Driving and surfing around Australia...

Hello there, Currently in the planning stage of my 2010 journey to Australia and would like peoples experiences and ideas of travellin solo!

Ok... Question time!

1) Route to take... Im planning on heading out in Feb 2010, where is the best place to start and which way to go?

2) Buying a vehicle... I'm going to be buying a motor out there, possibly a campervan? i will need a good runner, one that i can sleep in and one that will safely transport the surfboard i will be buying out there too! (expensive trip already ha!) what type of motor would be the best to buy and wheres the best place to buy??

3) Backpack, what is the best type and size to take? I am 6"3 and medium build!

4) What are the Essential things i need to take or plan?

I will thank in advance for any replies! even if you can just answer one of the questions or give me your own experiences, would be grateful!

Jaryd

You'll probably want to start in the south when it's warmer. Fly into Melbourne. There are some small surf towns and beaches west of geelong and melbourne. then make your way up towards sydney as it gets colder. lots of surfing there.then up towards noosa heads, surfers paradise, and byron bay. I want to say the surfing stops north of noosa heads but I've been told you can find some surf in a few spots farther north up until dolphins heads but...it's probably not going to be as consistant as byron bay and the towns around the middle of the coast. ask around when you get there. oh look into agnes waters and town of 1770. that might be good too. I skipped it though.

I'm not a huge surfer, and I follow the warm weather so idunno there might be good waves in the south in the colder months if you don't mind cold rough seas. I was in torquay in april and I did see people surfing but man it was cold.

Just briefly, make sure you have some mosquito repellent, some ear plugs, and that your van has some good curtains for privacy. Also, when you park your van at night be sure to think about where it is in relation to the sunrise. There's nothing worse than waking up hungover at 6:00am with the rising sun in your face and your van as hot as a sauna, whilst getting bitten by mosquitos.