Noosa Festival of Surfing

The Noosa Festival of Surfing is an iconic event that celebrates surf culture and is the largest event of its kind in Australia.

The festival, which has been taking place in a world surfing reserve, Noosa Heads, for decades, is a must-attend event for anyone passionate about the sport.

Noosa Festival of Surfing, 2025 Dates, Event Categories, Skate Fest, QLD

Join us on the 14th – 23rd March 2025 at First Point as we celebrate 34 years of this iconic surfing festival held in Noosa Heads, Queensland.

The Noosa Malibu Club founded it back in 1992. It started as an amateur surfing competition, previously known as the Noosa Malibu Classic. Club members then invited their friends to surf the famous right-hand breaks at Noosa, but eventually, the event grew in popularity for local longboarders. By 1996, they introduced a professional surfing division and changed their name to the Noosa Festival of Surfing by 1998.

Today, this festival celebrates the heart of surfing in Noosa, aptly so, as it has been a famous surfing location since the ’50s. Visitors come from near and far to witness more kinds of surfing during the event, including dogs hanging ten, tandem surfers, bodysurfing, professional longboarders, and so much more.

The energy is palpable, with crowds cheering them on from the festival village where a terrific party occurs. There will be a beach bar, cold drinks, a relaxed vibe, activities, and lots of great food and music, so there’s truly something for everyone, even spectators.

Everyone is encouraged to try surfing during the festival. Whether you’re a senior, junior, or in-between, all are welcome. Competitions are held in the following categories: Men’s Logger Pro, Women’s Logger Pro, Noserider, Men’s Open, and Women’s Open.

Noosa’s perfect waves and barrel sections are ideal for sharing the ocean with friends and having a great time in and out of the sea.

The Noosa Festival of Surfing is a legendary surfing event you shouldn’t miss.

Festival Launch Party @ New York Minute

Be there from 5pm to snap up your blank AS Colour tee (free with any food/beverage purchase) and choose from the fresh new designs we’ve whipped up for the festival. Jump on the machine with the elite team at Madebyplasma and bring your vision to life! New York Minute will be pumping out their next level burgers, and we’ve got Gage Roads on hand with a full tap takeover (and yes, the legendary mechanical surfboard!). If you’re after a more chill space, pop into Yorkers Bar at the back of NYM and indulge in a premium cocktail or two.

Whether you’re keen to create, hit the dance floor, or just soak up the vibes, this is where the magic happens. One night only. One chance to print your own unique piece of the festival. See you there!

Noosa Beach Bar

The Noosa Beach Bar has become synonymous with the annual Noosa Festival of Surfing and has evolved over the years into an amazing place to unwind for a drink, enjoy high-quality food, and dance the night away with close friends or new ones. It is one of Australia’s most unique pop-up beach bars, welcoming patrons from all over the world.

This Beach Bar operates from midday to 8 pm daily on Noosa’s main beach during the annual Noosa Festival of Surfing, and it is completely FREE to enter.

There is no better place to soak up the sunshine with an ice-cold cocktail and delicious snacks, or settle in for a weekend session with your mates as you enjoy live tunes from local Sunny Coast musicians and DJs.

The Noosa Beach Bar operates a private function & lounge area available for bookings at select times.

2025 Surfing Divisions

Surfing competitions will run at First Point as a priority. If waves are NOT contestable at First Point, our secondary location is Access 11 (near the Noosa Rivermouth). Our tertiary backup location is Castaways/Sunrise Beach, where competitors and spectators are encouraged to plan ahead and carpool to avoid illegal parking.

Presentations for Juniors are on Sunday 16th March in the Beach Bar from 5 or 6pm pending schedule running on time.

While Presentations for all remaining divisions will take place on Sunday, 17th March, also in the Beach Bar.

GromFest

8-10am: Environmental Awareness
Kids will record as many unique sounds as possible of nature or a place. Examples include animal sounds, water moving, people, etc. Kids are briefed on the activity’s aim and how to use the sound recorder.

