Ace Rental Cars Blog

There’s something special about finding your own break, on a beach you’ve got all to yourself. Australia is home to some world famous surf beaches, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any hidden gems left. With an Ace rental car, you can chase the swells along quiet highways and take your time exploring surf towns that still feel off the map. Here are some of the country’s most remote and rewarding surfing spots to reach by road.

Cactus Beach, South Australia

Few places capture the spirit of remote surfing like Cactus Beach, on the edge of the Nullarbor Plain. The drive takes you through open desert and big skies leading to a stretch of coast where three breaks peel perfectly over reef. The water is cold, the conditions change fast, and there are no crowds or comforts, but that’s exactly the appeal. Camp near the dunes, bring supplies, and embrace the wildness of it all.

Red Bluff, Western Australia

Further west, near Carnarvon, Red Bluff sits at the edge of Ningaloo Reef and offers a truly unique experience: desert cliffs dropping into crystal-clear barrels. The drive up the coast is long and dusty, but it’s worth every kilometre. Campgrounds overlook the point break, and evenings are spent around beach fires watching the sun drop into the Indian Ocean. It’s remote, rough, and absolutely world-class when the swell hits. Make sure you’ve packed enough water, food, and fuel, because this is off-grid surfing at its best.

Agnes Water, Queensland

At the opposite end of the map, Queensland’s Agnes Water is the northernmost surf town before the Great Barrier Reef begins to block the swell. The drive from Brisbane takes about six hours, winding through cane fields and coastal ranges before the road opens onto golden sand. The waves here are mellow, and perfect for longboarders or those looking to unwind after chasing heavier breaks further south. It’s one of those rare places where you can surf in the morning and explore rainforest creeks or snorkel coral lagoons in the afternoon.

Bicheno, Tasmania

Tasmania’s remote location and freezing cold waters means it doesn’t often make the list for surf spots, but committed surfers know it’s worth the journey (and the shivering!). The east coast drive from Hobart to Bicheno passes through coastal towns, forests, and wild national parks. The water’s colder, but the surf is clean and consistent, with fewer people than anywhere on the mainland. Redbill Beach and nearby breaks offer long rides when the southern swells roll in, and the scenery makes the journey as memorable as the waves.

South Coast, New South Wales

While parts of NSW are known for their crowds, the South Coast still hides plenty of quiet corners. Drive south from Sydney and you’ll find a string of small towns like Bendalong, Bawley Point, and Mystery Bay, where glassy peaks break beneath cliffs and headlands. The roads here hug the coast, with camping grounds and lookout points that feel worlds away from the city. On the right day, you’ll have a beach break all to yourself — except maybe a dolphin or two!

Yorke Peninsula, South Australia

For those who like their surf with a side of solitude, the Yorke Peninsula is a goldmine. About three hours from Adelaide, it’s a maze of dirt roads leading to empty beaches and clean, consistent breaks. Pondalowie Bay and Chinaman’s Point are two of the standouts, with reefs that light up under a steady southwest swell. The local towns are small, friendly, and full of character — think country pubs, surf shacks, and a sense of calm that comes with being this far from anywhere.

Chase the Swell With Ace

If you’re a surfer, you’re always on the lookout for a new place to go. And it’s even sweeter when you come across that spot that nobody else seems to know about. Now, you don’t need to find these spots all on your own. With this guide, and Ace rental car, you’ve got yourself an easy list of surfing spots, and an even easier way of tracking them down.