Newcastle Surfest

Bioglan Newcastle Surfest, presented by Bonsoy, is the largest surfing festival in the Southern Hemisphere, bringing more than 800 surfers from across the globe to Newcastle's beaches across nine events.

First held in 1985 to showcase Newcastle's beaches and surf breaks to the world, Surfest has grown from a local contest into one of the longest-running professional surfing competitions. The program spans grassroots, junior, amateur and elite surfing, including the High School Challenge, Cadet Cup, Newcastle Pro Junior, Evolution Charity Cup and the Surfest Indigenous Classic, a celebrated event that draws large crowds to its opening ceremony.

The festival culminates at Merewether Beach, a National Surfing Reserve, with the final stop of the World Surf League Challenger Series, where the world's best up-and-coming surfers compete for a place on the elite Championship Tour.