The activity is done in groups of 4/5 kids and an adult supervisor. Each group has a sound recorder, a laminated map of the designated area, a sharpie pen and a notepad. Groups have 1 hour to record as many sounds as possible within the designated area. Each recording is marked on the map and listed. Each group nominates their three favourite (or most unique sounds) with prizes given, outlining the most interesting, hardest to guess, most musical, etc.

Fin Wegener will do an interactive musical performance with the kids and their recorded sounds during the closing ceremony.

10-11am: Grom Bash
Meet our local lifeguard legends for a surf safety session & choose your craft for some party waves!

11am-12pm: Closing Ceremony
Interactive performance with Fin Wegener using the sounds recorded in the morning session. Plus PRIZES for the kids!

8am-12pm: Shaping class with Tom and Sunday Wegener (OPTIONAL)
Surfie Shaping class with the master – cost is $475 per spot/board, please email [email protected] for more details and to register.

Noosa Vibe House Beach Bar Takeover

Get ready for Noosa’s biggest beach party of the year, which will be held on Saturday, the 15th, and Sunday, the 16th of March, at the Noosa Festival of Surfing.

ENTRY IS COMPLETELY FREE as Noosa Vibe House takes over the beach bar for the opening weekend of the surfing festival. If you know these guys, you’ll know they can throw a party, so strap in for epic DJ sets, unbeatable party vibes, and a backdrop that dreams are made of.

With an elite lineup of artists spread across two nights, expect a classic beach party with new and old friends. We’re so juiced about this takeover that we’ve even designed a tee around it! Keep an eye out for merch range announcements; this premium design is super limited and won’t last long!

This is a next-level beachfront experience you don’t want to miss. Whether you’re here for the music, the vibes, or just an excuse to let loose on the most beautiful beach in Australia, this is the event to mark in your calendar for Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th March!

VetShopAustralia Surfing Dog Championships

The world’s biggest Surfing Dog Championships held at one of the world’s best beaches is back.

2025 will be the 14th year of this super popular and entertaining event, which sees thousands in attendance watch in awe from any vantage point along Noosa’s famous First Point.

The event in 2025 will take place on Saturday, March 15th, kicking off at around 3 p.m. with a showcase on the beach from about 2 p.m., where you can meet the dogs and their friendly owners.

The tireless work of VetShopAustralia and Simparica Trio continues to make this amazing event possible. The Surfing Dog Championships showcase the best surfing dog talent around Australia while also promoting the importance of waterproof parasite prevention and pet health.

This event is entirely FREE and not one you want to miss. Get there early to get your spot on the beach, 3pm start! DON’T BE LATE!

Welcome to Country

Come celebrate the 34th Noosa Festival of Surfing with us by enjoying the official opening ceremony and Welcome to Country with Lyndon Davis, @ 4pm on Saturday 15th March.

The Surfing Dogs will be on earlier in the day, so check that out and head over to the beach bar where all the fun is happening.

The Annual Paddle Out w/Layne Beachley

Join Surfing Festival Chairman John Finlay and friends for the traditional mixing of the waters ceremony on Saturday 15th March from 4:45pm on Noosa Main Beach.

The traditional mixing of the water ceremony dates back several decades in the Festival and is a popular event that people from every corner of the globe can participate.

Representatives from all over the world will converge on Noosa beach, placing a vile of water from their home beach in a custom made wooden bowl celebrating unity and harmony.

Followed by the mixing of the waters ceremony, we will continue with our annual paddle out where everyone is encouraged to join us for the official opening of the 2025 Surfing Festival. The paddle out will be led by 7 time world champion – Layne Beachley.

The event starts at 4:45pm sharp, don’t be late.

Junior Presentations Ceremony

Join us at the Noosa Festival of Surfing Junior Presentations from 5pm at the Beach Bar as we celebrate the sport’s rising stars!

These talented young surfers, competing in U15 and U18 girls’ and boys’ divisions, have showcased incredible skill, passion, and dedication throughout the event. Many also take on the open divisions, proving they already make waves at the highest level.

The junior divisions are a stepping stone for future world champions, including our very own home-grown champs, Josh Constable and Harrison Roach, who became World Champions in 2023.

Come along to cheer them on, enjoy the beach bar vibes, and raise a glass to the future of surfing. These groms are doing us proud, and their journey is just beginning!

