About Newcastle surfest
Newcastle Surfest acknowledges the Awabakal people as the traditional custodians of the land and water at Merewether.
A National Surfing Reserve, Merewether is rich in aboriginal culture and is still used today for traditional Awabakal resources and teachings. The Sea Eagle is the Awabakal totem, a story linking sky, land, and sea. We pay our respects to the Awabakal people, their Elders past, present and future and extend this acknowledgement to all first nations people.
Burton Automotive Newcastle Surfest, presented by Bonsoy, is the largest surfing festival in the southern hemisphere, with more than 800 male and female competitors from across the globe competing across nine events throughout May and June, culminating with the opening event of the 2025 World Surf League, Challenger Series from June 1-8. The festival is made possible thanks to the support of our partners, including Burton Automotive, the NSW Government and Destination NSW, City of Newcastle, Port of Newcastle, Reflections Holidays, Newcastle Airport, and many more.
Burton Automotive Newcastle Surfest, presented by Bonsoy, features nine events, including the Mutual Bank High School Challenge, Sanbah Cadet Cup, Newcastle Pro Junior, Surfest Indigenous Classic, Evolution Charity Cup, Burton Automotive Super Sunday, and the Burton Automotive Newcastle Surfest Challenger Series, presented by Bonsoy.
Merewether Beach was crowned a national surfing reserve in 2009 and is home to festival patron and Australia’s most accomplished men’s world professional surfing champion, Mark Richards (1979-82). The four-time world champion was voted as the most influential Australian surfer (1963-2013) at Surfing Australia’s 50th anniversary.
