How's Gold Coast Surf in late September?

[hartr72002]

I will be traveling to the Gold Coast in Australia in late September. I will most likely be staying around Coolangatta so wanted to know what the surf and water temp will be like at that time of the year. Any help would be much appreciated!!

[jaffa1949]

It's a long way from New Jersey, there is surf then, cyclones in the Coral Sea and general winter stuff in southern eastern seas will mean there will be swell.
Since you are from jersey shore etc you won't find the water cold boardshorts and rashie or at most a 1mm top.
Mornings cool, days warm. Potentially very pleasant
Lots of night life.

What you do need to realize is that 200,000 traveling surfers of all makes sizes and ability descend on the Goldie as it is like Florida ( much better surf though) for lots of Aussies too who don't go to Bali or elsewhere to avoid the winter further south.

The good surfers on the Goldie are excellent, the rest are carnage in the making, lots of spots, explore some of the lesser name beaches and the beach breaks you might get an uncrowded surf.
If you like company then Snapper Rocks, Kirra, Currumbin all can do it for the masses.
Me, with the Aussie dollar so high I go elsewhere!
But I think the possibility of fun is there for you. Australia is nothing like you've seen back home if the surf doesn't do it for you go out and play tourist

[hartr72002]

Thanks so much for the info. I was getting worried that the surf wasn't any good in September. The crowds are certainly not favorable but much better than flat surf. I'm going for my honeymoon so we are certainly going to take in all the great tourist attractions but want to try and get in ~5 days of surf. What would be a better option for surf on the East Coast that time of year?

[jaffa1949]

Thanks so much for the info. I was getting worried that the surf wasn't any good in September. The crowds are certainly not favorable but much better than flat surf. I'm going for my honeymoon so we are certainly going to take in all the great tourist attractions but want to try and get in ~5 days of surf. What would be a better option for surf on the East Coast that time of year?

The North of New South Wales if all things go according to plan should provide plenty of surf Byron Bay will also be overrun with tourists but there are other places as you go further south a 12 hour drive to Sydney you head deeper and deeper into what we call winter here,3-4 mm wetsuit country don't worry still warmer than a new Jersey winter, you either find or pass legendary breaks. there are surf guide books available. There is not much up there now that is secret so go for it
There is so much your wife and you will appreciate. Keep us posted of your travels, BTW we almost speak the same English, most Australians understand and can respond to American English as we have been culturally bombarded by all your TV shows and films.
+ a warning Australian beer is stronger than any American brew and we drive on the left don't mix the brew and driving.

[hartr72002]

Thanks again for the info. Yeah, funny how that English language got changed around by us Yanks. I guess the Brits own it and you guys come second so I'll just have to adjust

We plan on spending ~ 1week around: Brisbane, Gold Coast, Lamington National Park, Tangalooma. Then fly up for another week around Cairns, Daintree, Tamborine national park. Let me know if you have any additional must see stops on the way.

Cheers!!

[jaffa1949]

It's a bit of a road trip but if you can go to the Undarra lava tubes in land from Cairns, they are amazing.
A day trip from Cairns I recommend is the train up to Kuratha and then the sky way back.
Make sure you go out to somewhere on the Great Barrier Reef and snorkel.
Watch out for the Drop Bears, be sure and ask the Daintree guys to point them out to you!