St Patrick’s Day @ The Beach Bar!

Grab your shamrocks and surfboards, it’s St. Paddy’s Day on Monday 17 March. So why not join us for a unique opportunity to celebrate the luck of the Irish with the sand between your toes at the Noosa Beach Bar.

We will have a very limited supply of Guinness available at the bar until sold out! Everyone is welcome to join.

We also expect a very special guest appearance from a famous Irish DJ who now resides in Noosa. So get around the fun and see you there.

Bar opens at midday until 8pm daily.

LOCO MONDAYS @ THE BEACH BAR

What started as a tiny Monday night party in Pucca (a small Indian Gin restaurant in Noosa) quickly became the longest-standing house music night the Sunshine Coast has ever seen.

With such a strong South American and European community in Noosa, the Loco boys were able to connect and consistently play music that our town had never seen.

After taking over and selling out numerous venues on the Sunshine Coast, we’re stoked to announce that Loco Mondays will be making its debut during the Noosa Festival of Surfing.

With a stacked line-up featuring international and local DJs, this is one not to be missed. To make things even more appealing, Loco Mondays happens to fall on one of the biggest International celebrations on the planet—ST PATRICK’S DAYS! It’s sure to be a great evening of live music at the Noosa Beach Bar.

Salty Brains Trivia Night at Matsos Brewery

SALTY BRAINS TRIVIA is back in 2025!

Join the crew from Surfers for Climate at Matso’s Brewery in Eumundi for a tree change during the Noosa Festival of Surfing. The trivia night will take place on Monday night, March 17th.

Come early for the surfboard buy/swap/sell from 3pm (no tickets required). Bring your unwanted boards and some cash to trade up and help reduce unnecessary waste.

We will also have a pop-up surf art exhibition from Coolum’s very own Owen Cavanagh of Studio 53. Come and check out some of his work, plus various pieces from other local artists.

This is trivia on steroids and we certainly recommend getting a ticket early as this event will sell out!

The Rip Curl Locals Day

For generations, there has been a healthy rivalry in the waves between longboarders, shortboarders and surf club members. Rarely does it boil over into anything more than a little friendly banter, but the differences, and the boundaries, remain.

Several years ago, Noosa surfer Dane Wilson noticed this distinct segregation and searched for a way to overcome it. His answer: the Locals Day.

Incorporated into the Noosa Festival’s celebration of surfing, The Rip Curl Locals Day brings together teams from each stable – the Noosa Malibu Club, Noosa Boardriders and Noosa Surf Lifesaving Club – in a day of fun, camaraderie and friendly competition.

Not your conventional surf contest, The Rip Curl Locals Day incorporates such events as softboard shorebreak bashes, relay races and other divisions based not so much on skill but instead, inspired by a kindred love of ocean activities.

2025 welcomes back the Rip Curl Locals Day to the sands of Noosa’s Main Beach for another day of fun, laughter, team spirit and, above everything, a connection across the boundaries of how we enjoy the ocean in our own, unique ways.

To participate in the locals’ day, please meet Dane and the gang out the front of the Beach Bar from 3pm on Tuesday 18th March. Participation is entirely free and all are welcome to join whether you belong to a surf / boardriding club or not.

She to Sea Art Show @ Halse Lodge

She to Sea is an all-female art exhibition that has run in conjunction with the Noosa Festival of Surfing since 2018. It celebrates women coming together to share their love for the ocean, surf, art, photography, and surf wear.

Sunshine Coast Artist and surf photographer Tracy Naughton of ‘Let Me Sea’ had the idea for She to Sea a few years back as a way of women supporting each other through their work and passion for the ocean. ‘I am so stoked to be gearing up for our 8th annual exhibition, it is so important to me and all the girls involved, we have some new-comers this year and we can’t wait to share new work.’

Tracy’s idea originally stemmed from a desire to belong to something larger than herself, to build a network for women in the creative surf industry. “We are beyond excited to welcome some of the leading women’s surf photographers and artisans”.

Halse Lodge will host the She to Sea art show on Tuesday, 18th March with a 5pm start.

Halse Lodge has an amazing bar and restaurant setup. Make sure you come along, check out some amazing art and enjoy a meal and a drink.

