The Deck.
The longboard point break at Crescent Head, a National Surfing Reserve
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Crescent Head Surf Accommodation

Seven minutes
to the point.

A surf house above one of Australia's great longboard waves — the Crescent Head point, a National Surfing Reserve. Walk down, paddle out, walk back. Rinse the boards. Repeat.

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The wave

A National Surfing Reserve, at the bottom of the hill.

The point at Crescent Head is one of the longest right-hand longboard waves in the country — mellow, forgiving, and peeling all the way to Killick Creek. Declared a National Surfing Reserve in 2008, it suits everyone from a first-timer on a foamie to a seasoned longboarder. The Deck sits seven minutes' walk up the hill.

A surfer's base

Set up for surf trips.

Walk to the line-up

Seven minutes downhill to the point — no driving, no parking, no fuss. Check the swell from the deck before you even wax up.

Boards & wetsuits sorted

Outdoor shower (hot and cold) to rinse the salt, a rail for the wetsuit, and a garage to keep the longboards safe overnight.

Sleeps six

Two queens and a room with two singles. Bring the crew, split the house, and still have the deck for the post-surf debrief.

Dawn-patrol ready

Nespresso and a 900mm cooktop for the early start, a wood fireplace for the cold ones, Starlink to check the forecast.

When to come

Surf all year, best in winter.

The point works year-round, but May to August is when the south-easterly swells line up cleanest. The Malibu Classic — Australia's classic longboard contest — rolls into town each year.

Plan a winter surf trip

Malibu Classic accommodation

Local knowledge

Where to surf.

The point is the headline, but there's more — the back beaches south of town, Killick, and the spots that turn on with the right swell.

The best surf spots near Crescent Head

Reading the point

What makes it break.

The point is a sand-and-rock right-hander that can run a couple of hundred metres on the right day. Four things decide whether that day is today.

Swell direction

East to south-east is what you want. The point needs swell that wraps in around the headland — a straight easterly closes out the bay and does nothing for the wall.

Wind

Westerly offshore is the magic ingredient, which is why winter mornings are the pick. By mid-morning in summer the nor'easter is usually in and the point goes soft.

Tide

Less critical here than at most breaks — it works across the tide range. Lower tides tend to sharpen the sections; higher tides make it fatter and friendlier for a longboard.

Size

Small and clean is the classic Crescent day — long, slow, endless. As it gets bigger the inside gets rocky and the current running back out along the point gets serious.

Worth knowing before you paddle out: there are submerged rocks on the inside and the current along the point can move quickly when there's size. It's a friendly wave, not a soft one. If it's your first session here, sit wide, watch a set through, and let the regulars show you where the take-off sits.

Before you book

Surf trip questions.

How far is the point from the house?

Seven minutes' walk downhill. You can see the swell from the deck before you decide whether it's worth waxing up, which saves a lot of wasted trips.

Is Crescent Head good for beginners?

On a small, clean day it's one of the friendliest waves in New South Wales to learn on — long, slow and forgiving. It gets less forgiving as the size comes up, and there are rocks and current on the inside, so beginners are better off on the sand at Front Beach when it's bigger.

What board should I bring?

A longboard or a mid-length is the right tool most days — the wave is made for it. Bring a shortboard or a fish as well if there's real size in the forecast.

When does the point work best?

May to August. The wave wants an east to south-east swell with a west offshore wind, and that combination lines up most reliably through winter. It breaks across all stages of the tide.

Does it get crowded?

Yes, when it's on. It's a well-known wave and a National Surfing Reserve, so a good winter swell brings people from up and down the coast. Dawn patrol is the answer — and the house is close enough that you can be first in.

Where do I keep the boards?

There's a garage for overnight storage, an outdoor shower with hot and cold water to rinse the salt off, and a rail for hanging wetsuits.

Direct booking

From $250 a night. Direct from the hosts.

Live calendar. No double bookings. Hosts answer in under an hour.

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From$250 / night
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