| 
| 
| 
|
National Surfing Reserves
National surfing reserves honour surfing and its unique place in the Australian way of life. Australian surfers, and our surf breaks, are famous throughout the world while in New South Wales surfing is part of the social and economic fabric of many coastal communities. The legal protection government provides a national surfing reserve highlights the significance of the Crown land estate in ensuring our beaches are accessible to surfers and everyone else who wants to enjoy them. The Land and Property Management Authority will continue to support communities seeking reserve status for iconic surfing locations.
Australias beaches
Australian beaches are world renowned for their crystal clear waters and white sandy shores. With over 80% of all Australians living within 50km of the coastline, its no wonder so many of us enjoy our beaches and the world-class surfing breaks they provide. As surfing has grown into a popular pastime, so too has the need to acknowledge its history, culture and contribution to Australias lifestyle.
Crown Lands
The Land and Property Management Authority, Crown Lands Division has moved to legally reserve declared sites as Crown reserves for the public purpose of surfing recreation under the Crown Lands Act 1989. This offers legal protection to a national surfing reserve and highlights the significance of the Crown estate in the surfing culture and Australian lifestyle.
Why do we need surfing reserves?
Surfing reserves recognise sites of environmental, cultural and historic significance in Australian surf culture. This recognition helps raise awareness about the importance of protecting our precious coastal environment. The Land and Property Management Authority fully supports the national surfing reserve initiative and has been working in partnership with the community and the National Surfing Reserves Committee to create these reserves under the Crown Lands Act 1989.
What is a surfing reserve?
A surfing reserve is a dedicated area that is protected for use by the general public and surfing community. To date, some 24 sites along Australias 37,000km coastline have been identified for dedication by the Sites National Reference Group. The national surfing reserve initiative recognises these sites and ensures that they remain protected for generations to come. This model is a first in recognising the iconic status surfing has achieved throughout the world.
In New South Wales there are now seven surfing reserves.
Angourie National Surfing Reserve
Angourie, on the NSW north coast near Yamba, was the first legally protected National Surfing Reserve in NSW. Angourie is legendary amongst the surfing community for its breaks and natural beauty.
Crescent Head National Surfing Reserve
Crescent Head National Surfing Reserve stretches along 3.5 km of spectacular coastline north of Port Macquarie. Crescent Head became a well worn trail for surfers following World War II and became widely recognised as a breeding ground for long board surfing in Australia.
Lennox National Surfing Reserve
Lennox National Surfing Reserve is just north of Ballina on the north coast and includes the world-famous Lennox Point. The breaks at Lennox have been surfed by thousands of men, women and children since the late 1950s when surfing gained popularity throughout NSW.
Cronulla Beaches National Surfing Reserve
Cronulla Beaches National Surfing Reserve was declared in September 2008 and is one of southern Sydneys premier surf spots. Cronulla is home to numerous former world champion surfers as well as other important figures in the development of Australian surfing.
View the map of Cronulla Beaches National Surfing Reserve (PDF 158 kb)
Merewether Beaches National Surfing Reserve
Merewether Beaches National Surfing Reserve was declared in March 2009 and is one of Newcastle's iconic surfing beaches. The reserve stretches from Dixon Park in the north to Burwood Beach in the south, some two kilometres of spectacular coastline.
Killalea National Surfing Reserve
Killalea National Surfing Reserve was declared in June 2009 and covers "The Farm" and "Mystics" beaches within the Killalea State Park, near Shellharbour on the NSW south coast. The state park features 250 hectares of pristine coastal reserve with some of the best surfing beaches on the south coast.
North Narrabeen National Surfing Reserve
North Narrabeen National Surfing Reserve was declared in October 2009 and is a popular surfing beach on Sydney's northern coastline. The reserve covers 50 hectares of land and water along one kilometre of coastline taking in part of Narrabeen Lagoon which plays a role in the natural processes that make the surf breaks of the beach so unique.
Want to know more?
For more information on National Surfing Reserves and the Sites National Reference Group: natsurfsites@sydney.net or call 13000 LANDS.
National surfing reserves (PDF 750 kb)