By the way, don’t forget to attend Tracy’s mini market located in the beach bar on Thursday 20th March. A great opportunity for people to shop for little knick knacks for home, art, surf apparel and more.

Surviving to Thriving – Noosa Heads

Join Us for an Inspiring Evening of Films, Music, and Community!

Presented in collaboration with the Noosa Festival of Surfing and the Noosa International Surfilm Festival, this special event celebrates the healing power of nature, surfing, and community through impactful films, live music, and meaningful conversations.

Arrive at 6pm to enjoy live music from local talent Emma Tomlinson. Grab your drink, claim the best seats, and reconnect with your mates. The bar will be open to set the vibe for a fantastic evening!

INNoosa Magazine Fashion Show

Come and experience the ultimate fashion adventure at IN Noosa Magazine’s SEASIDE FASHION PARADE on Wednesday March 19, 2025.

We’re turning up the heat and bringing you the sizzling hot trends from our beloved boutiques, all on a stunning seaside catwalk!

As an added treat, our fabulous catwalk looks are being curated and presented by the divine Carlie Wacker who will also be the emcee for the event alongside the always entertaining, John Caruso 💃

Meet us on-site at the Noosa Festival of Surfing, where the beach vibes meet high fashion. Don’t miss out on this incredible event – mark your calendar and get ready to strut your stuff!

Noosa Longboard Pro presented by Sumup

Over 50 of the Australia / Oceania region’s best up-and-coming longboarders are expected to compete in this year’s Noosa Longboard Pro presented by SumUp Payments World Surf League (WSL) Longboard Qualifying Series (LQS) event. The event will return to the picture-perfect beaches of Noosa and run from March 20 – 23 as part of the world-famous Noosa Festival of Surfing.

Playing as the second of two LQS events in the Australia / Oceania region, the Noosa Longboard Pro, presented by SumUp Payments, will be the event that decides the last of the region’s qualifiers for the 2025 WSL Longboard Tour. At the end of the event, the top man and top woman on the Australia / Oceania Regional Rankings will earn a spot on the international tour with a chance of becoming a WSL Longboard World Champion.

There is already plenty of excitement and anticipation building around the 2025 event, with WSL Longboard Tour competitors Declan Wyton, Kai Ellice Flint, Tully White, Ben Considine, and Kirra Molnar, as well as 2006 World Longboard Champion and Noosa Heads local Josh Constable, expected to compete.

The 2025 Noosa Longboard Pro presented by SumUp Payments will be held from March 20 to 23, 2025, as part of the Noosa Festival of Surfing in Noosa, Queensland.

Mini Surf Festival Markets

Come along to our Thursday twilight mini market (20th March) at the Noosa Festival of Surfing beach bar located in front of the Noosa Surf Club.

Unwind for the afternoon with a selection of tasty beverages and some delicious food from the ‘Beach Bar Bites’ whilst you spend time browsing through a selection of talented local artisans with surf inspired art, apparel and more.

This is a one-time market that only happens during the surf festival. It’s a great afternoon with live music and great vibes.

The Life and Death of Westerly Windina

In the 1960s and 70s, Australian surfer Peter Drouyn was a towering figure in surfing. He not only dominated the international competitive ranks but also revolutionized the way modern surf competitions are conducted. His introduction of the man-on-man format brought excitement and direct competition to the sport, marking a significant departure from the traditional, more chaotic contest formats.

Drouyn’s boundless ambition was evident; he played a key role in introducing surfing to China, significantly expanding the sport’s global reach and impact.

But behind the macho surf star persona and the adoration of contemporaries was an athlete who felt ostracized by a culture that was often hypermasculine and sexist. In the 1980s, Drouyn drifted away from competitive surfing and disappeared from the public eye.

In 2008, years after nearly drowning in a traumatic and life-changing surfing accident, Drouyn suddenly resurfaced by coming out as a trans woman on national television. Her new name, she said, was Westerly Windina. “It was a supernova,” Westerly said of her gender awakening. “It just kicked in one night, and suddenly Peter went; Westerly was there.” The surf community, and Australia at large, were astonished. Though she’d once been a top-tier athlete with sponsorships and a burgeoning acting career, Westerly was now living in public housing on the Gold Coast – alone, poor, and often taunted by her neighbours.

