Charlie Smith's been on a great kiteboarding trip up the east coast of Australia during the off season, travelling from Richard Bransons private island in Noosa, up to Fraser island and then way up north on the Australian Kite Surfari. 

Despite being relatively new on the Cabrinha team, Charlie has spent most of his life on the British Virgin Islands - home to Richard Branson himself. Maybe that's why the 29 year old got the special invite to Mr Virgin Australia's personal island in Noosa called Make Peace Island. Charlie's been the 'Special Projects manager' on Necker island for the last few years - and has helped organise the invite only BVI kite jam earlier this year. The BVI Kite Jam was a pretty upmarket affair, with big names like Pete Cabrinha himself going along and staying on some pretty luxurious yachts for the week long kiteboarding event. 

So, back to Richard Branson - that guy looks like he's about to collapse he's so nervous! You'd think a guy of his stature would be used to a filmed interview... Maybe thats why Charlie high tailed it out of there and headed up to the Australia Kite Surfari. 

If you haven't heard about the Australia Kite Surfari - it's a pretty full on kite holiday up north. Basically you fly into Cairns; jump in a 4wd and drive 500km through some of the most amazing rainforest you'll ever see, and emerge on a wind swept beach in the middle of nowhere. Expect to take 7m and 9m kites for the trip - it blows 30 knots day and night through the winter season when trade winds are strongest. It's a serious adventure, and after 4 days you'll be absolutely exhausted from so much kiting! Its definitely one of those trips you've got to do once in your life though, so check out their website if this sounds like your kind of trip. 

Check out the video below for a great little preview of what the North QLD coast has to offer, as well as a little intro in Fiji and the Sunshine Coast.