As summer begins to show its face in Australia, there is nothing better than making the most of your weekends or time off by journeying up and down the coast in search of waves and a good time.

Having recently moved to Australia myself, one of my favourite things about the country is the ability to drive a few hours north or south on the weekend for a new adventure. You can feel like you’re on holiday and immerse yourself in different cultures without even booking a flight or rummaging through your draw to find your passport.

If you’re looking for somewhere new to explore this summer, there is no better place than on the Coffs Coast. The mid-north coast is a wave rich playground with plenty of uncrowded nooks and crannies if you know where to look. Head to the south facing Bonville Headland aka ‘Southies’ to seek shelter from those pesky Nor-East winds and if conditions align you can expect plenty of fun wedgy beach break waves. Finish the day with a few beers and a Southies Wood Fire Pizza on the headland. If conditions align and you get the perfect combo of Easterly swell and offshore winds, check out Sawtell Beach or head to Park Beach at Coffs Harbour which is located conveniently close to various accommodation offerings, as well as a number of cafés and restaurants.

Aside from the waves, the region plays host to some of the most picturesque scenery on the East Coast. Head to Macauleys Headland or Diggers beach for a true taste of what nature in the area has to offer.

If, like me, you’re new to the area then what better way to learn about this part of Australia than through the ‘Swell Chasers: Surf Stories from the Mid North Coast’ exhibition which is opening up at the City of Coffs Harbour’s Yarrila Arts and Museum from 23 November. The exhibition is free and will be on show until 2 February 2025.

The exhibition aims to explore the history of surfing in the region and how it has left an everlasting impact on the culture of the area. It will include a selection of boards from the region that date back decades, as well as the work of photographers, writers and artists who have all contributed to surfing on the Coffs Coast through their work.

“Whether you’ve grown up around the beaches or just made the annual haul to the North Coast for a summer holiday, this exhibition will be a must-see,” City of Coffs Harbour Mayor Nikki Williams said.

“Swell Chasers is the story of us – seen through the lens of a national sporting pastime.”

Some key figures involved in the exhibition include Gumbaynggirr and Bundjalung artist Otis Carey whose work has been central to his life, alongside surfing. Yes, he absolutely rips.

Work from photographer John Witzig will also be present. John was central to framing and shaping surf culture through the 60s and 70s. Other key contributors include artists Mark Sutherland and Mulga the artist, as well as photographers Duncan McFarlane and Bob Weeks.

“From the very late 1950s, when modern surfboards (we called them Malibus) were becoming more readily available, Sydney surfers began to make trips to find the perfect waves of their imaginations, and ‘surf trip’ entered the common vocabulary,” Witzig said.

“There were some fine discoveries made, especially in the early 1960s, and maybe equally as important, this search introduced a whole generation of surfing teenagers to the joys of our coastal country.

“Gradually, small communities settled around some of the better surf breaks and the populations of some of the small country towns weren’t quite as enthusiastic about the invasion as the surfers were.

“In time though, the local people began to know the new arrivals as neighbours, and acceptance grew. It was progress… and this is what the Swell Chasers exhibition celebrates.”

City of Coffs Harbour Planning and Communities Acting Director Ian Fitzgibbon added: “We did a callout to the community and the surfing industry for memorabilia and we were swamped by a king tide of contributions.

“The materials and memories came from hardcore surfers and just everyday people who’ve always had a thing for this popular culture – which is globally significant, especially here on the NSW North Coast.”