The Life and Death of Westerly Windina explores Westerly’s upbringing and her years as a surfing titan and follows her into a new chapter as she searches for acceptance from friends, family, a still-hyper-masculine sport, and most importantly, from herself.

A special screening of The Life and Death of Westerly Windina will take place at the Noosa J Theatre on Thursday, March 20th, as part of the Noosa Festival of Surfing presented by the Surf Film Archive.

Mi Casa Su Casa @ New York Minute

Get ready for Mi Casa Su Casa, the ultimate house party hitting New York Minute on Thursday, 20th March, during the Noosa Festival of Surfing! Hosted in collaboration with Casa Spirits, this night is about good vibes, great drinks, and unforgettable memories.

Get inked on the spot with live flash tattoos, epic cocktails, and a lineup of top DJs keeping the energy high all night. Whether fresh off the beach or keen for a party, this is the place to be.

With free entry, an unbeatable atmosphere, and a crowd of legends celebrating surf culture in style, Mi Casa Su Casa is set to be one of the best nights of the festival. See you for a night to remember at New York Minute (5 Sunshine Beach Rd, Noosa Heads).

Pink Nose Revolution Fundraising Dinner

The Noosa Festival of Surfing is delighted to announce that it will hold a fundraising dinner to benefit the not-for-profit Pink Nose Revolution (PNR) during the 2025 Festival. PNR will undertake an initial soft launch at the Festival’s Gala Community Evening on Friday 21 February 2025.

The first formal event for PNR will be the Dinner on Friday 21 March 2025 at the Noosa Boathouse along the stunning Noosa River. The evening will run from 6pm to 10pm. Tickets are $150/person (+ GST + booking fee). Tables are available for a 10% discount, $1,350 (+ GST + booking fee) if made in a single booking. The Boathouse function room only holds 100 guests for dinner, so it is recommended that you book early.

A panel discussion about the history of PNR & its mission, compered by Noosa Councillor Mr Tom Wegener, will be held during the evening. Panellists will be:

• Mr Andy Abel (Founder & President of the Surfing Association of PNG & Creator of the Pink Nose Revolution)
• Ms Sylvia Pascoe (Secretary of the SAPNG, candidate for 2022 PNG Parliament elections, PNG marketing guru & event manager)
• Ms Hannah Joku (PNG Domestic Violence survivor)
• Mr Max Uechtritz (award winning journalist & independent documentary film maker)
• Dr Danny O’Brien (Bond University Associate Professor whose interests include sustainable surf tourism & organisational change in sport)

The trailer to the documentary film that Max Uechtritz has been making will also be shown.

After dinner, a fundraising auction will be held.

Tracks Party Tour #2

The Tracks Party Tour is an electrifying series of national events celebrating the rich heritage of surfing culture and its seamless integration with music and entertainment.

The Tracks Party Tour also offers revellers the unique opportunity to ‘party with purpose’ through our charity partnership with Surfers for Climate, which promotes ocean protection at every stop.

Having successfully completed 5 Tracks Party events in 2024, Tracks has stepped things up for 2025, more than doubling the number of shows and aligning with some of the country’s top surf events and festivals, including our wonderful Noosa Festival of Surfing!

As an official partner of the Noosa Festival of Surfing, Tracks will throw down a sick party at Villa Noosa Hotel on Friday 21st March from 7:30pm. Tickets are selling like hot cakes, so get around it and don’t miss out.

Remember to warm up for the Tracks Party at our awesome beach bar, which is open from midday to 8 p.m. daily!

The Surf Film Archive & Headland Live

For the last five years THE SURF FILM ARCHIVE has been digging into the dusty cupboards of our original surf filmmakers to find and restore Australia and New Zealand’s lost surf films. After sold-out performances at Coffs Harbour, Byron Bay and Noosa, salty legends HEADLAND return in full seven-piece band mode with another batch of rare footage from the birth of Australian surfing.

