbank transformed Snapper Rocks, Rainbow Bay, and Greenmount into one endless ride thanks to Tweed’s sand pumping project. Rides can stretch up to 800 metres. Local legend Damon Harvey once clocked a five-minute wave from Snapper to the Kirra Bakery in 2004. Home to the Snapper Surfriders Club.

Dbah (Duranbah Beach)

Once known as Flagstaff Beach, Dbah is a lifesaver for Gold and Tweed Coast surfers and one of the most consistent beach breaks in the world. Just across the border in NSW, it catches almost any swell and works best on SE swell with SW to SE winds. Known for its punchy peaks and playful tubes, it’s home to the Dbah Boardriders.

The Pass, Byron Bay

Palm Valley (The Pass) is a famous right-hander with a suck-up section before Spectator Rock, peeling past Thomo’s Rock, Clarke’s Caravan Park, and reeling into Stewie’s — Byron Bay’s version of the Superbank. Excellent for learners and longboarders, with high-performance sections for shortboarders from 2ft to 6ft. Works best on ENE swell with SE winds, and dolphins often share the lineup.

Broken Head

A mythical point break, Broken Head is high-performance and better suited to shortboarders due to fast-peeling sand-bottom sections. Like The Pass, it works best on ENE swell with SW to S winds and can handle up to 6ft+. Home to the Byron Bay Boardriders.

Lennox Head

The premier North Coast point break, Lennox is a long, powerful right that demands respect. A declared National Surfing Reserve, it fires on SE to S swells with SW to SE winds, handling 4ft to 12ft. Paddlers must navigate basalt boulders, but the ride is iconic. George Greenough immortalised a wave out past Red Rock in Innermost Limits of Pure Fun (1969). Home to the Le-Ba Boardriders.

Angourie Point, Yamba

One of the best rocky point breaks on the East Coast, Angourie can handle 3ft to 12ft+ on an ENE swell. It starts with an outside slab take-off, hooks into a sideways bowl, and peels between the headland and Life & Death section — the name says it all. Suited to experienced shortboarders. Like Lennox also a National Surfing Reserve. Home to the Angourie Boardriders.