One of the best daily surf reports anywhere, Realsurf keeps on top of the swell in Australia with the help of a small army of volunteer coast watchers. Coverage is best for Australia's East Coast (not surprising when 80% of the surfing population lives on the East Coast).
Another fine tool for surfers who can't check the waves from their bedroom window is Coastalwatch, Live Video and Surf Reports. Nearly as good as being there.
TRACKS: The Australian Grommet's Bible, updated for the digital age. Since Tracks went glossy, it's lost a bit of its grubby appeal and Wevel Knievel's no match for Cap't Goodvibes, but all the news and filth pics are still here.
Hey, what's that stuff in the water? Find out and what you can do about it at Surfrider Australia's site.
The Sydney Morning Herald: The local paper for Australia's biggest city. Check the online classifieds for info on apartments, jobs and used cars.
CitySearch Sydney: Has lots of info about what's on in Sydney -- movies, concerts, clubs and more. A must for newcomers to the Emerald City.
Not exactly reknown for its nightlife, Adelaide nonetheless has a few joints worth checking out. See Adelaide Pubs, Clubs & Hotels for splash.
The Youth Hostels are a great organization and the Australian website provides a host of useful info for travellers. YHA Hostelling Australia.
The Travellers Contact Point is an excellent service for vagabonds in Sydney. Go to their office in the Dymocks Building on George St. in Sydney's CBD for mail pickup, jobs, mobile phones, cheap tours and tickets, internet service, bulletin boards, housing, visa info, travel insurance and vaccinations.They also have offices in Melbourne, NZ and The UK.
TNT is an institution for Aussies in London. The antipodean equivalent is a good resource for travellers in Oz: TNT Magazine - Oz
AUSTRALIA'S SURFING LIFE is probably Australia's most colorful surf mag. Printed on heavy stock with beautiful photos, ASL makes the American mags look weak by comparison. Too bad the editors don't put the same amount of effort into their website.
Castaway: a remarkable photo archive of Australian surfing. Log in to find tales and pics of surfing the wild south coast of Oz from 1959 to the present.
INSIDE SURFING: Old soul; new media. Chris Beacham's been at it since 1957 and this site reflects some of that experience. Cool pics, too
One of a growing library of tourist sites, the Internet Guide to Northern New South Wales has a lot of handy tips for folks planing a trip to this lovely part of Australia.
Real-Surfing.com has a real good site. Great design; lots of beta on surfing Oz.
The Gong has surf conditions and a cam pointed at one of Illawarra's beaches.
Surf Dreaming on the Mornington Peninsula is a useful site for those planning to surf Victoria.
Planning a trip waay down under? Tasmania has recently logged on with a couple of cool sites: Southern Ocean and Surfing Tasmania-Tasmania Surfing Adventures. Bring your rubber.
If you're planning a trip to Oz from the States, you might consider buying a couple boards while you're there. Some of the best shapers in the world live and work in Australia and the exchange rate makes the sticks a bargain. Check Surfboards in Australia for the big listing, or visit my fav, Byrne, near Wollongong.
New Zealand:
Here's a new site from "The Mainland", the great South Island of New Zealand. Way cooler than the North Island and excellent pics too. Check out Surf Aotearoa.
Travel.com's NZ section: A good place to start planning that trip to New Zealand.
The Herald: One of New Zealand's leading dailies. News and info on apartments, jobs and cars.
New Zealand Surfing Magazine has slick production values and some useful content.
Nearly dormant, the New Zealand Surf Guide at least lists spots in NZ.
SURF NEW ZEALAND: Great design on this evolving Kiwi site.