Featuring remastered lost Paul Witzig reels, Dick Hoole footage from the earliest days of surf exploration in Indonesia, classic moments from the Bob Evans archive and excerpts from many more rarely seen classic surf films. Don’t miss it!

Sandiscco – @ Noosa BEACH BAR

For the first time ever, on Saturday, 22nd March, the Noosa Festival of Surfing Beach Bar will be transformed into Sandiscco.
What’s Sandiscco?

Think afternoon sun, surf and sand in your best white linen. A refined, European-inspired beach club event unlike anything the Sunshine Coast has seen before.

We have carefully curated a lineup of the finest DJs, European-style decor, and a seamless mix of house and tropical beats to set the mood all afternoon.

To celebrate Sandiscco’s official launch, entry is completely free. The event starts at 2 p.m. and runs through sunset until 8 p.m. Sandiscco marks the final Saturday of the Noosa Festival of Surfing, so be sure to arrive early, as space is limited, and entry is not guaranteed.

This is a unique experience you don’t want to miss. To make your stay at Sandiscco even more memorable, grab a private lounge for you and your friends.

Award Ceremony

At the conclusion of the finals held on Sunday, 23rd March, presentations will commence shortly after at the Beach Bar from about 5 p.m. (pending the completion time of the last final and the pack-up of the comp site).

Competitors who participated in the Festival will be there to enjoy its final hours, which include roughly an hour of presentations and speeches to close the Festival for another year.

But don’t worry. Once the presentations wrap up, we will have one last party to celebrate another year of this magnificent event.

Getting There

People join us worldwide, coming by train, plane and car from near and far. To help you navigate your way around the globe, to the Sunshine Coast and even around Noosa Heads, we have compiled a collection of information on routes and transport.

The primary surfing site is at First Point, Noosa Heads, with the beach bar in front of the Noosa Surf Club. We also have events occurring at nearby locations.

Limited parking is available around Hastings Street and along Noosa Parade. However, we highly recommend using public transport, ride-sharing services or other forms of transport such as an e-bike.

BY AIR
From overseas, Brisbane Airport is the most direct major international airport, with regular flights to and from most global destinations. Sunshine Coast Airport is only 30 minutes south of Noosa Heads but has only limited international connections.

From across Australia, Sunshine Coast Airport provides flights from most major cities with the following airlines:
JetStar
Qantas
Virgin Australia
Air New Zealand

BY ROAD

From Brisbane Airport, you can take a Greyhound Coach to the heart of Noosa Heads, or book with Noosa Festival supporters Con-X-ion Transfers, who will take you directly to your accommodation.

Con-X-ion offers all Festival competitors a 10% discount on their standard fares and is also happy to transport boards. Simply quote SURF16 for phone bookings or enter in the Promo Field section online.

Directions (From South)

• Follow Pacific Hwy M1 towards Brisbane
• Take Gateway Mwy, continuing on M1
• Merge with Bruce Hwy north to Sunshine Coast
• Remain on Bruce Hwy(M1) for approx. 90km
• Take Exit 194 State Route 70 Sunshine Mwy, to Buderim/Mooloolaba
• Continue on State Route 70 Sunshine Mwy, following signs for Noosa Heads

Directions (From North)

• Follow Bruce Hwy M1 south towards Brisbane
• After Federal, continue for 6 minutes/8km
• Take Exit 230A, onto Elm Street, towards Cooroy
• At Cooroy, turn left onto Cooroy/Noosa Road. Continue for 11km
• Remain on Bruce Hwy(M1) for approx. 90km
• Turn right onto Beckmans Road
• At the last roundabout, turn left onto Noosa-Eumundi Road and follow signs for Noosa Heads

FREE GO NOOSA WEEKEND BUSES

Lastly, getting around Noosa is fairly easy. There are ample taxi, ride-share and ferry options that will take you to all the hotspots!

There is also the FREE GO NOOSA WEEKEND bus service which offers a relaxed and convenient travelling experience that helps locals and visitors better access busy locations at peak traffic and parking times.

For timetable information on routes 626, 627, 628, 629, and 632 visit Translink or call Translink on 13 12 30.

Please note: Routes 620, 622, 630 and 631 travel outside of the Noosa Shire Council area and are not included in the free service.