Overview
Despite our country being one that's girt by sea, as our anthem reminds us, we've become rather obsessed with waves of the man-made kind of late. Surfing legend Kelly Slater intends to open his second surf ranch on the Sunshine Coast and NSW's Hawkesbury region is getting a giant wave pool and luxury resort come 2022. But, most excitingly, Australia's first inland surf park Urbnsurf, near the Melbourne Airport, finally started pumping waves in 2020. Now, the Urbnsurf team is setting its sights on three more landlocked locations across Australia. Because, these days, you no longer need the beach to be able to hang ten.
After a tumultuous first year at the Melbourne location due to the global pandemic — and with the on-site Three Blue Ducks' all-day diner now open — Urbnsurf is set to open locations in Sydney, Brisbane and Perth.
The 3.2-hectare Sydney spot got approved way back in 2017 and, after the success of the Melbourne outpost, the team is now focusing on delivering its NSW project at Sydney Olympic Park. Construction on the Sydney surf lagoon is expected to commence in 2021. While an exact opening date is yet to be announced, the wave pool is set to make a splash come summer 2022/2023 — don't worry, we'll be sure to keep you updated.
Render of Urbnsurf Sydney
Meanwhile, the company also plans to make headway on projects in Brisbane and Perth. With the progress of these two locations still very much in the early stages, the details are under wraps for now.
Urbnsurf Melbourne powers up to 1000 waves per hour, day and night. Plus, every wave has six different take-off spots equating to 3600 surfable positions every hour. So, if that's anything to go by, Sydneysiders, Brisbanites and Perthians can expect A-class surfing year-round — come rain or shine.
Urbnsurf Sydney is slated to open in summer 2022/2023. Urbnsurf's Brisbane and Perth locations and opening dates are yet to be announced — but we'll be sure to keep you posted.
Top image: Courtesy Urbnsurf and Ed Sloane