right choice for traveling in australia

100 L FSW and 5.5 and 7.0 sails

Combination drop bear and bull** repellent.

How many boards and sails are you happy to carry? And how much do you weigh.

The saying is that you need two boards to sail in Sydney. One for good wind, and the second one that can float you.

4.2m sail will not get used much in Sydney. Good wind is 20 to 25 knots, but lots of 15-18 knots days. I mostly use 5.3, 5.9 and 6.6m sails, and 78 and 105 litre boards, but I weigh only 66kg.

If you plan to do a lot of windsurfing you would be best to bring your own gear out as I was talking to a Belgian guy the other day and the prices in Europe are much cheaper...However, check the restrictions etc with the airline before you book. IF you want to do the cheap version you could hire cheap campers out here or if you have more to spare buy something cheap and resell before you leave.

Camping grounds cost around 25-30 Euros a night for camping...you could try staying in the van at given destinations but sometimes you could be asked to move on or even fined...On the eastcoast of Australia at least they dont like people staying overnight in vans whereas in Tassie they actually encourage it in many towns.

IF you wanted to touch base with some fellow European tourists you could try putting an ad in www.gumtree.com.au as there seems to be heaps of "backpackers" etc looking for travelling companions etc.

Sorry, cant help with gear questions as I am a newb myself.

Here is a site to get you started on some of the colloquial language but some of it can be very regional depending where you are (NSW/VIC/QLD/WA etc have different terms for many things such as beer sizes and even names of fish etc).

www.koalanet.com.au/australian-slang.html

I think the Law in Australia is that every male Euro that comes to visit Australia must bring at least 3 Single Euro girls, preferably with loose morals..

If you want skinny chicks, hit Bangladesh- average adult weight - 109.33 lbs. Want chunky ones, you can beat Micronesia- average weight 192.68 lb and ranked "the fattest country on Earth". We're ranked 6 th (yipee!), but trying to take out the title.

If ya bored and want to spend the night sleeping in the car, punch in ya missus weight in the link below.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthnews/9345086/The-worlds-fattest-countries-how-do-you-compare.html

Geee...I'm going to be boring with my answer. I did from Cairns to Adelaide with a 4.2,5.0 and a 78L and a surboard. I did the North Island of NZ later with the same gear. In general, I would recommend a 85L and add a 5.7 for some days on flat water for a higher % of time planning and forget the 78L...on east coast.

I was very pleased to have it in Torquay however..that combo seemed to be very good most of the 2 weeks I was there. Note however, I prefer to schlog and surf than be overpowered on a wave's face and I rarely go bigger than 5.0 in the surf, that's what I like...if going out full power is what you like, go bigger.

It was in 2003/2004, now with Quads and new Shape, I will definitely go bigger volume since recent board turn soooo muchhh compare to that time. I really enjoyed all pieces of Oz Land and Kiwi Land..I recommend it to everyone..rent or buy a car and let the wind and wave decide your way.

I traveled from Dec to Feb in Oz and mid-Feb to end of march in North Island of NZ. In NZ the combo 4.2/5.0 and 78L was good no need for bigger. Of course I could squeeze a 5.8 and 100L for some freestyle session, there is some incredible flat water spot in that country...where freestylers wannabie would slides moves for ever!!!! Weight restriction was an issue..so I traveled light...I always travel light anyways, keep it simple. My best trip ever, realllllly liked the humour down under, they are really nice persons...I will definitely go back again..but on the west coast this time...and would like also make a quick sesh in Tasmania...they are not very loud on this forum..I guess they want to keep their secret gem for them..I've seen incredible pictures of down the line and waves and waves.....so probably a nice place to visit. That was a snapshot of year 2003/2004..sailed 3 to 4 times a week in general..did not really track the wind..plenty of surfing....I guess some year could be better..and other could be worst...no rain for almost the entire trip...except in NZ raining 90% of the time. ;-)