Mick Fanning's 6 best Ozzie surf spots

Mick Fanning is two-time world surfing champion. He was born in New South Wales, Australia, and in this exclusive piece for WideWorld, he reveals his top surf spots in Oz

Snapper, Gold Coast, Queensland (December to March)

It really came on when the council started dredging sand out of the Tweed River and pumping it just off Snapper Rocks. The sand filled up Rainbow Bay and Greenmount and suddenly, stretching from Snapper down towards Kirra, we had Australia’s longest right. It gets ultra crowded but on a good day, 10 to 20 second barrels are common. Next time you hear it’s on, book your flights.

Look out for: Pro surfer Dean Morrison, he’s a snake, and the kamikaze mal riders.

Accommodation: Try the Komune at Coolangatta. Close to the waves and it has a neat pool and bar area. www.komuneresorts.com

Bells Beach, Victoria (March to October)

Bells is the most important wave in Australian surf history. This burger may not look like much from the beach but when you take off on a “Bells special” you instantly feel the powerful surge of the Southern Ocean, and with that big wall stretching on forever in front of you it’s hard not to be impressed. After a good Bells session you’ll understand why the top 45 look forward to the Rip Curl Pro, the longest running surf comp in the world, every year.

Look out for: The shorebreak, on big days it’ll getcha good.

Accommodation: Rent a house or apartment in Jan Juc, it’s not far from Bells. Try www.torquayholidays.com.au for good deals.

Gnarloo, Western Australia (June to September)

In the nor-west desert, open to big Indian Ocean swells is Gnarloo which is regarded by some as one of the heaviest breaks in Oz because of its remote location. The wave rifles for hundreds of metres, barrelling over boils caused by shallow sections in the reef. Camping is the only means of accommo so prepare well.

Look out for: Sharks and angry locals.

Accommodation: Tents. Try www.gnaraloo.com/main/3-mile-camp

Burleigh Heads, Gold Coast, Queensland (February to May)

Big clean Burleigh is a dream. You’ll duck behind sheet glass lips that pitch wide and run for hundreds of metres. On bigger days The Cove serves up some of throatiest, fastest pits on the east coast. A solid pit at Burleigh is unforgettable.

Look out for: sets when jumping off the slippery rocks.

Accommodation: The Gemini apartments look over Burleigh and have great views up to Surfers Paradise. www.geminicourt.com.au

Lennox Head, North Coast, NSW (February to May)

Another wave close to my heart. I’ve had a bunch of unforgettable sessions out at Lennox. With a solid south swell running Lennox starts to fire. Aside from the actual wave it’s just beautiful spot to sit in the ocean.

Look out for: The tricky entry and exit spots over the boulders. Not a wave for beginners.

Accommodation: There’s plenty of options in Lennox. Try www.lennox-head.net/accommodation to find something that suits you.

Your own secret spot, (all year)

Australia has so much surfable coast and even though most of it’s been discovered there’s still so many waves breaking each day with nobody on them. One of my favourite things to do is explore new spots I haven’t surfed before. On your next surf mission don’t use maps or surf travel guides, take tracks that aren’t accessible by road and you will eventually stumble across a beachie, reef or offshore bommie and nobody will be around. If it has been surfed you won’t know. Rip in!

Look out for: Empty line-ups and good times.

Accommodation: Plenty of camping grounds along the way. If I were you I’d get a tent, an old car, a map and do the Aussie coastline that way. You will have a ball!

For more on Mick, visit: www.mickfanning.com.au