Point Hicks
- Advanced riders
- Best for
- Expert
- Skill Level
- Swell
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Point Hicks is a remote, exposed point break on Victoria’s far-eastern coast, located within protected marine national park country. Surfing here is best described as wilderness, with the on-water experience shaped by the need for the right swell to wrap around the headland. The break is reported as a right-hand point that can offer long, peeling walls when it activates. Reported working swell is from the south to southwest, with one provided window of roughly 2.0 to 4.0 meters. The wave is characterized as powerful, and the spot is generally suited to very experienced surfers (advanced/expert levels). Access is via a long unsealed road from Cann River, and the provided material emphasizes limited services and extremely limited mobile reception. Parking is available at the lighthouse and nearby campground tracks, but the data also indicates that beach-level access is not clearly confirmed for typical entry. Safety is a major theme: hazards include rocks, submerged reef, and strong rips/currents, plus shark activity. There are no lifeguards and rescue availability is reported as none, while conditions are also described as high-energy with twice-daily tides. Respect marine national park rules and restrictions, including limits around camping and drone use.
- Remote wilderness surfing in protected park settings
- Exposed point break with consistent surf (when conditions match)
- Historic lighthouse area nearby for context and views
- Pretty consistent, high-quality point-break surfing when conditions align.
- Pristine wilderness setting within protected park country.
- Generally very quiet due to long road access and isolation.
- Remote location with very limited services and no surf infrastructure.
- No on-site rescue services.
- Exposed conditions with high-energy waves and strong tides.
- Hazards including rocks and sharks.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Gradient — Prevailing northerly winds are often influenced by broader systems (reported as gradient).
- Reliability
- low
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- April, May, June
- Shadow Zones
- Significant wind shadow behind the headland and dense forest.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell
- Beach
- Mixed
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Medium
- Launch
- Medium — Beach access points near the lighthouse and surrounding campsites are mentioned, but overall launch access is described as limited/remote.
- Launch Difficulty
- Difficult — Launch is described as difficult by one source; another describes moderate access difficulty overall.
Through the year
Can be busier during school holidays and Easter, otherwise usually very quiet.
Winter and spring can be wet and subject to cold fronts.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed point break in a wilderness setting; requires substantial south swell to wrap into the bay. When it works, it can produce long, peeling walls.
- Optimal Swell
- S, SW
- Swell Height
- 2–4 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed point break.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore in North to Northwest winds; cross-shore in West winds.
- Bigger Swell
- Handles large swells well; needs significant energy to wrap around the headland.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Pretty consistent surf reported on the East Coast.
- Wave Power
- Powerful
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Long — Long rides when the swell size is sufficient to connect sections along the point.
- Ride Length Details
- Can offer long rides when the swell size is sufficient to connect the sections along the point.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Point Hicks in the full forecast view.
Point Hicks wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–17 ktsGusts 32 kts
- Direction
- WSW245°
- Strongest day
- Mon, Oct 2617 kts
- Windy days
- 5/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.9–3.2 m8s period
- Temperature
- 10–30 °C
Over the next 7 days, Point Hicks is forecast for daytime winds of 2–17 kts, peaking around 17 kts on Monday, October 26 with gusts to 32 kts. The prevailing direction is WSW. Waves run 0.9–3.2 m with a period of about 8s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- rocks
- sharks
- rips
- submerged reef
- isolation
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No
- Emergency Info
- Nearest hospital is in Orbost or Bega; emergency help is a long distance away. In an emergency call 000.
Rules of the spot
Marine national park regulations apply; respect park rules and restrictions. No designated sport zones.
- Marine national park—access may be restricted; camping only in designated areas.
- No designated surf zone.
- Drone usage restrictions apply in National Parks.
- No fishing or motorized activities likely restricted.
- Remote, wilderness coastline with limited/no surf infrastructure.
- Avoid surfing alone; heavy shark activity is reported.
- Be prepared for high-energy waves and strong tides.
- Carry essentials and allow for no nearby services; mobile reception is extremely limited or non-existent.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Cann River
- Nearest Town
- Cann River
- Parking
- Parking is available at the Point Hicks Lighthouse and nearby campground tracks; Lightstation Carpark at the end of unsealed Point Hicks Road.
- Public Transport
- Extremely limited; a private vehicle is necessary.
- Access
- Approximately 7 hours east of Melbourne via the Princes Highway to Cann River, then south on Point Hicks Road to the unsealed road leading to the Lightstation Carpark; from there, a walking track climbs through coastal heath to the lighthouse. No direct beach access is confirmed in the provided data.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — National Park campsites at Thurra River and Mueller River; lighthouse keepers' cottages.
- Food & Drink
- None available at the spot; nearest supplies are in Cann River.
- Equipment Rental:
- No equipment rental available within the immediate region; visitors must bring all their own gear.
- Gear Storage
- Storage is limited to personal vehicles or campsites; no formal storage available.
- Gear Repair
- None available nearby.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A historic 19th-century lighthouse offering tours and spectacular views of the rugged coastline.
Marine national park extending 9.6 km of coastline offshore to state limits, including Whaleback Rock and Sensation Reef, accessible by short walk from Point Hicks Road.
Historic intact lightstation complex constructed 1888–90, part of Victoria’s third lighthouse building campaign.
Historical site commemorating the first sighting of the Australian mainland by Captain Cook's crew.
10.5 km moderately challenging hiking trail from Thurra River Dunes to Point Hicks Lighthouse with coastline views.
Extensive coastal hiking trails through the wilderness of the Croajingolong National Park.
Large sand dunes perfect for exploring and offering unique views of the river and ocean.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Point Hicks?
The best overall months at Point Hicks are April, May, June, July, August, September, October. The best wind months are April, May, June.
Which wind directions work at Point Hicks?
Point Hicks works with N winds.
What skill level is Point Hicks suitable for?
Point Hicks suits these riding levels: Surfing: Expert.