Howdy all, planning a windsurf holiday in QLD, will fly into Brisbane, meet my brother from NZ, then hire a camper and travel north. What windsurf venues are an absolute must on the list of places to visit? When will be a good time of the year, was planning to go anywhere from May to Sept?
Lake Cootharabah- the lake as it is known is a must- make sure you catch up with Tony Matter and his club while up there.
Depends on how far you want to travel and if you want surf or flat water.
Spring/Summer for N/NE or SE winds, Winter in Southern Qld isn't real good apart from occasional good westerlies.
Several spots on Gold Coast and Brisbane - Heading north out of Brisbane would suggest Golden Beach at Caloundra, Lake Cootharaba near Tewantin, several spots at Hervey Bay, Burrum Heads river mouth, Elliot Heads. Then over to others north from there.
Cheers and Enjoy!!
Select to expand quotefiriebob said..
Green Island FNQ mid year !
I think firiebob is right that time of years is better up north isn't it? Hope so cause I'm keen to do a run to Cairns around mid year 
Thanks for all the suggestions - the lake sounds good, we're after flat water and a bit of speed... Will go as far as Cairns, as Green Island comes highly recommended!
From May to Sept, the dominant wind is created by a ridge of high pressure up the Queensland coast. North of Rocky / Bundaberg (others to please confirm?) it is quite reliable and predominantly SE. South of Rocky / Bundaberg it is far less realiable and often from the NW. The further North you go the more reliable SE wind stream.
I suggest anything north and including Mackay. Cairns and Green Island is your best bet.
Here in Mackay, in my view, we get our best wind through winter. As John340 said, we get really good consistent south easterlies due to the ridge formed along the coast here due to the highs coming across the southern states. Generally if there's a high over SA you can expect 15-20 knots. The best flat water spot in a s/e here is Far Beach (AKA Illawong Beach). It is quite tidal hence why it is reasonably flat, you can get a good two hours either side of high tide, best when high tide is around midday. On a nepe tide you may get more than four hours sailing, water flattens out more with the outgoing tide.
Best part about sailing in winter here is the beautiful clear water and the absence of box jelly fish and the water is probably warmer than what you're used to so you may be able to get away without a wet suit.
Good luck and hope you get to experience beautiful windy Nth Qld in winter!
Select to expand quoteOrange Whip said..
Here in Mackay, in my view, we get our best wind through winter. As John340 said, we get really good consistent south easterlies due to the ridge formed along the coast here due to the highs coming across the southern states. Generally if there's a high over SA you can expect 15-20 knots. The best flat water spot in a s/e here is Far Beach (AKA Illawong Beach). It is quite tidal hence why it is reasonably flat, you can get a good two hours either side of high tide, best when high tide is around midday. On a nepe tide you may get more than four hours sailing, water flattens out more with the outgoing tide.
Best part about sailing in winter here is the beautiful clear water and the absence of box jelly fish and the water is probably warmer than what you're used to so you may be able to get away without a wet suit.
Good luck and hope you get to experience beautiful windy Nth Qld in winter!
Crocs ?
Great advice, thanks to all. What wind prediction should I look at on Windguru - QLD? There's a choice of 16 spots, but I recognise only a few... What should I be looking at to get the wind prediction for say Cairns? Green Island? Mackay?
